BOCA minutes – member meeting November 27, 2023 at 1:00 PM

Location of Meeting:

Virtual (GoToMeeting):  https://transcripts.gotomeeting.com/#/s/f708ef8d4c7c893a83948443875665816054943b2a20298a6a17597aa058d65e

In Attendance:

Board:
Rebecca Compton Dr. Day Care
Amy Vogel Dr. Day Care
Lori Viner Children’s Workshop

Members and guests:
Monique Rossi BGClub Warwick
Rebecca Madden Acorn Academy
Zachary Handleman BGClub East Providence
Heidi Nordmann East Bay Community Action Program
Marisa Gallager Hope St ELC
Mike Scarpeti BGClub Providence
Cheryl Tella The Learning Journey Preschool
Susan Rachette Kinderdance and Fitness

Guest speaker:
Stephanie Geller, RI Kids Count

Meeting Notes:

• Stephanie went over Kids Count information from their Factbook – next one coming out May 6^th
  
• Meeting accidentally ended – members rejoined but remainder of meeting was not recorded.
  • Went over priorities for 2024Planning to keep on Mayforth Group as lobbyistBiggest concern – finding staffJoe went over DLT pilot – focused on increased staffing
    • Not finding staffPay rate is a struggleHow do we improve this situation?Still waiting for grant to be finalized. Hoping by early December will have info to share with everyone.
    Send any priorities for next yearHired Maria Fruci to support the grant – she will be the primary point of contact
  • Suggestions on priorities for lobbyist to focus on next year? Send to us. Suggestions:
    • Help families – lower FPL for DHS/CCAP
    • Help centers – raise CCAP rates
    • Help staff – Retention bonuses, tuition/education reimbursement if working in the field, child care educators DHS pilot program

Next meeting:
(skipping Dec)
January 22, 2024
February 26, 2024
March 25, 2024

Minutes submitted by Rebecca Compton