HomeMy WebLinkAboutEarly Learning Minutes 06.05.2025 ASHLAND GENERAL
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING
MINUTES
June 5, 2025
Siskiyou IRoom-511 Win burn Way- 1,1:00AM
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to orcler at'1 1:05
Members present: Lisa,Verneir, Lynn IRansford,John Love,Jessica Theirke[sen,Joanie Kelleir-Hand, Nancy Seward,
Anne,Selbanc
Ais 1present:Council Liaison Dylan Boom crud staff Liaison Kerrick Gooden
1. C,onfirrn quorurn present
Confirme,d
2. Approval of draft rninutes,from 5.1.2025 (see agen,cla packet),
Verner moved to,approve minutes.IMotion seconded by Keller-Haind,.All ayes.,Motion passed
3. Suggested additions tiotoday III s agencla
no
4. Brief anniouincernents
Aran e,Selbancwas welcorne,d and introductions exchan,gle,d.
AC(Oregion Ghfldl IDevelopment Coalition)received funicling for the collo,catilonof childcare at the Sunstme
Hmsiibigi project.
The approve,d Biennial Ibu ill get includes the iteque stein$2351<for th,e Early Childhood Grant Program for the 2025-27
bienniurn
11. Pub[ic Forurn
none-no,mernbeirs of thie public were present.
Ti�mie-,Sensitiive New Busibess
1. Review and finialiiii,ze ,ain��no,unc,eim�,ein��t,of the Early,Childhood Affordbbilit ,Grant Progra m for
y
recornmen,clation to Council (gee algenda packet)
Changles from last yeairs program was cliscussfeicl. Decisions a nd�changes included:
to and liinformation thm ugh ounit the document were updatedl to refiect the Iprogram for thie next fiscal
year,,2025-26.
Program Funding: 'The committee clecided to leave the first-year program off eiringas it was last year- 'up
III
to$135K.
Progr urn,Structure:�Th,ecommitte,e discussedand clecilde,d to,leave final,grant awarcla par oval with the City
Manager following committee recommen ill ation as it was[ast ye,ar, i imp stea,d of requiring final Council
approval.
a, Eligibility:'Tlhie committee cliscussfed whether t itequire the Iprovision of a full-iclay pro,grarn, or to instead
consider scoring this higherasa,preference during review,.The committeeconsidere,d the important role of
Ili cense,d ho imp echildcare programs in meeting the nee,cls of infantsand toddleirs.The cornmittee cle,dicled to
add unider IEligiblity: add a number 5: Preference will Ibe given for progriarnsistriving to provide Will-
time 5-day-a-week care and those serving infants and/or tocidlers.
Discusse,d andll deci ill erJ to change Southern Gregon Median Income to Jackson County,IMeillian III corne-
The elligibility chaft will be up ill ate,d wit h mostcurrent available numbers for this.
Seward move d,to approvethie changes as reviewed Iby the committee.,Motion was seconded by Ransford.,
A,11 Ayes.Motion passecli.,
2. Id[enfify local providbrs to notify about-the g rant, prograrn application processain,d likely
d ea I i nes
The cornmittee cliscusse,d Iproviders that Ihaveexpressedl interest.The staff liaison iniotiiify the committe,e when the
program goes live,,so,that im embers canimruo�tif Iprovilders.
I'V. Continuatiion of'Busibess from May Mleefing
1. B,uisiiness,,,eni,giag,eim�,ein��t,work lan -finalize questionnaire an lan (seeagen,cla packet)
The cornmittee discusse,d th,e questions t�o,a Ibu inesses an ill,dec hill eicl:
Item a:�only ask.for thi imrumber of employeesand strike Ib,andc.
Add to,item f:addl an extra question iwth a write-in optiion:'What otherassistance,do you offer?
Item g:goodas-is
Add to,Rem H: 1If someonie else was willing to run achi ldcare program,would you be willing to,Ihave it
onsi-te?
The committee discussed using this questilonnaire for continuity with in-person iin terviews and/or as an onfine survey
for the purposeof,coilecting data regarding t1hie nieed for childcare as perceived Iby IIIocal b�usinies�ses.The
committee's final edits will be reviewed Iby t1hie Legal depa�rtment for approval to use.
A. Buisiness,es to,be apprioacfted
�B. Ques,'tions,tio be asked
C. D i scu ss'ti rn e I iiii n e fb,ir,th iiii s p roject,
2. Update chart,to reflect,progresson the commiftee's,short and longer term ,goals (s,eeagenida
packet)
This disc ussilon was Ipostponed until the July3 im eeting due to time constraints.
V. Adjiournment;�to,July 3 Meeting
1. Review and decide on grant progmrn recipient's-and awa,rd a,mouint's for reGOmrnenidat:ion�to,
Council
Committee discus:sed hoping to review applications for the Affordable Childcare Grant Progra �in itequested a
zoom link.for the July 3 impeeting t: irr uaximize the likelihiood of Ihaving a quorum to make funding decisions.
2. Finalize plan for iiiin"fie rviewinig lioc,41 businesses regarding childcare needs
I Co,ntinue dline cuss,iion�ion� cultivatinig future funding
4. S,ui,giges,,,tio,in��s,,,o,f,ot'her topicsfrorn committee memb,ers
n,onie fdrthcoming
5. Adjournment,
Thy irreeting was adjourned at 12:110pm