Committee on Family, Health and Human Services Minutes
June 19, 2007
Committee Members In Attendance: Judy Myers, Chair, William Burton, Martin Rogowsky and Kenneth Jenkins.
In Attendance: CEO: Bill Randolph BOL: Joanne Sold, and Melanie Montalto. DSS: John Befus and Katherine Waluschka Guests: Libbie Poppick, Susan Edelstein, Kathy Halas, Child Care Council, Constance Volter, Birth Right, Judith Anderson, Hudson Valley Coalition for Life, Rosemarie Javosz, and Edmond Rielly, United Pro-Life.
Items Discussed: Child Care Scholarships and Early Care and Education Forward
Minutes
Chairwoman Myers called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m.
Moved by Legislator Burton and seconded by Legislator Jenkins the minutes of February 27, 2007 passed with a vote of 3-0.
Moved by Legislator Burton and seconded by Legislator Jenkins the minutes of June 5, 2007 passed with a vote of 3-0.
Kathy Halas, Executive Director of the Child Care Council of Westchester, provided a brief history of the Westchester County Child Care Scholarship to date.
Susan Edelstein of the Child Care Council distributed the detailed results of the first round of the scholarships applications which ended in April. A copy of the results is on file and available for review. The Committee discussed the results with the Child Care Council. The amount of the awards has been increased this year due to an increase in funding, and the need for a larger award in order for many families to be able to keep their children in regulated care. Ninety-one families will receive the award for the first round. The amount each family will receive varies depending on the type and cost of the care they are using and how many children are receiving care per household.
Susan Edelstein stated that round two of scholarship applications has begun. They have updated the application to make it easier, and the income eligibility has changed as the federal levels change yearly in June. The deadline for round two is July 13th and applications are already being submitted. Families that will be receiving the award will be notified the first week of August.
Libbie Poppick of the Child Care Council discussed Early Care and Education Forward, the initiative that was recently created to address the recommendations of the Child Care Utilization Study. A copy of the update on ECEF provided is on file and available for review. Ms. Poppick discussed the steps that have already been taken to assist providers and those that are in the process of being implemented.
John Befus, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, updated the Committee on the steps the Department is taking in regard to child care. These initiatives are included in the hand-outs provided by the Child Care Council.
Moved by Legislator Burton and seconded by Legislator Jenkins the Committee on Families, Health and Human Services adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
A complete audio recording of the meeting is available for review upon request.
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