WEST VIRGINIA CHILDCARE CENTERS UNITED
May 21, 2004

Minutes of Meeting

Present: President Helen Brown, Treasurer Tammy LaBarge, Sandra Panrell, Monica DellaMea, Karen Cochran, Ronna Teets, and Mary Quick

Mary Quick was asked and agreed to take the minutes in Secretary Michelle McFall’s absence.

Helen Brown called the meeting to order. Everyone introduced themselves. Helen reviewed her yearly report which was mailed or emailed to the membership last month.

Mary Quick read the minutes from the last meeting. They were accepted as read. Tammy gave the Treasurer’s Report. There is a combined balance of $5329.54 in both accounts but after bills are paid to Pat McGill and Mountainside Media, there will be only $256 left in the checking account. Karen Cochran made the motion to pay Mountainside Media only half of their bill now and half later after we hear word about our training grant. Mary Q. seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Mary Q. moved that a Corporate Resolution be made to authorize Helen Brown, President and Tammy LaBarge, Treasurer to sign checks on behalf of the WVCCU. Karen Cochran seconded the motion. The motion passed. Mary Q. will take the resolution to the bank.

Update on Current Issues

Pre-K: Only one county in the state has not turned in a plan. Some counties still resisting. It is likely to be an issue with the legislature in the fall.

PIECES: They have adopted a new logo. "Invest Wisely, Heart & Mind"

TANF Meeting: Last Thursday several WVCCU members attended the TANF meeting to show our concern for proposed cuts to childcare funding. The following recommendations for cuts will be made:

1. Cut-off for certificate qualification will be at 150% of poverty level and will not go over that.
2. Reimbursement for non-traditional hours will be cut in half.
3. Trails vans will be eliminated.
4. No reimbursement for children age 13 and over (special needs)

Discussion included concern that DHHR administration budget has increased by $5 million over 2 years. There is another meeting on May 26. Discussion on whether we needed to send representatives to the meeting. Sandy made the motion that we pay Pat McGill, our lobbyist, to be there. Karen seconded. Motion passed. Helen will contact Pat.

We will recommend that those at 150 to 185% of poverty level not be cut as these are tax-paying working poor. We also would like to encourage other directors who were not at last week’s meeting to attend.

Infant-Toddler Initiative: The group is working on developing new training curriculum for infant staff.

Curriculum Committee: There are 3 choice of curriculum for Pre-K classes: Creative, Step-by-Step, and High Scope. Enhancements may be chosen if they meet certain criteria.

Election of Officers

The positions of Vice President, currently held by Marsha Dawson, and Secretary, currently held by Michelle McFall, are up for election. Karen Cochran and Monica DellaMar volunteered to be the nomination committee. The election will be held at our fall meeting.

Children’s Coalition and Every Child Matters Committee

Helen will ask Michele McFall if she will be on the Every Child Matters Committee.
This committee works to keep us informed of the candidates’ positions on children’s issues.

Monica D. or Susan Miller of the Children’s Academy may be able to be on the Children’s Coalition.

Lobbyist

It was noted how helpful it has been to have a lobbyist at the legislature to champion our cause. However, there are meetings of legislators and state officials year-round in which decisions and policies are made or changed. If we wanted Pat McGill to be our lobbyist year-round and monitor events between legislative sessions, then it will cost us $6000, which we would propose sharing with the WVAYC.

Discussion ensued as to where the money would come from. Possibilities: Raise dues, ask directors to donate over and above their dues (Gold Members), look for grants that pay for advocacy. All present pledged $100 (or would ask their boards) towards the price of the lobbyist.

Planning for Fall Conference

Tammy LaBarge will Co-Chair with Helen the planning of the conference.
Locations discussed: North Bend State Park, John XXIII Pastoral Center

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