MINUTES

SUNNYVALE Child care advisory board

The Child Care Advisory Board met on April 24, 2007, in the West Conference Room, 456 W. Olive Avenue, at 1:12 p.m. with Kimberly Stewart, Chair, presiding. 

ROLL CALL

Board Members Present:      Angela Carmack, Manijeh Khazeni, Jacqueline Sell,
                                           Hilal Ozdemir ,Kimberly  Stewart, Lisa Taiz

Board Members Absent:       Maxine Shea, excused

Staff Present:                     Angela Chan, Youth and Family Resources Manager;  

                                                          Susan Suekawa, Youth, Family and Child Care Resources Program Coordinator; Monica Guerra, Senior Office Assistant

SCHEDULED PRESENTATION   None

CONSENT CALENDAR

1. A. Approval of Absence

1. B. Approval of Draft Minutes, 3/13/07, CCAB Special Meeting

1. C.  Select Recipients of the Award for Excellence in Early Education

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD     None

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

BOARD MEMBER TAIZ inquired about the large number of guests in the audience attending the Child Care Advisory Meeting.  Susan informed her that most were CARES participants  who were in attendance in order to complete a leadership activity.

Susan Suekawa introduced Monica Guerra, Senior Office Assistant as the newest addition toYouth, Family and Child Care Resources. The board warmly welcomed Monica. 

Susan Suekawa provided a quarterly update to the board.  She stated that she has been working on the study issue on special needs children.  She informed the board about gathering information from organizations such as Parents Helping Parents, Santa Clara County Office of Education, De Anza College, and First Five.

In cooperation with Parents Place/Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Palo Alto. the City of Sunnyvale is looking for ambassadors for their upcoming trainings to be scheduled in October 2007.  Ambassadors will engage families with children, disseminate information, and teach families how to access services in Sunnyvale.

Susan informed the board of one vacancy on the Child Care Advisory Board in July.  Applicants must have an affiliation with a community college, school district, or the County Office of Education.

The City of Sunnyvale Volunteer recognition event will take place this evening at the Sunnyvale Senior Center.  Susan expressed appreciation to all the board members, and hopes they can attend the event 

The Health and Safety Fair will take place on Saturday, May 12 at the Columbia Neighborhood Center.  The Sunnyvale Family Child Care Network will share a booth along with Susan in Youth, Family and Child Care Resources.  The Award for Excellence in Early Education will be presented by the Mayor to the recipients at the fair.

BOARD MEMBER TAIZ was pleased to see new nominations for the Award for Excellence in Early Education this year.  She was appreciative of staff’s outreach to public and child care centers to encourage nominations.  BOARD MEMBER SELL agreed with the statement.

BOARD MEMBER CARMACK AND BOARD MEMBER SELL suggested giving parents a City correspondence/cover letter and inform them about the Award for Excellence in Early Education next year.  This information can be distributed to parents with daycare newsletters or other announcements so that child care centers and providers can inform the parents,  but not feel uncomfortable about promoting the nomination for their day care, etc.  Suggestions were made that staff advertise in local newspapers and outside sources such as Bay Area Parent Magazine.  More parents will be aware of the criteria and the nomination process and make the Excellence in Early Education awards more successful.

BOARD MEMBER CARMACK motioned to resubmit one study issue that fell below the line: Explore the City’s role in supporting center-based child care programs seeking accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and to submit the new study issue, Consider Transitioning the Child Care Advisory Board to a Staff-Advisory Committee.  BOARD MEMBER SELLS seconded the motion.

Angela discussed the purpose of the Child Care Advisory Board and stated that the CCAB’s role is advisory capacity to City Council and City Administration to provide technical expertise on major policy areas related to child care. Board Members discussed how their level of expertise in the field of Child Development has been utilized by staff in assisting with operational issues, not policy issues. Angela Chan stated that she would include a copy of the Socio-Economic Element of the General Plan in the CCAB materials prior to the next scheduled meeting.  The City of Sunnyvale’s Child Care Policy will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. 

NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS

BOARDMEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS ORAL COMMENTS

BOARD MEMBER TAIZ commented on her absence for the special meeting on March 13.  Absence was due to the birth of her new grandchild, Maribela Carolina.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS

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

ADJOURNMENT:    2:14 p.m.