March 2008 Annual Meeting
Annual Report
Christie Howell-Yrios gave an overview of the activities of the board during the first six months of 2006. She shared that the board identified the need to get organized inorder to achieve our goals. She pointed out the MAAECA brochures and tri-fold poster which illustrated our mission, goals and activities from the past year. An annual retreat was held which was facilitated by Joan Laurion. Through this retreat we identified our desire to continue our collaboration within the community and the need to reevaluate priorities. The following areas were discussed as important: increase membership, equal access for all to quality care (W-2), collaboration with the City of Madison, 4K,
health care & affordable housing. By setting goals and priorities, we were able to create focus for our activities. We were also able to identify what strengths each member brought to the table.
Priorities for 2007
~ Membership and outreach;
~ Equal access for all regardless of income;~ Collaboration with the City of Madison and accreditation;
~ 4K
Wendy Rakower gave an overview of the second six months of the year. With the identification of priorities, committees were formed. The 4K committee met with Maya Cole, provided input for the superintendent search and going forward is prepared to act to assure collaboration. The committee met with Mike Eisen with the Isthmus and Capital Times to discuss the issues of 4K. The W-2 committee focused on the state budget, testifying at public hearings on Wisconsin Shares and W-2. The committee also worked with the early Childhood and Education Board through the city. There is a public hearing scheduled for March 10th to propose making the current rate freeze permanent through 2009. This freeze is putting a lot of strain and pressure on both providers and low income families. The current system makes it very difficult for quality programs to provide care for families receiving childcare assistance. The 50% underutilization policy is also being reinstated for April 1st.
The question was asked of what can be done about these proposals and changes within W-2. You can attend the public hearing and speak with your legislature. Silke O’Donnell shared information on the activities of AFSME and an event scheduled for March 5th to get people out to speak with their legislature. Oma Vic McMurrey stated that DWD has not heard that these changes are a problem. It is our responsibility to make sure that our voices are heard and the message is given that the current state of and the proposed changes to Wisconsin Shares are unacceptable. Oma proposed calling Roberta Gassman at DWD. In July the new Department of Child and Family Services is being formed. We are hoping to establish a positive relationship with the new department.
The board’s activities around the City of Madison focused on maintaining strong relationships. Enis Raglund, the Acting Director of the Office of Community Services, attended a board meeting to hear our issues and concerns. Enis stated that he shared and is committed to many of the same issues.
In 2007 MAAECA joined Dane County United (DCU) a community based advocacy group. By joining DCU, MAAECA is joining with many people who share the same passions and commitment to early childhood education and care. Membership in DCU provides MAAECA with the tools to effectively advocate for early childhood issues. Early childhood is a focus of DCU.
1. Speakers
Advocacy – Dorothy Conniff
Dorothy, the retired Director of the Office of Community Services , share her insights and experiences around advocacy. The first suggestion is to build relationships. Dorothy talked about how she and others within the early childhood community formed a relationship with Mayor Paul Soglin. This was critical in the creation of the Office of Community Services and City of Madison accreditation. It is critical to build relationships with decision makers, recognizing that even those who may have opposing views are potential allies. It is important not to vilify those who have opposing views. Dorothy was hired as the first childcare specialist and has always been very passionate about the importance of quality early childhood experiences. The second suggestion was to look for potential allies in strange places. You can never stop talking about the importance of early childhood. You need to keep the message going, reinforcing the importance of city accreditation. There is really bad childcare out there. Madison has a lot of really good centers and programs because of city accreditation. It is important to think small. You can accomplish a lot in your locality. City accreditation came about because of ideas, relationships and focus.
Christie added that it is always important to be prepared to give talking points on the importance of early childhood. You never know when you may meet a powerful ally.
4k – Becky Van Houton
Becky shared that she is excited to see all of the young faces in the group. These are the people who will be carrying the message forward. Becky shared the history of 4K with the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) through which MMSD and community/program leaders developed a plan for starting 4K in Madison. In 2001 there was a feasibility study which was lead by Jim McCoy and Linda Leonhart. ELI was formed in the fall of 2002. In 2003-2004 a pilot program at Glendale was run. The pilot program was not communicated with the ELI group. It was around this time that all communication between the school district and community members working on the issue of 4K ceased. MAAECA sent a formal proposal to MMSD offering to provide 4K in accredited centers. MAAECA spoke with DPI and Lynn Edelfson through the university. There was initially no response from MMSD. The proposal has been largely ignored. MAAECA joined DCU in order to create
support and power to continue advocating for collaborative 4K in Madison. MMSD school board members including Maya Cole, Beth Moss and Johnny Winston Jr, have expressed in interest in exploring 4K for Madison.
DCU – Daithi Wolfe
Matt Moreland-Gross, Lead Organizer for DCU, was unavailable at the last minute. Daithi volunteered to speak about Dane County United and our partnership. DCU is an organization of organizations. In Madison, people typically come together around issues. With DCU, relationships are the focus. Relationships come first, the issue come out of the relationships. DCU chose social justice as its main issue. DCU is currently focusing on an education campaign. The education campaign includes issues of 4K, youth at risk and African Centered Pedagogy Program which focuses on the experience of African American Students. We need to push for action from people who express commitment towards fighting for 4K and Wisconsin Shares. School board members, the Mayor and Kathleen Falk have all expressed a commitment. It is our responsibility to push for action. Daithi shared that DCU is a dues funded organization. This is important because DCU is not beholden to anyone outside of its membership. In order for MAAECA to pay it’s DCU dues it was necessary to increase the MAAECA membership dues. The increase is effective for 2008.