1crayon.jpg (10866 bytes)  May 18, 1999 -- Meeting Summary

9:00am - 12:00 noon

Satellite Room

The Radisson Inn

SeaTac, Washington

 

Commission Attendance
Mona Lee Locke and Melinda French Gates, co-Chairs; Don Brunnell, Kim Cook, Robbin Dunn, Sheri Flies, Peter Jackson, Marty Jacobs, Mary Ellen O’Keeffe, Dee Ann Perea, Yvonne Ullas, Lawrence White, and Kyle Yasuda .
Special Guests
Martha Isler, Early Childhood Initiative
Joyce Wilbur, United Way
Meeting Summary
Robin Zukoski started the meeting with a few housekeeping items. Robin explained that today’s Commission meeting was being video taped so absent members would have a chance to see the presentation by the guest speakers. Robin asked the public to speak into the microphone so that their comments would be recorded.
  • The Commission has received a state appropriation for $500,000 from the state general fund. Robin also indicated that the Commission would receive an additional $500,000 from the state if matching private funds are raised.
  • The RFQQ has been mailed out and bids are due back on May 28th. We hope a decision will be made prior to the June 15 meeting.
  • The Commission’s web site is up and running. The web site address is www.wa.gov/governor where you click on the icon for the Commission on Early Learning.
  • There is a correction to the April 20 meeting summary. It was written in the minutes that Sangree Frolicker "supported" the Children’s Bill of Rights where in actuality Ms. Frolicker liked the "idea" of a Bill of Rights but thought that the Bill of Rights should be part of a larger document that included a Parents Bill of Rights.
  • Commissioners will soon be receiving Invitations in writing to the Democratic Governor’s Association lunch on June 25th. Robin Karr-Morse, author of Ghosts from the Nursery, will address the Governors.
  • On June 21, Dr. Bruce Perry from Baylor Texas will be meeting with legislators. Commissioners are also invited to this meeting. The meeting takes place from 9:30 am – 11:30 am at Renaissance Madison hotel in Seattle. *This event has recently changed, the speaker will be Dr. John Marcellus from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
  • There is a Parenting Conference – Open Door Families - June 2 – 4 hosted by the Northwest Family Resource Center. If you’re interested in attending let Robin or Jennifer know.
  • Lizabeth Shorr, author of Within our Reach, is speaking on June 4 at the Lake Burien Presbyterian Church.
  • The June meeting will be very important. Our facilitators Sheila Frasier and Marsha Connor will be back to help us focus on the few items we are working on and focus on future actions.
Melinda Gates noted that the three goals the Commission has focused on are very broad. During the June meeting we will decide what we really want to accomplish. She asked Commissioners to think about where we are and what specifics do we really want to tackle.
Mona Locke then introduced Martha Isler, who is the Director of the Early Childhood Initiative and Joyce Wilbur, vice-president at United Way of America in charge of major gifts.
Presentation Summary
Martha Isler explained that the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) first had to make the case as to why children birth to 5 are so important. They focused on several areas:
  • Special Benefits – focused on what was the social benefit and return on investment.
  • Researched the birth to 5 population – low income versus middle income.
  • Brain Research that shows how the early years are most important to a child’s development.
  • What is the significance of early care and education and how this can improve a child’s chance for success.
The ECI has extensive corporate involvement. ECI created a business plan based on the recommendation of business leaders. They felt that a general report was not significant enough. They wanted a plan that was laid out that people could buy into and see measurable results.
The ECI had to revisit their purpose. How did they want to define themselves?
  • They wanted to make sure they identified the eligible population.
  • They didn’t want another pilot program and reminded themselves not to reinvent what they already knew.
  • They didn’t want to just fund a few programs that would reach a few kids – they wanted to bring it to scale.
  • They did a cost benefit analysis that showed that $500 million dollars was being spent on all the issues surrounding the failures of current systems.
  • They focused on a 5-year scheme.
  • They felt that with these items, and several more they were developing a compelling case for a government partnership.
  • Developed a systematic evaluation process.
The ECI created a list of non-negotiables. These were issues and items that must occur without exception.
  • They wanted neighborhood based decisions because each neighborhood had unique needs.
  • They wanted make sure they had parent involvement and responsibility.
  • They wanted to reach high quality standards – NAEYC standards.
  • They wanted parents to commit a minimum number of hours per year.
  • They focused on assessments of all children.
  • They created a systems goal.
Systems Goals - Objectives
  • Build capacity to enroll 7600 children most at risk.
  • Establish highest quality.
  • Create a system out of chaos.
  • Public sector buy-in.
  • Enlist mentoring neighborhood lead agencies to reach goals.
ECI organizational goals
  • Quality assurance
  • Community Relations
  • Policy and information
Collaborations
Funders:
  • Foundations
  • Corporations
  • Individuals
  • Government
Quality Assurance
  • Parents
  • Lead Agencies
  • ECI Management Team
  • Evaluation team
  • Dept. Public Welfare
Agency Collaborations
  • Providers
  • Early intervention
  • Family support
  • Government
  • HeadStart – not required to be licensed.
  • Health care
  • Trainers
Special Focus
  • Career development
  • Inclusion
  • Health
  • Parent education
  • Literacy
  • Forms and Records
ECI fills in the gaps where one program stops and another starts. They focused on standardization of information. For example, there was no transfer of information on a child from preschool to kindergarten. All health information on a child is now transferred to kindergarten teachers.
ECI uses several different types of evaluations to check status and get feedback. They focus on the children by way of developmental surveys; they conducted parent, community, and management surveys.
Implementation
Keys to success
  • A community mobilization that assures, by the turn of the century, that low-income children will be successful in kindergarten and beyond.
  • Vision must include: a logical subsidy system, rate structure, family friendly streams, support for professional development, infrastructure report, corporate environment, and commitment to quality.
  • The task is to create one system that is easy to use
    - identifying the incremental steps is key – you can’t do it all at once.
  • Know what is needed
    - key experts to work with policy makers to define steps
    - assessment of what "is"
    - recommendations for what should be
    - birth to 8 agenda
Joyce Wilbur
Program Developments
  • Feasibility study
    - getting people to buy in is constant process
  • Board confirming studies
    - External study was most important – what does the community think?
  • Business plan
  • Campaign impact – where are the other agencies on this – keep all groups engaged
  • Public sector – most challenging – they overestimated the influence of the business community at state level and underestimated the power of bureaucracy already in place.
  • Individuals campaign & entrepreneurs campaign – 24% of funding
  • Corporate campaign - 7% of funding
  • Private foundation campaign – 55% of money came from this group
They targeted foundations early on and left some out. It is important to focus on all foundations. Ask for their input and advice.
Corporations – they had to go to CEOs and foundation executives. Assess who the leaders are that carry most credibility.
Make your plan a cocktail party conversation after going to the leaders – get those leaders talking to their friends.
During the ECI "quiet" phase they
  • refined the vision
  • worked on the weaknesses
  • asked community leaders to help carry the ball when they were tired.
Early donors are heroic
Make sure you have measurable goals and show them how is this different – throwing money at an old problem can be a big hurdle.
Mardi Isler noted that the first 32 pages of their business plan is graphic and detailed – the rest supports the vision through data and research.
Recommendations:
  • Be in it for the long term
  • Continuous improvement: implement lessons learned as you go.
  • Keep focus on quality
  • System goal is crucial
  • Public awareness/ education
  • Maintain optimism
Discussion
Mona Locke thanked the guest speakers and asked Ms. Isler if she could elaborate on what the Early Childhood Initiative is.
Mardi explained that they issued a request to 80 neighborhoods (went to all agencies) for a "neighborhood plan". They asked these neighborhoods to get together and survey parents and kids, and find out what they would want.
ECI explained what the non-negotiable items were and then asked that the neighborhoods propose to the ECI their plan – then committee structures decided if it will be funded or not. The group running the new programs wouldn’t have to pay back, for example, the construction of a new building.
Melinda Gates asked how they got the word out to these local groups.
Ms. Isler indicated that they reached out locally through public meetings and libraries.
Mona Locke then asked what funds the ECI started with.
Joyce Wilbur explained that the Heinz Foundation committed 3 years of funds to the project.
Mardi Isler noted that they had 38 million with a goal to raise more private funds.
Mona Locke noted that "selling" to people requires accountability.
Mardi Isler responded that their accountability system is two fold. They have an outcome-based system and financial accountability system. Money does matter – training, salaries and benefits. Reporting fiscally is a big part.
Mona Locke then inquired about selling the children side of it.
Mardi Isler responded that low-income kids are not succeeding as well as middle class kids. There are developmental statistics in the county. They are seeing children who come to kindergarten (even with middle income) that are a year or two behind.
Mona Locke asked if each individual child is followed.
Mardi Isler explained that each child is measured against norms and against themselves 3 times a year and a parent assessment is conducted two times a year. This is observation not table top testing.
Kyle Yasuda asked if the delayed kids being detected earlier.
Mardi Isler responded yes, ECI is helping to accomplish that. There are some parents who don’t want their kids labeled as delayed to get the service; therefore they don’t use it. ECI provides the service and work with the parents to bring them into the system - fill the gaps. ECI provides a developmental milestone checklist so parents know what the child should be working on. This is also good for teachers – it helps them know where the child has weakness etc.
Marty Jacobs asked if they could elaborate on training and quality assurance
Mardi Isler explained that training and career development of child care providers has three levels. 8th grade level, high school graduates, and higher education graduates. People without an AA degree can get training through a scholarship program. There is a 50-hour requirement associated with this. It is comprehensive but still just the beginning. To help with quality assurance anything that someone missed can be provided. If someone misses something one week they can get it the next. Caregivers have weekly meetings.
Robbin Dunn asked about their goals and resource percentages.
Mardi Isler explained that the lead agency level is the main layer (9 staff). They have 18 quality monitors but will be expanding as necessary. The reporting is based on capitol (operating alone) and with lead agency management. Quality assurance is one of the visions that they have focused on to sell to the state and foundations - even when the ECI disbands.
Sheri Flies asked Ms. Isler if she could chose one program what would it be?
Mardi Isler responded she would choose the quality assurance system and have an add-on for those who met standards to be able to give more money for those that meet it.
Mary Ellen O’Keefe inquired about to what degree they partner with families and parents.
Mardi Isler responded that every way they can. Parents have been fundamental to deciding what goes in each area. Parents were sought out and surveyed about their needs.
Mona Locke asked if parent education is a big part of their project.
Mardi Isler explained that parent education is a huge part of their project. They felt that this is what they wanted to leave in each community. If there are problems they wanted parents to know how and where to go.
Mona Locke asked if the interest level is high on behalf of parents.
Mardi Isler noted that it was very high before welfare reform. Before welfare reform parents had more free time. Then the scramble hit to get into and out of job training and now that level of free time has changed. Many parents are now responding that they want more quality and free time to spend with their children.
Peter Jackson asked if the ECI got more than money.
Mardi Isler indicated that the ECI first asked for clout and advice, and then money.
Sheri asked about CEO involvement in integrating a family friendly work place.
Mardi Isler explained that one CEO they asked for advice had done that already. The company already focused on a family friendly workplace and acknowledged that high quality child care is related to high moral and productivity. They had this for 6 years prior to the formation of the ECI.
Joyce Wibur noted that the ECI didn’t ask for more than leadership and money. They needed to stay focused. Spreading out into to many areas would be to distracting.
Peter Jackson noted that when the sunset phase occurs and ECI hasn’t changed public policy these foundations might not continue to support ECI efforts.
Joyce Wibur acknowledged that they must continue to promote public policy. One main reason they sought out clout is to help push public policy.
Peter Jackson asked what percentage of kids were eligible for the program.
Mardi Isler responded that 80% of the kids were eligible. She indicated that the number of kids in public housing is staggering. They wanted to get high quality services here.
Mona Locke noted that our Commission is focused state wide, and that we are attempting to reach all children, not just at-risk children. She asked "What is your best advice?"
Mardi Isler responded that she believes a state-wide focus is better in terms of changing public policy. This area has been more work for them. Focus on quality – don’t do anything unless it is quality. You don’t want to waste money on something that wont change the outcome. Change is very incremental. Focus on where you start – if you start with one piece which one is it?
Marty Jacobs indicated that the piece we choose needs to be part of the global vision and goal.
Melinda Gates asked if their budget was based on per-neighborhood or per-child.
Mardi responded per-child based on the type of service they needed. They were told to focus on cost drivers. What does it cost to do these services per-child. It is about $8,000 per year per child.
Kyle Yasuda asked about how the pediatric community was involved in the process – how did they engage them.
Mardi Isler explained that they worked with the American Academy of Pediatrics to focus on all immunization and screening recommendations. Children who fall short are referred to programs to insure they get these healthy components. However, access is still an issue.
Peter Jackson asked how many people are on their governing board at the highest level.
Mardi Isler responded they have 4 of 18 neighborhood boards on the governing board.
Mona Locke asked how they are lobbying the public sector.
Mardi Isler responded that they have a network of people who lobby legislators. They feel they have done well this way.
Joyce Wilbur says this cultivation is extremely important – working with business leaders, legislators, and the Governor’s Office. They try and keep everyone up-to-date and informed.
Melinda Gates asked if United Way plans to bring this program to other counties if it proves successful.
Joyce Wilbur noted that the United Way highlights the ECI as one of 5 or 6 initiatives that are working well across the United States.
Mardi Isler noted that they are using Success by Six as an awareness tool – mailing information to parents. Success by Six has been doing spots for them.
Melinda Gates asked how much of their money is going toward public engagement or public awareness.
None. They have turned over public awareness and public engagement to Starting Points. There is no one now actively promoting ECI.
Mona asked for more questions. There were none. Mona thanked the guest speakers.
Melinda Gates then asked for report backs from each subcommittee. Referring to the reports she asked for a recap from each group.
Integrated Programs Subcommittee
Mary Ellen O’Keeffe noted that their primary recommendation is that the Commission focus on an assessment that focuses on three areas:
  • Family support and parent education
  • Health and developmental services
  • Early Childhood education and child care.
These inventories would be conducted by local organizations.
Marty Jacobs noted that we should also look at and identify the barriers to services.
Mona Locke asked if the group identified certain programs that seem to encompass what the Commission stands for.
Mary Ellen O’Keeffe noted that the parent education programs in the Community and Technical Colleges might be something to look at where a universal model could be adopted. In child care there is Child Care Resource and Referral that could be built upon.
Marty Jacobs noted that there are lots of good local programs too. The challenge is bringing something state-wide.
Mary Ellen O’Keeffe noted that another program to expand would be the PEPS program. Support systems are crucial in dealing with the stresses of life.
Melinda Gates encouraged the Commission to choose a focus which is something they can really get their hands on – something very tangible and concrete.
Kyle Yasuda feels that the challenge is the evaluation process – what is useful and can be used. This will be a key thing to promote longevity.
Melinda asked if the subcommittee feels like they are done with their work as a subcommittee.
Mary Ellen O’Keeffe responded that yes, and that they recommend to the Commission that we do an assessment.
Child Care Subcommittee
Sheri Flies noted that we want to do something concrete within the next year, but something that is really lasting probably won’t get done in a year. This is why the Commission has talked about the main goal of forming an entity. Maybe child care is the one concrete thing we do.
The child care subcommittee’s key recommendation is to work towards professionalization of child care providers.
Mona Locke suggested that the subcommittee should choose and prioritize their recommendations.
Sheri Flies suggested that we choose one item that we can really do well.
Mona Locke suggested that the child care subcommittee choose their top three priorities before the next meeting. Then the Commission as a whole can pick one.
Kyle Yasuda indicated that the collaboration and integration of the medical community is important and suggests that the Commission embrace any verbiage that would incorporate the medical community into the child care area.
Bill of Rights
Melinda Gates noted that there were not enough Commissioners for a quorum and we would therefore not vote on the Bill of Rights today.
Melinda noted that during the next meeting the Commission needs to discuss how we will organize ourselves to carryout the recommendations of the subcommittees.
Public Comment
Jim Niblett noted that an abstract out of Texas says that 95% of the time when kids can’t read it is traced back to kids who do not have binocular vision. This link between binocularity and literacy should not be overlooked. He would like to help the Commission to emphasize that weak systems in the brain can be strengthened through therapy. Teachers can spot these issues and do a screening. Then the family can decide what to do to support binocularity and enhance reading.
The meeting was closed.

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