Suffolk Early Childhood Development Commission Meetings

Date: Nov 02, 2022 Time: 2:00 to 4:00pm Location: City of Suffolk City Hall 442 W Washington St Conference Room 3 November 2022 Commission Meeting Members Present Members Absent Mark Furlo Henry Dixon Marie Baker Bonnie Maki Gin Staylor Catherine Pichon Sarah Townsend Guests Present Shawna LoMonaco Melvin Bradshaw Carol Wilson Lisa Milburn Terrance Johnson Stacie Prine Tamie Rittenhouse I. Introductions/Welcome– Tamie Rittenhouse called the meeting to order. II. Review Minutes-The commission reviewed the minutes from Sept 7, 2022. No quorum present. III. Coordinators Report: A. Child Care Numbers: Shawna reported Child Care numbers decreased by 1 family day home facility. B. ECDC Update – Shawna shared the following: 1. During the month of October ECDC attended the Ready Regions Early Childhood Luncheon and provided outreach services and a balloon artist to Suffolk Peanut Fest’s Kiddie Day. 2. The Family Day Home Jump In program focused on Trauma Informed Care during the month of October with a presentation from Dr. Ward with  Blakey Weaver Counseling 3. ECDC provided 37 scholarships to the Raising the Bar Conference. An increase of 17 scholarships compared to 2021. 4. Cares Packs will be offered to all early childhood professionals during the month of November and ECDC is hosting a School Resupply Drive. Donations can be dropped off at any library location and donators will receive a raffle ticket for a gift supply organizer. III. Other Business: A. Finance Report: Shawna LoMonaco provided the most up to date budget. She explained the current remaining budget is 53,323.07 with Cares Pack supplies being the next purchase. B. Partner Update: Suffolk Public Library – Sarah shared the library is offering both virtual and hybrid events and shared flyers for the Black Panther event. The Chrombooks and hotspot give away is almost complete with only a few chromebooks left. SPL Delivers is a new service being offered for library users in the Holland area. Suffolk Public Schools – Stacie reported all slots have been filled and classrooms are well into CLASS observations with EC Special Education classes included. There is currently a vacancy at Hillpoint Elementary School for a PreK Teacher. Mr. Bradshaw shared SPS is hosting the virtual VA Living Museum event and currently promoting Family Engagement On Demand by encouraging families to access the website with a gift card drawing. Suffolk Social Services – Terrance added there is currently a fulltime position open in the childcare department. Children’s Center – Enrollment and staff vacancies are both up and families are struggling with a lack of resources. The Head Start locations will all have legislator visits soon. Obici – Lisa reported that October resumed in person for maternity tours and childbirth classes. January will resume sibling classes. Community Day will take place the first weekend in November. Half of the Ready, Set, Grow books have been purchased and Growing Up at Obici is also hiring. Parks and Rec – Mark outlined upcoming Parks and Rec programs including Suffolk’s Grand Illumination event, Festival of Lights at Sleepyhole Park, Kind in Motion (FB Live), Lunch with Santa, Holiday Parade, Holiday Jingle Mingle, and Santa Pottery Class. Additionally, the Pusghville Park renovation is complete and the Planter’s Park renovation has started. VQB5 – Carol mentioned the upcoming VAAYCE Conference in March with registration opening during the month of November. The commission expressed interest in providing scholarships for Saturday attendance. IV. New Business: A. Code and Bylaws discussion: 1. Suggestions made include changing the Library Representative title to Social Services  Representative; Replace At-Large Members with Head Start, Private School Representative, and an additional Hospital Representative, and Parent Representative; Change the NAEYC Representative to EC Professional Organization Representative; Change the Medical Services Representative to the Pediatric/ Medical Services to be more inclusive for children with disabilities. Bylaws conversation will continue next month. V. Action Items: 1. The commission discussed the possibility of Pruden Center or Paul D. Camp collaborating with DSS VIEW program to connect parents seeking child care to the EC profession. Terrance will send subsidies and income limits for childcare assistance to Shawna. VI. Adjourn: Our next meeting will be December 7, 2022