Flathead Valley Childhood & Family Advisory Council

1. Flathead Valley Childhood & Family Advisory Council

2. Introductions Brittany MacLean, Coordinator MS in Nonprofit Management & Urban Policy Background in Community Building & Project Management Mother of 4 Deep belief in the health of our children directly relating to the health of our world

3. Your Gifts & Insights Please choose a picture Think about how it might be a metaphor for the approach, or gifts, you bring to your work with children, family, or the community My name is ________. I represent (agency or recent work.) I chose the __________ because like the ____________, I bring ___________ to my work with children & families.

4. Background of StateAdvisory Council The Montana Governor’s office was the applicant for funding dedicated by the federal Office of Head Start Governor’s office received funding & the Early Childhood Services Bureau was designated as the lead agency $664,000 was received by the state for council work & guidance/collaboration on 5 additional federal grant programs

5. Principle Objectives of this new “Best Beginnings” Advisory Council Provide high quality Early Childhood & Family Support programs Provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the social, emotional, physical and mental health of children and familiesin Montana. Form and support Community Councils throughout Montana

6. Six Montana Community Councils Funded Eastern Montana Community Councils (Glendive, Sidney & Miles City) Missoula Best Beginnings Council Ravalli County Community Council Early Childhood Coalition of the Greater Helena Area Greater Gallatin School Readiness Team Flathead Valley Early Childhood & Family Advisory Council

7. Evolution 20-30 years of pioneer leaders – both people and organizations – striving to bring attention and resources to the health of children & families, especially ages 0-5 The newly established Council to the Governor & our Flathead Valley Early Childhood Council represents an exciting culmination and achievement

8. Our Council Appointed members Steering Committee has met to provide overall guidance & structure Decisions & Recommendations will be taken directly to the Governor’s Advisory Council Decisions & Recommendations will be made using the Consensus Model (more info to follow at subsequent meetings) Important to maintain attendance at council meetings Ad hoc members may be added to committee Meetings will always include a public comment section of the agenda

9. Original conception and grant application Initial meeting was coordinated by The Nurturing Center and United Way About 30 organizations were represented and agreed that we need better collaboration in our community The Nurturing Center was chosen as fiscal agent and asked to apply for grant on behalf of council Grant was awarded making our Council one of the 7 Best Beginning Councils in Montana working directly with the Governor’s Best Beginnings Council. We were originally funded for a half time coordinator

10. Vision To effectively identify -- and offer recommendations for addressing -- the root issues effecting families & young children in the Flathead Valley To create a collaborative comprehensive system of care for families, especially with children ages 0-5 To make certain the work of the Council is not short lived or project driven

11. Goals To make certain families with young children are supported in their communities To provide children with access to high quality Early Childhood programs, a medical home, and medical insurance To support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of young children and families

12. Areas of Focus Please share, from your perspective, what you feel has had the largest impact on the lives of young children, ages 0-5, and their families during the past 5-10 years.

13. Who are we missing? What additional members do we need to appoint? Confirmed, but unable to attend this meeting: Superintendent Whitefish Schools County Superintendent President FAEYC 3 additional child care providers Director Childshare of Montana

14. Outcomes & Requirements Complete accurate and thorough Needs Assessment (standardized documentation of trends, issues and data) Use Needs Assessment to back up initial Council recommendations & make new ones Identify gaps in services to families & children Complete a Strategic Plan detailing findings, tasks & outcomes

15. Additional Funding for Council Bureau of Public Health and Bureau of Early Childhood Services completed a secondary grant for funding local community councils Local Councils are eligible for up to $100,000 to support infrastructure work in the community The funds will be primarily used for funding coordinators, administrative support and completing a comprehensive needs assessment.

16. Stay Creative & Inspired Know that in the midst of jargon, data, committees and tasks we WILL BRING POSITIVE CHANGE We carry the work of many visionaries before us. Children, mothers, fathers, and our entire community depend on our focus and on our vision Be the change you see; & Never lose faith

17. Next Meeting I will be sending date choices for February Happy Holidays!