Meeting Summary
May 18, 1999
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 OKeeffe, 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 todays
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.
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:
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?
The ECI created a list of non-negotiables. These were issues and items that must occur without exception.
Systems Goals - Objectives
ECI organizational goals
Collaborations - Funders:
Quality Assurance
Agency Collaborations
Special Focus
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
Joyce Wilbur
Program Developments
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
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:
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
wouldnt 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 dont want their kids labeled
as delayed to get the service; therefore they dont 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 OKeefe 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 didnt 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 hasnt 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 dont do anything unless it is
quality. You dont 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
Governors 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 OKeeffe noted that their primary
recommendation is that the Commission focus on an assessment
that focuses on three areas:
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 OKeeffe 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 OKeeffe 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 OKeeffe 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 wont 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 subcommittees 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 cant 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.