Champaign County Birth to 6 Council

Minutes

Attendance

Hollie Ronk (LIC Coordinator), Felicia Gooler (DSC), Mary Anne Wilson (Mental Health Center of Champaign County), Mary-alayne Hughes (U of I – Special Ed.), Brandi Granse (Champaign County Head Start), Stephanie Alumbaugh (DSCC), Jolie Carston (Caregiver Connections -Mental Health Center), Lynn Canfield( CCMHB), Elizabeth Glassgow ( Mental Health Center), Kimberly Hile (CFC #16), Jessica Lofu (CFC #16), Laura Czopek(U of I), Susan Fowler (U of I), Ruth Meyers-Dunnum (Washington Early Childhood), Cheri Adams (CCRS), Teresa O’Connor (U of I), Jennifer Sampson (Crisis Nursery), Beverly Baker (United Way), Ann Ambrose (Crisis Nursery), Nicole Seidman Sikora (Mental Health Center), Jim Dentino (Crosspoint Human Services), Ja’Nett Cross (Champaign Early Childhood)

Discussion

There was no prepared agenda for this planning meeting.

Jim Dentino explained the purpose of the Local Interagency Council and how Crosspoint intends to support the council.  He suggested that we continue using the Memorandums of Understanding for all council members as a way to clarify the purpose of the council and role of council members. He also reported that other councils have had success with parent involvement by utilizing parents as liaisons to the council in helping with special projects, rather than by having them attend monthly council business meetings.  Jim also suggested that we examine the need for the council to continue with the high cost website currently in use. He noted that it is using 2/3 of our annual budget each year.

All present discussed the potential of combining the work of the Birth to 5 Council with the United Way Social Emotional and EduCare work groups. Elizabeth Glassgow made a motion to combine the groups and Felicia Gooler seconded. All present unanimously agreed and the motion carried.

The need for leadership of the council was discussed.  The council elected Mary Anne Wilson and Nicole Sikora as council interim co-chairs.

Council members thanked Felicia Gooler and Christy Lee for their years of serving the council as co-chairs.

Beverly Baker suggested that during our first collaborative meeting with the Social/Emotional and EduCare work groups that we share our ideas and goals, find what our common goals are and proceed from there. Beverly also offererd to check to see if the Birth to 5 Council web site information could be housed on the United Way web site.

Those present were given copies of the current Birth to 5 Council bylaws and the group  discussed revising them by adding to the mission statement to include the missions of the other work groups to be involved and to list each work group included in the merger individually.

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2009 from 12:00-1:00 at United Way of Champaign County at 404 West Church Street in Champaign.  This meeting will be a brown bag luncheon.

Respectfully submitted by: Holly Ronk