Policy Council Minutes 2-14-2023
Submitted on: March 17, 2023Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Members Present: Carl Powe, Demetria Hall, Donnittia Robinson, Avis Neal, Quentoria Jones, Jennifer Ward, Rosalind Moss, Eric McCollough, Nina Kinnebrew, Janet Silva, Sheniqua Scott, Satyn Gardner
Members Absent: Donna Mansell, Paris Hill, Megan Sheppard, Donnicka Mayberry, Briana Money, Jessica Butler
Excused Absences: Angela Brown, Dorett Gunter
Prior to the Policy Council meeting, Ms. Vaughn informed the council that we received an outstanding report from last month’s FA2 review. There were no findings and/or non-compliances. Both, Ms. Vaughn and Ms. Hawthorne thanked the Policy Council for all of their hard work and dedication in preparation for the review. We will share the final FA 2 monitoring report as soon as it becomes available.
The 2022-2023 Policy Council officers are as follows:
Angela Brown Chairperson
Quentoria Jones Vice Chairperson
Jennifer Ward Secretary
Sheniqua Scott Assistant Secretary
The Policy Council meeting was then called to order by Quentoria Jones, Vice Chair, in the absence of Chairperson, Angela Brown. A quorum was met.
Election of Assistant Secretary:
Patrice Hawthorne informed the Policy Council that she had received a resignation notice from Jessica Butler, Assistant Secretary for the Policy Council. Ms. Hawthorne opened the floor for nominations. After discussion, nominations were solicited from the Policy Council members. Sheniqua Scott was nominated. Demetria Hall made a motion to approve Ms. Scott as the Assistant Secretary. The motion was seconded by Rosalind Moss. There were no opposes. The motion carried.
Quentoria Jones had to leave the meeting unexpectantly due to an emergency. Sheniqua Scott, assistant secretary, served as chair in her absence.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes from last month’s (January 2023) meeting were reviewed by the Policy Council (See Attachment). Satyn Gardner moved that the minutes be approved as presented. Demetria Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried. The minutes were approved.
Presentation and Approval of Personnel Report:
The Personnel Report was given by Tara Cannon, Director of Human Resources. We are recommending hire for 7 prospective new employees (See attachment); All applicants are subject to Background Investigation as mandated by the S.C. Department of Social Services. This includes State and Federal Background Investigation and the Child Registry Search to determine if any abuse or neglect has been made against a child and Pre-Employment Drug Screenings. Also, we will conduct reference checks on all prospective new employees. Appointments are conditional based upon the receipt of satisfactory references, state, and federal background investigation and approval from the Head Start Policy Council. Each full-time employee must serve a three-month introductory probationary period before obtaining regular appointment status. Substitutes are on an as needed basis. After discussion, Demetria Hall made a motion to approve the prospective new employees as presented. Satyn Gardner seconded the motion. The motion carried.
|
Program |
Name |
Position |
Location |
Education Credentials |
|
Head Start |
Maya Smith |
Health & Nutrition Facilitator |
Greenville Administration Office |
Associate Degree: Registered Nurse. Infant/Toddler. She has twenty-five years of experience working in the health field. She is a former SHARE Head Start Health Specialist. She worked as a nurse for the program 2.5 years. |
|
Head Start |
Alicia Davis |
Classroom Aide |
BHW |
Associate Degree: Art. She has a year of experience working with young children. She is a former SHARE Head Start parent. |
|
Head Start |
Jennifer Skidmore |
Substitute Teacher Assistant |
Pickens |
High School Diploma. She has 10 years of experience working with young children. She is a former SHARE Head Start Substitute Teacher Assistant. |
|
Early Head Start |
Regina Duggins |
Classroom Aide |
Watkins Road |
Master Degree: Business Administration. She has a year and a half of experience working with young children. She is currently a SHARE Head Strat parent. |
|
Early Head Start |
Sheldricka Gary |
Classroom Aide |
Pleasant Valley |
High School Diploma. She has three years of experience working with preschool aged children. She is a former SHARE Early Head Start Substitute Teacher. |
|
Early Head Start |
Jenny Alvarez |
Classroom Aide |
Pleasant Valley |
CDA: Infants/Toddlers. She has five years of experience working with children from infants to five years old. She is former SHARE Early Head Start Substitute Teacher. |
|
Early Head Start |
Tyland Allen |
Classroom Aide |
Watkins Road |
High School Diploma. She has 15 years of experience teaching preschool-aged children. She is a former SHARE Head Start Teacher. |
Approval of 2023-2024 Survey Recruitment Plan
Information about the 2023-24 Survey Recruitment Plan was shared with the Policy Council by Shaylunn Tolbert, Social Services Facilitator. She emphasized the intention to maintain the same services to children and pregnant women across the 4 service areas. EHS/HS service schedule of 7:30am to 2:30pm Monday-Friday, as well as EHS’s extension of services into the summer. She also addressed how some parents with children in EHS may no longer be income eligible when they re-apply for HS, and how that could impact enrollment. Janet Silva made a motion to approve the 2022-2023 Survey Recruitment Plan as presented. Rosalyn Moss seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Presentation and Approval of Director’s Report:
The Director’s Report was given by Shannon Vaughn, Director of Children & Family Development. She reminded the Policy Council members that they receive program reports from service areas each month to review prior to the scheduled meeting. Ms. Vaughn informed the Council that there was a research-based math initiative underway providing materials and training to 4-year-old teachers to enrich mathematics teaching in the classroom. Ms. Vaughn reviewed the information in the report sent out to Policy Council members, noting the classroom data, health surveys, and family engagement. She noted that enrollment goals were 1,003 for HS and 334 for EHS, for a total of 1,334. She addressed the on-going challenges with staffing and the need for credentialed and qualified applicants. She informed the council that there are currently 83 vacancies. She explained to the Council that the agency is considering a reduction in enrollment of 15 HS classrooms and 255 slots. The reduction would ease the current staffing crisis and allow the agency to increase salaries. No EHS closures are expected. Several Policy Council members inquired about the details of the closures, the nature of the funding process, and how staff salaries could be improved if classrooms were closed. Shannon Vaughn explained that information would be forthcoming about the new budget and enrollment numbers and classroom closures. The Policy Council and Board will have to approve the reduction plan. After discussion, Janet Silva made a motion to approve the Director’s report as presented. Rosalind Moss seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Budget Review:
Ms. Tammy Gore, Assistant Director of Business and Finance reviewed the Summary Expenditure, CACFP and the Credit Card Expenditure Reports (See Attachments). She explained that each month the Policy Council will receive the financial report and credit card statements. They will receive a copy of the detailed financial report quarterly. After discussion, Janet Silva made a motion to accept the Budget Report as presented. Demetria Hall seconded the motion. The motion carried.
No further business was noted, we moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned.
Recorded by Jennifer Ward, Secretary
Angela Brown, Chair