Suffolk Early Childhood Development Commission Meetings

Date: Sept 07, 2022 Time: 2:00 to 4:00pm Location: City of Suffolk City Hall 442 W Washington St Conference Room 3 September 2022 Commission Meeting Members Present Members Absent Mark Furlo Tamie Rittenhouse Marie Baker Bonnie Maki Gin Staylor Terrance Johnson Sarah Townsend Kelly Donnell Shawna LoMonaco Guests Present Henry Dixon Melvin Bradshaw Lori White Jennifer Connor Catherine Pichon Lisa Milburn Stacie Prine I. Introductions/Welcome–Lori White called the meeting to order. II. Review Minutes-The commission reviewed the minutes from August 3, 2022. Marie Baker made the motion to approve the minutes, Gin Staylor seconded the motion. The vote to approve the minutes was unanimous. III. Coordinators Report: A. Child Care Numbers: Shawna reported Child Care numbers have stayed the same this month. 39 licensed and 13 unlicensed facilities in Suffolk. 29 of those locations accept subsidy. B. ECDC Update – Shawna shared the following: 1. Tech Distribution – ECDC has distributed 54 chromebooks to 27 locations. The next distribution will target locations more challenging to contact. 2. Upcoming Training – Raising the Bar is Oct 15th and ECDC is offering scholarships for local early educators. The Back to School Kick-Off with  Square One will take place Sept 10th and will focus on quality interactions as well as mindfulness. ECDC will partner with the Children’s Center to provide a parent workshop focusing on schedules, routines, and transitions for young children. 3. Deposit Collections – The current Early Childhood Deposit Collections serves nine child care locations. Five new Family Day Homes have recently been added and will be included in next month’s deliveries. 4. Community Conversations – ECDC has started a Group Me chat for Early Educators to network and share resources. 5. Upcoming Outreach – Volunteers are needed for two Suffolk Farmer’s Market events on Sept 24 and Oct 15. Additionally, Kiddie Day at Suffolk Peanut Fest will take place on Oct 7th and anyone interested in helping is more than welcome. Those interested should contact Shawna directly. III. Other Business: A. Finance Report: Shawna LoMonaco provided the most up to date budget. She explained the current remaining budget is 57, 197.49. B. Partner Update: Suffolk Public Library – Sarah shared the library’s new program calendar along with several new upcoming programs including Homework Help Fair. Shawna will share the digital flyers with the commission. Suffolk Public Schools – Stacie reported there are 434 early start slots with most filled. There are still 30-40 students not registered yet. Oakland and Norther Shores are fully enrolled. Melvin shared there are the schools will support Family engagement activities through virtual opportunities with the Virginia Living Museum focusing on Conservation efforts. STREAMin3 - Gin reported she has been working on the onboarding process with STREAMin3 and provided an overview of the curriculum. Obici – Lisa reported the Women’s Center childbirth classes are going ack to in-person, prenatal and birth numbers are increasing, sibling classes will also resume, Moms Matter is a program supporting new mothers experiencing hypertension with a focus on African American mothers. Lori explained Lisa will now oversee the Ready Set Grow Bags. Shawna will provide a list to the commission of the items within the bags. Parks and Rec – Mark outlined upcoming Parks and Rec programs including the start of the Before and After School program, Taste of Suffolk on Sept 10, and Movie in the Park at Holland Ball Fields on Sept 24. P&R invested in Conscious Discipline training for all staff and the fee for a youth rec center membership has been reduced from $10 to $5 per year. Mark reported the Lakeside playground project is complete with plans for the Pughsville and Planter’s playground projects to be completed this year. The Cypress pool will open next summer with renovations and the new rec center in North Suffolk is set to open around January. Lastly, outdoor fitness equipment is being installed along Suffolk Seaboard Trail. VQ – Marie shared the expansion of CLASS training to now include Prek-3rd grade and reiterated the  continued transition with Ready Regions. Family Day Homes - Henry shared the success of the Backpack/School Supply distribution at Magnolia Park and expressed the need for more support and encouragement for new family day homes and those just starting. He hopes to see the numbers improving throughout Suffolk. IV. New Business: A. 1KBBK: 1. Shawna reported that Kelly has worked diligently to revise and improve the current 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, now including more intentional and exciting incentives. The new program will launch in October. V. Adjourn: Our next meeting will be October 7, 2022