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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEarly Learning Minutes 03.06.2025ASHLAND GENERAL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES March 6, 20�25 Ad Hoc Committee on Early Learning and Affordable Childlcare I. Call to Order Call to order at 11:03am Members present: Verner, Therkelsen, Hyatt, Keller -Hand, Love, Ransfordl, Seward Council liaison present: Bloom Staff liaison present: Goodlen 1. Approval of draft minutes from 2.6.2'025 Motion made to approve minutes of 2.6.202'5 Motion: Love Second): Therkelsen All ayes - motion passed II. Election of Committee Chair Committee members provided and discussed nominations for committee chair. Motion made to elect Love as Committee Chair Motion: Hyatt Second: Keller -Hand All Ayes - Motion Passed. Staff Liaison will send a link to committee members regarding a free training webinar on puiblic meeting law offered by LOC Ill. Public Forum none IV. Business engagiement work pllan Committee discussed: Chamber of Commerce responded they could not release business list information - committee discussed alternatives. • The committee's childcare initiative was discussed as a priority at a recent Council retreat - adl-hoc committee will likely be extendled for one year to Jlune 30, 2026 - dliscussed provider reliance on public funding). • Economic development is anticipated to be prioritized - discussion of the possibility of childlcare/early learning as a subcommittee for any economic development committee that may be created: create draft proposal by Dec. 2025. • Communication to and from providers regarding changes and promotion of the childlcare grant initiative. Keller -Hand and Hyatt to contact providers about sending letters of support of the City Council. • Discussed positive impacts on families and ongoing provider need for assistance with behavioral issues. • D�iscuissed how to cultivate future fundingi for childcare grants, such as with an endowment fund, and approaching Rogue Federal and Evergreen Bank to explore possible financial tools. • Members discussed developing a list of questions as a business survey, including larger non-profit organizations such as OSF, Chamber, SOU and ASD- discussed developing a subcommittee for this. Verner and Therkelsen agreed to draft ideas for discussion April meeting. • Diiscuissed how to incentivize summer programs. • Hyatt participated in an interview with the Childrens Instituite in Portland: https://ch,illdinst,.org/our-work-ini-early-chilldhiood- development/comimunications/podcasts/ • Staff Liaison will bring this to City Manager's Office for consideration regiardling publishing on City's website or otherwise. V. Discussion of draft article for the Southern Oregon Business Journal Committee discussed edits for this draft. Love wouild like to finalize within a week so Committee can develop a recommendation to Council to publish in Souithern Oregon Business Journal and elsewhere as appropriate. Committtee discussed addingi a call to action for what businesses can do to further this work and an 'open invitation' to business owners for their perspective. Committee also discussed rendering a condensed version after finalization for additional distribuition as appropriate. V1. N�ew Business Seward spoke about the Make a Circle Documentary by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC is celebrating its Week of the Young Child April 5-11. Seward received a license for this documentary and will be setting up screenings at the library and is considering other venues such as SOU, RCC, and Mountain Meadows - makeacircllefillmi.com Committee discussed this may be a great preface for any endowment fund discussions. Therkelsen spoke about Trusted Homes Community Landl Trust (https://truistedhomescit.org) and the Sunstone Housing Collaborative (https://sunstonehc.org/) and their efforts for the potential development near the higih school incluidling plans for an onsite childlcare center. THCLT is co -applying for grants in conjunction with Ooregon Chiild Development Coalition (OCDC) to include spots for infants and toddlers. Vil. Adjournment Adjourned at 12:1 Opm