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BOCA minutes – member meeting June 26, 2023 at 3:33 PM

Location of Meeting:

Virtual (GoToMeeting): https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/e8169b473f61a42bcb15c221efef21f4925d33a8d44bd1cf0a92c6dd91b3da87

Location of Meeting:

Virtual (GoToMeeting):

In Attendance:

Board:

Rebecca Compton                   Dr. Day Care

Joseph Tomchak                     Boys & Girls Club Newport

Tracy Martin                           Cadence Academy

Amy Vogel                               Dr. Day Care

Members & Guests:

John LaRue

Erin Cox, LISC

Cherima – BGC Pawtucket

Tara Rego/ Little Scholars

Stefanie Lopes

Meeting began at 3:35pm

Member Meeting Agenda:

Welcome!  This meeting will be recorded.
Update on BOCA Board – welcome new board member Lori Viner, The Children’s Workshop
Survey to improve BOCA meetings: https://forms.gle/NnuJt5jvFgcgqguZ9
Guest Speaker – John LaRue, www.jplarue.com, discuss designing and building play areas
Guest Speaker – Erin Cox, LISC RI review programs/resources for early learning facilities
Legislative and lobbyist updates
Upcoming meetings:
(skipping July, Aug)
September 25, 2023 – in person
Member questions & discussion

Meeting Notes:

  • Joe reviewed the agenda
  • Encouraged members to complete google survey to better meet member needs
  • John LaRue presented on playground planning – need to meet safety, ADA, etc. guidelines
    • 401.744.6901
  • Erin Cox presented about LISC – who they are and resources available
    • Currently 3 grant programs being administered. Application deadlines have passed, but hope to offer them again in the future. https://riccelff.org/funding
  • Playground concerns? Can reach out to either John or Erin. Erin can help assess the priority of the problems and find the right consultant.
  • Joe gave an update on the planning grant. Got confirmation from CCRI. They will be doing 3 preschool cohorts. Reimbursable training to allow people to get Lead Teacher qualifications. 8-10 weeks training with CCRI, will complete hours with a partner site (50% of wages will be reimbursable), has to be paid at $18/hour or higher
    • Skills for RI and CCRI are interested in partnering with us
    • Looking for 20 people per training cohort
    • They will do clearances/background checks
    • What we will need is a commitment participating with us on this
  • Amy – legislative update:
    • All child care workers – if 300% of poverty level (instead of 200%) will qualify for CCAP
    • No CCAP rate increases
  • Joe encouraged members to reach out if anything comes up

Meeting adjourned at 4:15pm

Next meeting:

(skipping July, Aug)

September 25, 2023 – in person

October 23, 2023

November 27, 2023

(skipping Dec)

Minutes submitted by Rebecca Compton

Minutes submitted by Tracy Martin-Turgeon