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County of Volusia
Children and Families Advisory Board
Minutes of the November 10, 2004 Meeting
Deland Public Library
130 East Howry Ave., Deland, Florida

Call to Order - 5:15 pm

Attendance

Quorum:
Yes

Chair’s Report:
Board Chair presented Annual Report for 2004. Motion made by Dr. Martin and seconded by Mary Bruno to approve report. Motion passed.

Board Chair presented CFAB Schedule for 2004-2005. Motion made by Mary Bruno and seconded by Karen Bourbonnais to approved schedule. Motion passed.

Minutes:
Motion made by Dr. Henry Martin and seconded by Marisa Shirley to approve minutes of March 12, 2004 and June 30, 2004. Motion passed.

Correspondence:
Neighbor to Family – Executive Director Kellie Armstrong leaving agency.

Old Business:
Chair of the Allocations Sub-Committee, Alice Johnson, presented recommendations from the Committee for 2005-2006 funding criteria. She also requested Board members to submit to Staff 2-3 questions to ask agencies in the Agency Presentations regarding their application. Karen Bourbonnais asked for clarification on Funding Criteria Item 5 regarding matching funds. The criteria was changed to add “Programs that are currently funded by the County” that are residential, and programs that receive Federal and State dollar match are held harmless. Chair also discussed how the Board will determine what constitutes a “new” program. The Chair stated that the committee would like to have flexibility in stating priorities in distributing funding. One Voice is in the process of developing a community wide needs assessment. The sub-committee also recommends changing the weight of Item 6 of the Evaluation Elements from 15 to 10 percent, and adding Item 9 for monitoring at a weight of 5%. Motion made by Mary Bruno and seconded by Dr. Henry Martin to accept recommendations from Allocations Sub-Committee with changes noted above. Motion passed.

Staff presented 2005-2006 application for Board approval. Motion made by Karen Bourbonnais and seconded by Mary Bruno to approve application. Motion passed.

New Business:
Reggie Williams presented priorities and goals from Margaret A. Smith, D. Ed., Superintendent of Volusia County Schools with respect to closing the achievement gap. This gap exists between white students and minority students. This school system is in the process of creating committees to focus on how we can close these gaps. The County funds many after school programs and the CFAB through funding impacts communities where the achievement gap currently exists. Mr. Williams challenged the Board to assist in closing the achievement gap by working with the school system. The CFAB can contribute to closing this gap by establishing standards for programs that are in line with school system process and funding those programs. Mary Bruno advised that groups have been established on the East and West side of the county to analyze the problem and recommend solutions. The Board requested that School Board staff make a presentation at the next meeting regarding their educational enhancement program. The Board also requests that One Voice also present current needs in the County. Ms. Bruno suggested that the CFAB could possibly act as a clearing house in an advisory capacity between the school board and the agencies in bridging the gap. Mary Bruno suggested that as we have workshops we advise the agencies that have after school programs that the Board is expecting some educational component in the program.

Jan Morse, Vice President of Operations of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, advised the Board of the resignation of Raymon Gaines and assured the Board that services would not be impacted as they are currently interviewing candidates for the Administrator position.

Mary Ann Barry of the Children’s Advocacy Center requested funding originally allocated to the Rape Crisis Center. The CAC has been performing the services, originally provided by the Rape Crisis Center, since April, 2004. She requested funding retroactive to October 1, 2004 since the services have been provided. Motion made by Dr. Henry Martin and seconded by Mary Bruno to approve funding of $46,010 be awarded to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Motion passed.

Sandy Rakes of Great Kids requested funding originally allocated to Great Kids in Port Orange Elementary be re-allocated to administrative expenses. The building used at Port Orange was donated. The program at Port Orange has been taken over by the church. There are still 12 children enrolled in the program. Great Kids, due to growth, has had to rent administrative space. Total number of children to be served is to increase to 90 by the addition of a computer lab. In addition, the number of children at the current sites has increased. Alice Johnson expressed concern regarding the Board allowing agencies to request a re-allocation of funding based on original application information and the agency requesting use of the funds for a different purpose. Mary Bruno stated that since the same number of students will be served and requested that the agency must provide a revised program budget and a revised total agency budget. Motion made by Mary Bruno and seconded by Dr. Henry Martin to approve re-allocation of budget pending submission of revised budgets. Director advised to submit revised budgets reflecting re-allocation. Motion passed with Alice Johnson not in favor.

Peggy Johnson, staff, requested Board direction regarding contract with Greater Union Life Center. The agency has unresolved monitoring issues and has not provided financial information or demographic information regarding services. The agency was operating a program, but did not keep records. The balance of the 2003-2004 contract $3,372 and the 2004-2005 contract is $10,111. Motion made by Dr. Henry Martin and seconded by Mary Bruno to cancel contract. Motion passed.

Kevin Para of Women’s Care Center requested a recommendation from the CFAB to the County Council to assist with $24,773.30 as a result of losses sustained as a result of damage to the thrift shop from the hurricanes. Mr. Williams advised Board that the Council referred the request for financial assistance to the CFAB. Mr. Para also advised the Board that there was a purchase of a new ultrasound machine partially funded by Focus on the Family. Funds that were originally planned to pay for the ultrasound machine had to be used for operating expenses. The balance due on the ultrasound machine is $4,773.30. Alice Johnson recommended that the CFAB target dollars for specific needs. Mary Bruno made a motion that Board approve $10,000.00 to the Agency with the funds being allocated $4,773.30 to pay for the ultrasound machine and the balance for food and clothing and supplies for women and children (emergency needs). Motion seconded by Alice Johnson. Motion passed.

Pastor Kevin Taylor of New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church requested financial assistance from the Board for childcare. The Agency was not able to begin operations until January 2004. In the application submitted the figures were estimates since the program was new. At this time, actuals are available and Pastor Taylor is requesting that the application be revised with the new data. The cost per client has been reduced significantly. Another barrier the agency has faced is the effect of the hurricanes. Parents out of work do not place their child in daycare. Anticipated fees were not received. In addition $10,000 had to spend for repairs. NMZMBC applied for funding for 2004-2005 but was not approved for funding because of the score. Mary Bruno asked for clarification regarding whether the agency is asking the Board for re-consideration of their application, but only for assistance due to the loss of income as a result of the hurricane. Pastor Taylor advised the request is based upon the loss of income, however, the agency wanted to provide corrected figures on the application due to the short time of operation. It was noted that the location of the NMZMBC is in one of the targeted areas of the School Board for after school programs. The church owns the building where the daycare is operating and the daycare is paying rent. Pastor Taylor stated that monthly expenses run approximately $4,000-$5000. The Board requested Pastor Taylor to ask the church the rent for three months if possible. Alice Johnson clarified that the request for re-consideration of the application. Pastor Taylor to revise request to ask for emergency funds. Motion made by Alice Johnson and seconded by Mary Bruno to assist agency with $2,000 per month for November, December, January, and February and designate the funds for material, supplies, and child care only. Motion passed.

Public Participation:
Barbara Wolfson, Executive Director of Very Special Arts of Volusia advised Board that in 1996 gave VSA a grant for $4500 for “Start with the Arts” collaborated with HeadStart. There is a group of “trainers” for “Start with the Arts” which is PK through first grade. The program was expanded to include activities for after-school. There are four master trainers in Volusia County for this program.

Advisory Board Participation:
Mary Bruno announced that the Volusia County school district received the first in Florida and third in the nation District Accreditation from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, which means every school in Volusia County is accredited.

Karen Bourbonnais announced that she is employed as the District Director for Junior Achievement.

Adjourned:
7:30 pm

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