May Minutes

May 11, 2010

Early Learning Partnership

Board Meeting Minutes

Attending: Cherie Barton, Julie Case, Ouida Dest, Sylvia Echols, Tom Faulkenberry, Sue Gover, David Lisk, Jean Marshall, Susan Martoccia, Suzanne Merritt, Susan Roberson, Judy Sanford, Marc Sosne, Anne Suite, Jane Turpin, Jim Vining

Staff/Guests Present: Donna Wooldridge, Teresa Creech, Julie Durham

Sylvia, in Stephen’s absence, welcomed everyone to our monthly ELP meeting and thanked Julie for her hospitality in hosting our meeting.

Sylvia presented Judy Sanford and Susan Roberson with a framed certificate of appreciation for their services with Success By 6 and ELP. Judy has been with us for many years and through our transition as a non-profit organization. Susan has been a wonderful JWL representative and we commend their commitment to York County’s children. Marc Sosne has agreed to stay on the board another year to represent the superintendents. Thank you, Marc.

Stephen asked Donna to bring the board up to speed on the latest executive decisions at the Fort Mill School District that may affect ELP. She shared that a meeting was held with Dr. Callicutt and Dr. Epps and discussed possible options of keeping the integrity of these grants and programs that would be cost effective for the district. They were receptive to our proposals and will give us a final response on the 12^th of May.

Julie Durham, Fort Mill Family Resource Center Director and Family Literacy Coordinator, provided the board with the 2010-2011 LEAP AHEAD Parent Education and Family Literacy Major Accomplishments and Initiatives. The report included the number of children and families served last year in programs through home visits and parent groups, the number of at- risk families and children identified and served, as well as, special activities and new initiatives. Julie has developed a number of new and diverse partnerships to best serve the needs of her clients. Her Center served 13,932 individuals in the community last year and 339 Fort Mill School District children in the medical clinic. She reported that their annual cookout hosted by the Fort Mill Rotary was held on the 29^th and they had less of a turnout than in previous years. They hope to continue the home visits in the new year. They typically have over 1000 visits each year. That will obviously change with staff reductions. A volunteer has assisted with the large increase in ESL clients.

Sylvia Echols shared information about the plans for the new Children’s Museum. Van Shield, Executive Director of the York County Culture and Heritage Museums group, was one of the original participants in ChildWatch and shared our mission in his role of the importance of early learning. Sylvia shared the mission of the new Children’s Museum as: To prepare young learners and their families for the future by providing positive learning through creative play in a unique environment inspired by the art of Vernon Grant. The museum will be set up in age appropriate areas of experiential learning.

David Lisk, Executive Director of York County First Steps, gave the First Steps report. He shared he is now working on his renewal and budget spending plan. He is expecting a 10-12% cut and probably more to come. He anticipated that PAT will take a big cut. He doesn’t expect those cuts to affect ELP directly. He has sent a formal letter to the Fort Mill School District outlining expectations in terms of First Steps funds regarding conditions of the contract and hopes to get an immediate response. He discussed the Endowed Scholarship program and its 2 to1 match.

Suzanne Merritt reviewed the April General Ledger, assets and liabilities. Everything is in line for this time of year.

Julie Case updated the board on the Bowl-a-Thon fundraising activities.

We’re up over $10,000 for banner sponsorships. Today is the last day for all Banner and Silent Auction items. She reviewed the time frame leading up to and on the day of the BAT. Stephen will give opening remarks and Marc Sosne will present awards. A letter will be sent after Saturday to all sponsors thanking them and recognizing them for their contribution.

Teresa Creech reported on the number of children served through the Resource Centers and Medical Clinics for April 2010

Resource Center*		Medical*
Clover		24
Fort Mill		24
Rock Hill		35
York		21

*Unduplicated

The clinic was closed for a full week for Spring Break reflecting the decrease in numbers. Teresa reported that the Clover medical clinic numbers will improve with Head Start moving to the Resource Center Building. She hopes the Nurse Practitioner position will be funded by the SOM as the numbers support additional help for the doctors. There are other doctors in the community who are giving a day in the clinics when their schedule allows.

Donna reported the following for the month of April.

DPIL- we are back down to 3260 children because of a system cleanup from the Foundation

• Board unanimously voted to change the strategic plan
• From: Increase Quality Child Care Experiences to

Increase school readiness by providing children from birth to 6 with quality literacy experiences.

• York County Council Grant was not approved. Current programs were cut and they did not approve any new ones.

• Sisters of Mercy was submitted on April 1^st.- After a site visit, we are in the final stages of competition for a Nurse Practitioner
• Literacy Week-May 2-8 I had asked Dr. Martha to write an Ed Op along the theme- Gift of Books- Breaking the cycle of Poverty-Child By Child, Pediatrician By Pediatrician-Highlighting ROAR as a gift all parents can give and the importance or reading aloud and making books an integral part of their children’s daily routine. A copy of that is in your packet. Great Read!
• Stephen will be exploring the need for and various Director and Employee Insurance policies.

Other Business: Stephen Cox has completed 2 terms as President of this organization and is stepping down. Jim Vining will assume this position as the new President of ELP. Stephen will remain on the board. Marc Sosne will remain another year as the Superintendent’s Representative.

Submitted by Donna