ELCC: Oversight
The Early Learning Coordinating Council (ELCC) 
is an interagency group that participated in the National School Readiness Project and now promotes collaboration to ensure that early childhood policy decisions, funding streams, and services are coordinated. The ELCC meets regularly to oversee the development and implementation of the KECCS Plan.
MINUTES OF EARLY LEARNING COORDINATING COUNCIL
Kansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund Conference Room
Landon State Office Building, Room 152
900 SW Jackson, Topeka, Kansas
Thursday, March 27, 2008
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Present:
Mary Baskett, Kansas Head Start Association
Doug Bowman, Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Developmental Services
Linda Kenney, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Janet Newton, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Brenda Nickel, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Gayle Stuber, Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)
&Jennifer Spencer, Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)
Leadell Ediger, Kansas Association of Child Care Resource Referral Agencies (KACCRRA)
Rita Gedney, USD 305 Heartland Programs (via telephone)
Rebecca Gillam, University of KS, Institute for Educational Research & Public Service
Bobbi Mariani, Kansas Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS)
Karen Beckerman, Kansas Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS)
Nancy Keel, Kansas Association of Parents as Teachers
Jim Redmon, Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund (KCCTF)
Dyogga Adegbore, KCCTF, Recorder
Jim Redmon opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.
Overview of the Grantee/Partners meetings in Baltimore, Maryland
Jim Redmon and Rebecca Gillam reported on the Early Childhood Partnership meeting
held March 13-14, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. The meeting was held a couple days after the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention/Promoting Safe and Stable Families (CBCAP-PSSF) meeting. Jim has scheduled a follow-up meeting with SRS PSSF representatives who were unable to attend the CBCAP-PSSF meeting. Parent leadership and evidence-based practices and evidence-informed programs were discussed.
NGA Grant Update
Rebecca Gillam reported that the National Governor’s Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices approved the Kansas application to participate in the National Symposium for Early Childhood Science and Policy, June 26-27, 2008 on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The application was submitted on behalf of the Kansas Governor’s office. Those states approved to participate will be taking a team of eight representing a bi-partisan, wide range of policy makers who understand and use a science-based framework for early childhood policy and funding decisions. Kansas is one of 14 states selected to participate this year.
NGA Early Childhood Advisory Council grant
Rebecca also reported on another grant application submitted on behalf of the Kansas Governor to the NGA for an Early Childhood Advisory Council.
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund will act as fiscal agent. If approved, the $10,000 award will be used to fund a consultant to help facilitate the early childhood governance model meetings and work process with the ELCC.
Professional Development environmental scan
Rebecca reported the KU Institute for Educational Research and Public Service completed gathering data for a professional development environmental scan. A first draft will be available at the April ELCC meeting.
Kansas Coalition for School Readiness Update
Mary Baskett reported that fellow Coalition members Cindy D’Ercole and Jennifer Crow were meeting with legislative leadership on early childhood legislation to be acted upon during omnibus and educating them about the early childhood block grant concept. By April 15, we should know how much money will be deposited into the Master Tobacco Settlement this year. Several groups are lobbying for MTS monies for their programs. The Coalition is looking at definitions for inclusion of the early childhood block grant.
Legislative Update
Doug Bowman reported there is a long list of early childhood legislation awaiting action by the Legislature. Mary Baskett reported that Early Learning Day was a success, and noted that many legislators and business leaders are talking in support of investing in early childhood programs.
KECCS Stakeholders’ meeting on May 28th in Salina
Rebecca Gillam circulated a draft agenda for the May 28th KECCS Stakeholders’ meeting. The meeting will be held again at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Salina. Some topics of discussion will include Parent Leadership, Integrating, Strengthening Families, the Kansas Early Learning Inventory (KELI) update, and Kindergarten Assessments. Leadell Ediger suggested coordinating a meeting following the KECCS meeting for ELCC representatives who will be working with the consultant on crafting the early childhood governance model process. Jim said he had a list of nationally known individuals who could be potential candidates for the consultant role.
Edit to the February 20, 2008 minutes
Gayle Stuber requested correction to the February 20 minutes under the KASB School Readiness Request heading. It was Dr. Martina Thompson (USD 501 Representative) who attended instead of Gayle.
Adjournment and Next Meeting Date: ELCC scheduled the next meeting for Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund office.
There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
February 20 , 2008
January 22, 2008
December 14, 2007
September 11, 2007
June 29, 2007
May 2, 2007
February 12, 2007
October 2, 2006
August 30, 2006
July 20, 2006
May 31, 2006
April 17, 2006
February 10, 2006
September 28, 2005
July 27, 2005
June 08, 2005