STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING FINANCE COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Representative Nora Slawik, Chair, called the seventh meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 in Room 200 of the State Office Building. Quorum was present.
SLAWIK, Nora - Chair EASTLUND, Rob
BLY, David - Vice Chair MURPHY, Erin
LAINE, Carolyn NORNES, Bud
WARDLOW, Lynn WINKLER, Ryan
WARD, John FRITZ, Patti
PETERSON, Sandra GOTTWALT, Steve
GARAFALO, Pat MURPHY, Mary Ex-Officio
Representative Kranz was excused.
Representative Bly moved approval of the minutes for Thursday, February 1, 2007. THE MOTION PREVAILED and the minutes are approved.
CHILDCARE
Tammy Anderson, Director, Children's Corner, Fergus Falls
Testified on effects of policy changes and funding cuts on rural areas particularly cutting to half days.
Jenny Bergman, licensed home childcare provider, Cambridge
Testified on the importance of early childhood programs, parent education programs and parental choice.
Denise Welte, licensed childcare provider, Rochester
Testified on the importance of funding for care provided by family, friends and neighbors caregivers.
Lisa Thompson, family childcare provider, Ramsey County
Testified about the importance of child care professionals in home day care settings.
Jamie Edwards, parent, Wicoie Nanddaagikendan Urban Immersion Project, Minneapolis
Testified on importance of funding for child care so that children are able to attend culturally appropriate for programs.
Natalie Ross, single parent, Kids Care Connection, Wayzata
Testified on the importance of scholarships and consistent care.
HEAD START, ECFE, and SCHOOL READINESS
Roxanne Sandoval, Head Start parent, Northfield
Testified on the difficulty with affording child care, specifically in the summer and the quality of the
Head Start program.
Lisa Malecha, home visitor, Northfield
Testified on the importance of help with transportation and information and how home visits can connect needs with programs.
Mary Ellen Sparrow, Cambridge, Early Childhood Coalition
Testified on the benefits of ECFE and how lack of information, transportation and accessibility affect rural areas.
Jeff Forester, parent, Minneapolis ECFE
Testified on the importance of parenting skills taught at ECFE especially for first time parents and how there is a strong sense of community when programs are available in the neighborhood.
Deepa DeAlwis, parent, St. Paul ECFE
Testified on the power of parenting skills learned at ECFE.
Maureen Brazil-Sawyer, school readiness parent, St. Paul
Testified on the benefits of all school readiness programs.
ABE/lifelong learning
Eric Nesheim, Executive Director, Minnesota Literacy Council introducing:
Christine Harris, ABE student, Maplewood
Testified on ABE programs and their importance on her and her daughter's lives.
Yessica Mendoza, ABE student, Woodbury
Testified on the importance of ABE programs giving adults a second chance.
Meeting was adjourned at 5: 30 p.m.
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Representative Nora Slawik, Chair
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Tricia Kiefer, Committee Legislative Assistant