EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Elliott Robinson, Director, Dept. of Social Services
Elsa Jimenez, Director, Health Dept. (Dr. Edward Moreno,
Health Officer, Alternate)
Katy Castagna, CEO, United Way Monterey County (Josh
Madfis, Alternate)
Marcia Parsons, Chief, Probation Department - Chair
(Todd Keating, Alternate)
Nancy Kotowski, Ph.D., Superintendent, Monterey County
Office of Education – Vice Chair (Deneen Guss, Ed. D,
Alternate)
MEMBERS
Amie Miller, Behavioral Health (Marni Sandoval, Alternate)
Charles McKee, County Counsel (Annette Cutino, Alternate)
Dan Baldwin, Community Foundation for Monterey County,
(Laurel Lee-Alexander, Alternate)
Dean Flippo, District Attorney (Jeannine Pacioni, Alternate)
Eduardo Ochoa, Ph.D, CSUMB (Cynthia Holmsky, Alternate)
Elizabeth Modena, Superintendent, Gonzales Unified School
District
Francine Rodd, Monterey County First 5 Commission
(Beth Reeves-Fortney, Alternate)
Jayanti Addleman, Monterey County Free Libraries
(Berenice Astengo, Alternate)
Jean Goebel, Housing Authority of Monterey County (Joni
Ruelaz, Alternate)
Jeremy Dzubay, Public Defender
Jody Hansen, Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
(Kathi Speller, Alternate)
John Rose, Community Volunteer, Business Sector
Kari Yeater, Superintendent, North Monterey County
Unified School District
Kristan Lundquist, City of Salinas
Lori McDonnal, Special Kids Crusade
Lori Medina, Department of Social Services
Robin McCrae, Community Human Services
Schools (Theresa Rouse, Alternate)
Shannan Watkins, Child Care Planning Council
(Mary Johnson, Alternate)
Stephen Bernal, Sheriff (Matt Luther, Alternate)
Supervisor Jane Parker (District 4) (Colleen Beye, Alternate)
Timothy Roberts, Judge, Superior Court, Juvenile Division
(Sam Lavorato, Alternate)
Valerie Barnes, M.D., Child Abuse Prevention Council
(David Maradei, Alternate)
Walter Tribley, Ph.D., Monterey Peninsula College
(Catherine Nyznyk, Alternate)
STAFF SUPPORT
Elizabeth Balcazar, Administrative Secretary, Probation Dept.
Vanessa Robinson, Impact Coordinator, United Way
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
United Way Monterey County
Thursday, March 2, 2016
60 Garden Court, Suite 350, Monterey, CA
7:30 – 8:30am
Call in number:
(605) 475-3250
Access code: 327272
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Introductions, Marcia Parsons
Public Comment for items not on the agenda (limit to 3 minutes per person)
2. Administrative Items:
a. Approve the minutes of the February 2, 2016 Executive Committee
meeting. –Attached
3. Information/Discussion:
a. Update on Bright Beginnings, Nina Alcaraz – Attachment 3A
b. Council Members terming out – Attachment 3B
4. General Assembly Agenda Setting
Public Comment for items not on the agenda (limit to 3 minutes per person)
Action Items:
o Approve the minutes of the February 13, 2015 Monterey County
Children’s Council meeting.
o Accept alternate appointment for Katy Castagna, United Way
Monterey County to be Josh Madfis.
o Accept alternate appointment for Robin McCrae, Community Human
Services to be Shirley Milleco.
o Update on Bright Beginnings, Nina Alcaraz
o Council Members presentation:
o Lori McDonnal, Special Kids Crusade.
o Marni R. Sandoval, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health, Children's
Bureau
5. New Business/Announcements
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 6, 2017
Mission
The Children’s Council provides leadership and policy direction to
encourage the development of a comprehensive and collaborative
delivery system of services to children and youth in Monterey County.
Executive Committee
Monterey County Children’s Council
Thursday, February 2, 2017
60 Garden Court, Suite 350, Monterey, CA
Members Present: Marcia Parsons, Katy Castagna, Nancy Kotowski and Elsa Jimenez
∞ Conference Call: Elliott Robinson ∞ Staff Present: Vanessa Robinson ∞ Others
Present: Nina Alcaraz and Francine Rodd
Welcome
Parsons called the meeting to order at 7:33 AM.
Administrative Items
Jimenez moved to approve the minutes of January 5, 2017. Castagna second the motion.
Motion passed.
Information/Discussion:
Bright Beginnings Update, Alcaraz reviewed her report and submitted it in writing. She went
over updates regarding analyzing the data for the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment and
continued alignment with Bright Beginnings and Bright Futures. WestEd is assisting to analyze
the data. The board discussed this topic.
The Board of Supervisors presentation went well. Alcaraz will follow-up with all Board of
Supervisors individually. Alcaraz also reviewed the success of the Gonzales CAT. CATs have
requested more peer to peer learning. Cross-sector learning is scheduled for February 24,
2017. The Executives were encouraged to attend. The board discussed this topic.
Rodd shared the Bright Beginnings/Bright Futures Plans and Next Steps. She submitted her
report in writing. The report went over how Bright Beginnings, Bright Futures, and Children’s
Council can work together under the same leadership umbrella. The board discussed this
topic.
Robin McCrae from Community Human Services (CHS) will be presenting on runaway and
homeless youth- services and housing. The Executive requested that McCrae review what
services CHS provides for youth with mental health needs. Mental health is one of the
strongest needs in our community and maybe an opportunity to develop an initiative.
General Assembly Agenda Setting
Agenda for the February General Assembly meeting was confirmed.
New Business/Announcements
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 8:27 AM.
Attachment 3A
Early Childhood Development Advisors Group
Background:
The Bright Beginnings Advisory Group (currently called the ‘Backbone’) consists of a combination
of staff from Bright Beginnings, Bright Futures, and Children’s Council representatives. Bright
Futures is now at the stage where it is establishing ‘Subject Matter Expert’ groups to support the
goal areas. There would be quite a bit of overlap for persons involved in the Bright Beginnings
Advisory group (current Backbone) and a ‘Subject Matter Expert’ group for Bright Futures. There
is also a general need in the county to have a group that represents the interests of various
initiatives and organizations operating in the early childhood and development arena.
The Recommendation:
Establish a joint Early Childhood Development Advisors Group with the Steering Partners involved
with Goals 1 (Early Care and Education) and 2 (Kindergarten Readiness) for Bright Futures which
includes: Francine Rodd, First 5 Monterey County, Shannan Watkins, Chair Child Care Planning
Council, and Josh Madfis, Vice President Community Investments -- United Way. All of the
Steering Partners work for organizations that are members of Children’s Council.
At a recent meeting of the Steering Partners for Bright Futures, they approved a general
framework for the “Goal Area Advisors” that recognizes that the design of each advisory group
(there are 7 goals) needs to flexibly meet the needs the goal(s). They approved a framework that
has been adapted below to meet the needs of Goals 1 and 2. It has been reviewed by the Bright
Beginnings Backbone and the list of recommended members was generated with the input of the
Bright Beginnings Backbone. Children’s Council Executive Committee input is now sought
regarding the establishment of the group.
Charter of the group:
To provide guidance and support on the strategies and approaches implemented within the goal
area to ensure the vision is achieved.
Composition:
 Experts in research, learning, and development (best and promising practices, etc.)
 Practitioners working in the field (teachers, administrators, providers, business, faculty,
etc.)
 Lived experience stakeholders or representatives holding the voice for parents and
students who engage in intentional strategies for authentic engagement of those
stakeholders
 Bright Futures Steering Partner Leads and other Steering Partners interested in this goal
area and the co-Chairs of Bright Beginnings.
Governance:
 Collaboratively identify chair(s) with Steering Partners and Bright Beginnings leadership.
 Group would align governing principles with Strive/Bright Futures/Bright Beginnings
 Group would align with the overarching vision of the 7 Community Goals (which includes
Bright Beginnings).
Page 1 of 4
Attachment 3A
Boundaries of Authority and Responsibilities of Goal Advisors
Authority to:
 Design and maintain a comprehensive ‘roadmap’ for strategies and projects in the goal
area.
 Serve as a responsive sounding board for implementation teams/workgroups
 Organize professional research and learning opportunities and public communication
opportunities in the goal area.
[This group would NOT – make decisions about resource allocation or need to approve the
work of the implementation teams. The implementation teams/workgroups would be
empowered to do their work but/and would use this group as a sounding board and resource
as they implement their work to ensure the outcomes of the project are maximized (e.g. shared
ownership; alignment with holistic vision, etc.)]
Responsibilities-Roles:
 Establish, maintain, and update a comprehensive ‘roadmap’ for strategies and projects in
the goal areas.
o Participate in root cause/key driver mapping
o Weigh in and guide sequencing and prioritization of strategies/projects
o Preliminarily scope for new projects
o Provide guidance and serve as a sounding board for project implementation teams
(workgroups)
o Recommend potential resources for funding for implementing projects
 Organize professional research and learning opportunities and public communication
opportunities in the goal area.
o Share relevant research and best practices
o Showcase community bright spots
o Host a ‘Results Showcase’
Page 2 of 4
Attachment 3A
Potential Early Childhood Development Advisors Group Members:
Quality Matters Steering Committee (pre-existing group of early care experts):
CSUMB -- Deedee Peres--Granados, CSUMB Associate Professor
Hartnell -- Mary Johnson
MPC -- Carol Karian, MPC ECE Chair
Child Care Planning Council -- Shannan Watkins, Chair CCPC, Janeth Rojas
R&R – Maria Ortiz (FFN and R&R)
Family Resource Center – Noemy Burnside Loveless (State preschool)
Head Start – Sonia Jaramillo (Alternate: Dora McKean)
Family Child Care Provider – Gabriela Jara (private provider)
Migrant Seasonal Head Start -- Angie Ramirez (Head Start and State Preschool)
State Preschool -- Josefina Silva, Greenfield Unified School ECE Manager (Head Start and State
Preschool)
MCOE – Jamie Valenzuela-Mumau, Cathy Cranson, Eliza Gomez
First 5 Monterey County – Francine Rodd, Beth Reeves Fortney
Additional ECD Community Members to support additional perspectives (some names are
duplicate from above):
Bright Future Steering Partners – Francine Rodd, Josh Madfis, Shannan Watkins
Children’s Council – Ed Moreno, Shannan Watkins, Francine Rodd, Marcie Castro (DSS
representative)
United Way – Josh Madfis
CCAEYC – Central Coast Association for the Education of Young Children (already included
above)
Private Pay/Faith based site – Melody Park; Lutheran; Shoreline?
FRC – Noemy Burnside
Family Friends and Neighbor – Mayola Rodriguez, Program Manager, Go Kids Alisal - Nuevas
Posibilidades
Mental Health – TBD
Services to the families (speech therapy, developmental support) – Children’s Medical
Services or SARC (0-3)
Resources for the direct service providers to help children – WIC TBD
Parental voice – who can come during the day and hold the voice? -- Gabriela Jara? Head
Start Policy Committee member (Dora McKean to help ID)?
K-Elementary Teacher Rep – check with Jamie on this
Superintendents? –Representative at the Superintendent’s meeting
Number = approx. 27 (persons with multiple roles were counted once)
Page 3 of 4
Attachment 3A
Professional Development Training/Capacity Building for the group:
 Results Based Accountability/Leadership – how to work in ways that promote:
o coordination, collaboration, ownership, servant leadership
 Key Drivers/Levers/root cause analysis
 Design Thinking
 Best Practices in Scoping Projects
 CQI -- PDSA
Backbone Staffing:





Project Manager(s)
o Bright Futures (Early Care) Program Manager
o Bright Beginnings (School Readiness) Program Manager
Data/evaluation/research (best/promising practices, data for root cause analysis, etc.)
Facilitator
Communications
Administrator Logistics
Page 4 of 4
MEMORANDUM
To:
From:
CC:
Date:
Re:
Attachment B3
Marcia Parson, Chair, Monterey County Children’s Council
Vanessa Robinson, United Way Monterey County
Monterey County Children’s Council Executive Committee
March 3, 2017
Council Members Terms and Attendance
4/8/17
4/8/17
6/30/16
4/8/17
4/8/17
4/8/17
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
E
x
x
alt
alt
alt
x
x
x
X
x
x
x
X
E
x
x
x
1/9/2017
E
12/12/2016
Baldwin, Dan
Hansen, Jody
Lundquist, Kristan
McCrae, Robin
Modena, Elizabeth
Yeater, Kari
Agency
Monterey County Free Libraries
Community Foundation for
Monterey County
Monterey Pen Chamber of C
Parks and Recreation
Community Human Services
Superintendents Council
Superintendents Council
11/14/2016
C
C
C
C
B
B
1st Term End Type
4/8/17 Member
10/10/2016
Name
Addleman, Jayanti
9/12/2016
Cat
C
8/8/2016
The following is a graph of council member’s terms that will expire in April. An “X” indicates the
member attended the meeting. An “E” indicates the member was excused from attendance, as
he or she provided advance notice of an inability to attend. An “ALT” indicates that alternates
attended the meeting. A blank cell indicates neither member nor his or her alternate attended
the meeting.
alt
alt
alt
x
E
x
x
x
x
Per the bylaws of the Monterey County Children’s Council (MCCC), adopted by the Board of
Supervisors on April 8, 2014:
“A member in category C serves a 3 year term with a maximum of 2 continues terms.”
“Terms: Members appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the Superintendent’s Council
shall serve three year terms beginning July 1 of each year.”
Category C members
 Jayanti (library) has been serving on the Children’s Council since 2007, she is willing to
continue as a member or have her position replaced.
 Dan Baldwin (Community Foundation) is willing to continue his second term with Laurel
Lee-Alexander as his alternate.
 Kristan (Salinas parks and rec) is continuing her second term.
 Robin McCrae (Community Human Services) is willing to continue her second term with
Shirley Millico, CHS's Youth Services Program Officer, as her alternate.
 Jody Hansen Category B members
 Kari Yeater - “there a need to have new representatives to serve.”
 Elizabeth Modena -