January 25, 2008

·         Waiting List - Currently have 250 children on the waitlist, 179 are age and income eligible.

·         Policy Council Parent Leadership Training was held November 30^th, governance training was provided and we will continue to provide those opportunities.

·         One concern is that our Parent site meetings do not have a great attendance rate.  The Head Start office has sent out postcards to try to increase attendance.  We have seen a slight increase in attendance.  Site meetings are held to lead parents to the process of Parent involvement in the school, PTO/PTA etc.

·         Data Collection and implementation - Working towards refining data collecting, new website with parent link. We had to compile data for the State of Indiana for the children’s Immunization records.

·         Family Summit on November 9, 2007 and 16 parental turnouts were good.  Hoping to hear feedback from those who attended.

·         Kathy is excited that the Head Start Consortium will be hosting their 1^st Fatherhood Initiative on Saturday January 26, 2008 at the Matterhorn Restaurant in Elkhart.  Pastor Greg Robertson,
Tony Rice guest speaker.  Breakfast and lunch will be served.

·         December Staff Training - Spent time reviewing goals, brain-based development, and challenging behavior in the classroom.  Staff was also recognized for perfect attendance and schooling that they may have completed as well as other various achievements.

·         Upcoming Plans - Began self-assessment.  It is an opportunity for staff, community members and policy council members to see where our strengths are and where our weaknesses lie.  Help to formulate strategic plan for the future.  Information is available in your packet.

·         Advisory Council meetings today January 25, 2008 see list of members in packet.

·         Recruitment for the fall term begins in March.

·         During the May board meeting a presentation for child outcomes will be given.  This will help to see how the Head Start children have grown.

·         Reauthorization - CFR 45.  Improving Head Start for School Readiness 2007 Act. Head Start Act will now reflect new laws or changes in the law.  Revised around 300 laws.  There will be a panel to help with reauthorization and training as needed.  See more info in the packet.

·         Kathy encouraged the policy council to strive for greater communication.  Those that meet on the advisory committees are encouraged to come back and share updates and reports with the rest of the council.

·         Timeline of upcoming tasks for our Head Start to complete is listed in your packet.  Kathy will be overseeing these tasks.  Hoping to prepare our Grant for submission by June.  Due August 1^st to HHS.

·         IN-KIND Report – We are a $5.3 million grant come up with $1.4 Million in IN-KIND.  These monies come from services provided by volunteers, the space provided from the school corporations to house the head start classrooms, some transportation services, Early Years Count Program, and the South Bend Community School Corporation Fiscal Department, etc.

Report on Indianapolis National Parent Conference – Dwight Noble

            Dwight Noble attended one day of the Parent Conference in Indianapolis in December.  Despite the weather 1400 parents was in attendance from throughout the United States and its Territories.  Over 248 languages are spoken throughout Head Start.  Most of the events were encouraging parent involvement.  The State Parent Information Resource Center has lots of great resources for parents, to help get involved in the community, and receive more education.  Also stressed get involved in PTO/PTA, schools, neighborhood associations.  Dwight will send a list of websites to Chris Gregorich to hand out at a later date.  Dwight also received information about RESULTS, a community activist organization that is trying to help end hunger for children in the US.  They encouraged parents to write to our government officials to influence change in government legislation.  Dwight enjoyed the trip, and hopes that there are more opportunities for parents to learn through Head Start.

            Policy Council Chairperson’s Report

            The minutes from the last meeting are enclosed for your review.

            Board Members Report

            The minutes from the last meeting are enclosed for your review.

V.        Action Agenda

08-0116-01 Approval of Personnel Actions included in Human Resources Report

A motion to approve the Personnel actions was made by Janine Larkin, seconded by Misty Mraz; motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

            08-0116-02 Approval of Distribution of Payroll, Summary of Actual Expenditures

A motion to approve was made by Krystal Anderson, seconded by Jody Auer; motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

            08-0116-03 Approval to Conduct an Annual Self Assessment

A motion was made to conduct the Annual self-Assessment by Jody Auer, seconded by Misty Mraz motion was carried by a unanimous vote.

VI.              New Business and Reports

No new business, but there was a question from Janine Larkin about Head Start recruitment and entrance during the same time as local kindergarten classes are being offered.  Additionally, how can more information get to parents about Head Start.  Kathy explained that she consolidated 12 enrollment plans into one standard plan and then only one style of form has been used since then.  Janine suggested that Head Start Staff might be able to attend local school kindergarten registration times.

Kathy also explained about having radio public service announcements about registrations.

Another discussion took place about how to change the time of site meetings and such to accommodate parents that work outside the home.

VII.           Adjournment

            Meeting was adjourned at 11:40am.

Respectfully submitted by:

Heather Saunders

Policy Council Secretary