SunnyvaleRTC

The Child Care Advisory Board met on January 23, 2007 in the West Conference Room, 456 W. Olive Avenue, at 1:00 p.m. with Maxine Shea, Vice Chair, presiding.

Board Members Present: Angela Carmack, Manijeh Khazeni, Hilal Ozdemir, Jacqueline Sell, Maxine Shea, Lisa Taiz

Staff Present: Angela Chan, Youth and Family Resources Manager; Stephanie Manfre, Temporary Youth, Family and Child Care Coordinator; Frances Tayam, Temporary Sr. Office Assistant

Guests Present: Mary Smith, Community Care Licensing Representative; Tim Kirby, San Jose Early Care and Education Commissioner; Karen Golosman, Sujata Krishna, Linda Medwin, Kathryn Randle, Santa Clara CARES program participants; Marilyn Pestano, Santa Clara CARES participant and Sunnyvale child care provider; Michelle Erlichman, De Anza College student

BOARD MEMBER TAIZ motioned to excuse BOARD MEMBER/CHAIR STEWART’S absence due to illness. BOARD MEMBER CARMACK seconded the motion.

BOARD MEMBER TAIZ motioned to accept the 10/24/06 minutes with no modifications. BOARD MEMBER SELL seconded the motion.

Angela Chan, Youth, Family and Child Care Resources Manager, introduced herself to the Board. The Board warmly welcomed Angela.

Stephanie Manfre, Temporary Youth, Family and Child Care Resources Coordinator announced her resignation, effective February 9, due to internal recruitment efforts.

Angela Chan provided an update of Child Care Resources staffing changes. The positions currently occupied by Stephanie and Frances are temporary until they are filled by permanent staff members. The permanent positions are currently closed promotional opportunities for full-time regular status employees of the City of Sunnyvale. Angela Chan explained the City recently completed a job study of the Coordinator position and expects to fill the position in February. She mentioned the impending layoffs for some NOVA staff due to revenue shortfall. Some NOVA staff could meet minimum requirements for the Coordinator position, but the exact number cannot be determined until the recruitment for the Coordinator position closes January 24. The Coordinator position could be opened to the public if internal recruitment efforts do not yield an adequate candidate pool. Angela Chan will keep the Board updated as the recruitment progresses. BOARD MEMBERS OZDEMIR and CARMACK recalled past lengthy and difficult recruitment efforts.

CCAB members reviewed the Work Plan for 2007. BOARD MEMBER SELL asked for clarification for the April 24 meeting, the item referring to identifying potential study issues to be forwarded to Council for December 2007 Study Issues Session. BOARD MEMBER SELL was confused by the April 24 item and the July 24 item that continues the discussion of potential 2008 CCAB Study Issues. Stephanie Manfre will make the clarification and inform CCAB of these changes to the work plan. BOARD MEMBER SHEA motioned to finalize the Work Plan for 2007 with modifications. BOARD MEMBER SELL seconded the motion.

Stephanie confirmed that the 2006 study issue to “Explore the City’s Role in Supporting Child Care Providers Serving Children with Special Needs” was approved for further study by the City Council at the December 15, 2006 Study Issues Workshop. A Report to Council will be submitted at the November 27, 2007 Council Meeting, but the date could be moved up. The study issue to “Explore the City’s Role in Supporting Center-Based Child Care Providers Seeking Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children” will not be studied this year due to limited resources.

Stephanie Manfre asked the Board for suggestions on what items to include in a survey that will be sent to providers on how to assist them with serving these children. The survey would need to provide a clear definition of who is a special needs child, i.e. a child with diabetes vs. a child who is visually impaired, and at the same time, help the City examine the current population of special needs children.

CCAB members offered the following recommendations for and purposes of the survey:

· Identify what are and address provider concerns about serving special needs children and what the ramifications are by doing so.

· Increase awareness on what types of training opportunities and resources are presently available to providers on how to work with special needs children.

· Educate providers regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws and accommodating children to ensure compliance with these laws.

· Provide assistance on how to work with parents by using them as resources for more information and contact persons.

Stephanie Manfre explained that site visits for 2007Award for Excellence nominees will not occur for this year’s awards program, as doing so would require modifications to existing criteria and any changes to the present criteria would require City Council approval.

Stephanie Manfre asked for any corrections on the Boards and Commissions Roster from December 2006. Minor corrections will be made and forwarded to the City Clerk.

· Next Regular Meeting: April 24, 2007, 1-3 p.m., West Conference Room, City Hall

Respectfully submitted,

Frances Tayam

Recording Secretary, Youth, Family and Child Care Resources

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