Commission Meeting Minutes. 9:00 AM 11:30 AM Conference Room A

Transcription

1 Commission Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 27, San Leandro Blvd. 9:00 AM 11:30 AM Conference Room A Commissioners Present: Chair: Pamela Simms-Mackey M.D., Vice Chair: Helen Mendel, CMD, Marge Deichman, Gilda Gonzales, Deborah Roderick Stark, Albert Wang, M.D. Staff Present: Mark Friedman, Janis Burger, Rebecca Gebhart, Teddy Milder, Deborrah Bremond, Elizabeth Ford, Christine Hom Chair Simms-Mackey called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. 1. Public Comment Chair Simms-Mackey reminded the public to complete public comment cards if they wished to address the Commission. There was no Public Comment. ACTION ITEMS 2. Approval of minutes from January 24, 2008 Board Action: The Commission approved the minutes from January 24, 2008 upon motion by Vice Chair Mendel, seconded by Commissioner Wang and unanimously carried (5 in favor, 0 opposed). PROGRAM 3. Community Grantee Presentation Janis Burger, Deputy Director introduced Tamara Katsikas, the Executive Director of the Junior Center of Arts & Science to present to the Commission. Commissioner Gonzales arrived at the meeting. First 5 funding supports the Little Leapers program, a series of free parent/child workshops that build school readiness skills through hands-on art, science, music and movement lessons. The funded program serves 3 to 5 year olds and their caregivers who are not enrolled in a regular preschool program. The program is offered at three different sites in Alameda County including the Junior Center of Art and Science at Lakeside Park in Oakland, Carmen Flores Recreation Center on Fruitvale Avenue in East Oakland and Bethel Community Church on Bancroft Avenue in San Leandro. Commission Meeting Agenda March 27, 2007

2 4. Community Grants Initiative Recommendation Janis Burger presented the Community Grants Initiative Recommendation to the Commission. The recommendation is that the next Community Grants Initiative (CGI) RFP be released after the Strategic Plan has been completed to link the grant funding priorities with the priorities set for in the new Strategic Plan. This would extend the awards for current grantees in good standing for six months, changing the end of term date from June 20, 2009 to December 31, The release date of the next CGI RFP would be changed from December 2008 to July 2009, with funding priorities in alignment with the strategic plan. The fiscal impact of the recommendation is $1,288,617 (25% of the current two-year CGI approved allocation of $5,154,469). Board Action: The Commission approved the Community Grants Initiative term extension for an additional six months through December 31, 2009 upon motion by Vice Chair Mendel, seconded by Commissioner Wang and unanimously approved (6 in favor, 0 opposed). 5. Update of Demographic Binder Teddy Milder, Director of Evaluation & Technology gave the Commissioners updates to the Demographic Binder including population based data, 2007 births to Alameda County residents, population trends, new excerpts from kidsdata.org, population based indicators, Corp recipient data and school readiness data. 6. Ethics Training Rebecca Gebhart, Director of Finance and Administration introduced James Harrison, First 5 legal counsel from Remcho, Johansen & Purcell, LLP. Mr. Harrison provided an overview of ethics issues including Proposition 10 legislation, conflict of interest laws, the Political Reform Act, Statement of Economic Interests, Incompatible Activities and SB 35 and AB 109 requirements Strategic Planning Approach Janis Burger introduced Mike Smith, CEO of Social Entrepreneurs, Inc. (SEI) The strategic planning process, facilitated by SEI, over the time frame of April 2008 through April 2009, includes five phases: Phase 1: Situation Analysis

3 Phase 2: Focus Area Selection Phase 3: Systems and Strategy Planning Phase 4: Operational Planning Phase 5: Plan Completion Commissioner Wang suggested inviting previous Commissioners to provide historical input on development of the next Strategic Plan, based on their understanding of and work on children s services for First 5 Alameda County. Board Action: The Commission approved the Strategic Planning Approach upon motion by Commissioner Deichman, seconded by Commissioner Roderick Stark and unanimously approved (6 in favor, 0 opposed). 7. Application for Federal Funds for Higher Education Ms. Burger stated that First 5 submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support higher education efforts in the county in response to a one-time federal funding opportunity that was made available through Congressman Pete Stark s office. The earmark will fund a Part-time Spanish Cohort Coordinator at Las Positas College, a Part-time Faculty Coordinator at Mills College, a Part-time Faculty Coordinator at California State University East Bay and scholarships for students. 8. Screening, Assessment, Referral, and Treatment (SART) System Update Ms. Burger presented the SART System update to the Commission and stated that a candidate to fill the SART Coordinator position has been identified. Commissioner Gonzales asked what First 5 s financial commitment to the SART program is. Ms. Burger responded that First 5 will contribute $200,000 per year for two years to support salary, benefits and program costs. It is expected that a portion of that will be reimbursed by Medi-Cal Administrative Activities, a federal funding stream. 10. State Commission and Association Updates Mark Friedman, CEO provided the State Commission and Association Updates. Mr. Friedman stated that he attended the State Commission meeting last week. Major action items included the renewal of the public relations contract with Rogers & Associates and a discussion on the statewide challenge of communicating a consistent message to the public about the work that all of the county Commissions have done over the years. Teddy Milder, Director of Evaluation & Technology presented the First 5 California State Annual Report. The report is a compilation of data collected from counties that participate in statewide initiatives that offer matching funds. Alameda County is

4 highlighted under Section 4-4 for efforts on maternal depression screening in the County. Because this Commission meeting is a public hearing, this presentation meets the state requirement that all counties must present the state annual report in a public hearing. INFRASTRUCTURE Budget Modification Correction Rebecca Gebhart, Director of Finance and Administration stated that miscalculations were discovered during entry and reconciliation of the approved budget (from the January 2008 budget modification process) into the financial management system. To ensure an accurate picture, the salaries and benefit figures have been corrected. The correction results in an overall increase of $227, to the Personnel line items, bringing Expenses to $28,189, Budget First Reading Ms. Gebhart stated that the Executive Committee reviewed the First Reading in detail at their meeting on March 21, The budget proposal covers the final year of the Strategic Plan and Program levels are at the same approximate level as the fist three years of the Strategic Plan Total Program allocation proposed is $22,104,395 which is in the range of the $24,067,000 in the Long Range Financial Plan guideline, approved in March 2007 The second reading of the budget and final approval will occur at the May 2008 Commission meeting Revenue and available funds decrease from $28,189,940 in the current year to $26,213,178. The primary reason for the decline is that State AB212 funds have not yet been committed and have therefore not been included in the report. In , AB 212 revenue was budgeted at $2,009,141 The proposed budgets administrative costs are well under the 10% administrative cap set by First 5; costs are segregated in to Program, Evaluation and Administration divisions according to guidelines and definitions set forth by First 5 California and the Government Finance Officers Association First 5 Financial Management Guide; administrative costs for are proposed at 86.98% for Program, 5.19% for Evaluation and 7.83% for Administration Fiscal impact of the proposed budget is $26,213,178 in expenses that will be funded by revenue and available funding of $26,213,178. Sustainability funds are projected to cover $5,515,228 of the expenses in

5 14. Long Range Financial Planning Ms. Gebhart stated that the Executive Committee reviewed the Long Range Financial Plan in detail at their meeting on March 21, For the proposed plan, actual revenue and expense figures from and budgeted revenue and expense figures for were updated (budget figures for were from the budget modification passed in January 2008). It is currently anticipated that the Strategic Plan will involve a decrease of $3 million annually (from $24 million to $21 million) in total program expenses As part of the Strategic Plan process, a more detailed Long Range Financial Plan will be developed extending the model beyond 2013 Board Action: The Commission approved the Budget Modification Correction, Budget Proposal First Reading and the Long Range Financial Plan upon motion by Vice Chair Mendel, seconded by Commissioner Gonzales and unanimously approved (6 in favor, 0 opposed). 15. Contract Authorizations Ms. Gebhart presented the Contract Authorizations to the Commission. Applied Survey Research approve a sole source contract for $50,000 from April 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 Social Entrepreneurs, Inc. approve a contract for $100,000 from April 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 Board Action: The Commission approved the a sole source contract for Applied Survey Research ($50,000) and a contract for Social Entrepreneurs, Inc ($100,000) upon motion by Vice Chair Mendel, seconded by Commissioner Wang and unanimously approved (6 in favor, 0 opposed). MISCELLANEOUS 16. Staff Announcements Mr. Friedman stated that this would be Commissioner Deichman s last meeting due to her retirement. He expressed appreciation for her work and service to young children and families and presented her with a plaque. Elizabeth Ford stated that two candidates had been identified to receive scholarships to participate in the EdD program at Mills College where First 5 is providing scholarships to students. Commissioner Gonzales left the meeting (11:08 AM).

6 Vice Chair Mendel left the meeting (11:11AM) 11. Legislation and Public Policy Title 19 Issues for independent First 5 agencies Ms. Gebhart stated that the Department of Health Care Services administers Medi-Cal benefits at the state level. Over the last 8 years First 5 has been claiming federal reimbursement where First 5 funds have been considered as match. However, independent agencies are not included in the definition of government agencies and under this, First 5 would not be able to claim for reimbursement. In addition, the agencies that First 5 funds who use the funds matching funds for claiming would be prohibited from doing so.. Sherry Novick, Executive Director of the First 5 Association is working on legislation to clarify the inclusion of independent agencies like First Communication from Commissioners Chair Simms-Mackey stated that World Conquerors Church in Oakland is hosting a Leading Ladies for School Readiness event on April 5 and she is the keynote speaker. 18. Adjourn Chair Simms-Mackey adjourned the meeting at 11:22 AM.