EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVIES MANAGEMENT MEETING

September 16, 2003

Tuolumne

Present: Monica Sloneker, Lisa Andal, Susan Bowe, Melanie Garcia, Rosalind Whitley, Cathy Gray, Dianne Dahlstrom, Donna Johnson, Marcie Bugera, Linda Botts, Lee Seaton, Kelly Menking, and Joan Ratzlaff.

Absent: Charity Stevens

1. Update Reauthorization – The bill is still in the Senate, Linda will keep us informed by e-mail.

2. Lap D – Cathy wanted to know how to handle the children that have not turned 3 year old within the 45 days of enrollment since they are really still 2 and all we have are Lap D’s for 3 yr olds. Marcie will order a few for 2 year olds kits like we do for the 5 year olds. Could we train other staff to do the Lap D’s? Yes that would be a very good idea. Do we need to ask licensing about having a 5 year old in the classroom? In some centers the license calls out 3-5 so there would not be a need to notify them, but if the license does not call 3-5 out we probably will have to get them involved.

3. I.D.’s & Signs – Donna J ask about new ID’s, Joan has not had the time to do this as yet. She will put it on her priority list, Roz will take pictures of the staff on the 24^th of September and Joan will have the badges ready then for the Tuolumne Staff, Amador staff will be done by Sept. 26^th. There was some discussion on the signs that identify our facilities now that we are called Early Childhood Services. Linda told the staff to come back next month with recommendations on what to do and how to do it.

4. Staff Morale – Cathy brought up the struggle everyone is having at the center levels in dealing with all the changes in the program and the new staff to be trained. Cathy is feeling very stressed out with new staff, the staff are really great and doing all they can to educate themselves in various areas. She just feels too busy to have quality time with the staff. The staff admonished each other that remember this is September and it will settle down. There were several suggestion given to assist the staff in accomplishing all that is need to be done. Dianne suggested more hours would help; Linda wanted to know how they would use those hours effectively to resolve the problems. Linda asked the staff to come back to the October meeting with ideas to help with in these stressful areas. The staff remembered putting together something of this type several years ago and turned it in to the Ed Manager, some of them would look for their input.

5. Marcie & Lisa Job Description – Cathy wanted a copy of the job description so that she could refer her staff to the right person when they had question. Marcie want the staff to talk to her she is available at all times for the staff to communicate. Lisa will do what ever is needed.

6. Conference in November, Focusing on Children – Susan asked who all would be going. The following people so far will be attending: Linda Mangrum, Christy Wayne, Becca Roberts, Marcee Raney, Annie Alesna, Lisa Andal, and Tammy Sorensen.

7. Classroom Aprons – Lisa indicated the aprons are ordered and have a two-week delivery time frame. She will need a list on how may each center will need. Please get that information to her by 9-26.

8. Portfolio Booklets for Kids – Dianne asked it we were still doing this? Marcie indicated nothing had changed in that area.

9. In House Observations – Kelly brought up the situation of Tracy not being able to do these as before and would it be possible for the LCT’s to be trained to do observations at each others site? What a great idea! Marcie and Susan will work on this.

10. TH Play ground – Kelly asked if we had a completion date for the playground. Marcie does not have a final date. What about the Soulsbyville playground? Marcie talked with Brenda and they are still trying to decide what would be the best and cheapest way to handle this project.

11. Family Advocate Opening– Roz announced that Marilyn Osborne has resigned and is moving out of the area. Mia will cover for her at Twain Harte and Shirley Walker will cover Twilight until a replacement can be hired. The job announcement is out and will close at the end of the month. Should be able to complete the hire process for the PPC October meeting. Amador is having interviews tomorrow for the Family Advocate in Jackson.

12. Amador Happenings – Linda stated that Even Start will be opening a center in Ione next to our center and we will be sharing a Family Advocate. In Jackson the Even Start Center will be in the lower level of the duplex.

13. Teacher II Open Hire – Marcie stated that the Shaw Flat and Twain Harte centers staff will change from LCT, 2 AT, CA to LCT, TII, AT, CA. Since the ATCAA policy state we must open hire for all position we cannot just promote from within without going though the open hire procedure. Some question regarding the Judith Smith being on an eligibility list and would she be able to fill one of those position without the open hire procedure? Lisa to check on this for Judith Smith.

14. Staff Working Sick – Kelly was sick the other day, could not leave because there was no one to cover for her, she tried the sub list and other teachers. What do we do when this happens?

15. Time of Meal Service – Monica needs these sheets to be correct. The LCT needs to check daily to see if this is being completed. Susan and Monica are working on a new directive to make every thing clearer. Monica also stressed we must order a meal for every enrolled child each day, unless you know they will not be there. Also the LCT needs to have a back up person to check things out at the end of the day in the event you are not available.

16. Shaw Flat – Melanie wanted to know the opening date, Marcie said as of today everyone is working hard to have the opening date of 10-1-03. Melanie had a lot of questions about working, lay off, home visits and etc. Marcie will talk with her after the meeting. Melanie would like to have an idea of when the following items would be there in the center: mats, computers, door on kitchen, office supplies (Joan and Melanie worked on this), food delivery, playground (Linda indicated that they were going after Prop 10 money but will have to have a history of success before they will give funds and we trust we can give them that information now since we are running the program), copy machine, fence for playground, dumpster (ask if we can use the school’s), budget for supplies (yes there is).

17. Twain Harte – Kelly asked about the toothbrush procedure since we cannot run them through the schools dishwasher. Susan gave her the directions.

Meeting closed at 2:30, Melanie will facilitate the next meeting.