CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Committee Meeting Minutes - Final

Head Start Policy Council

6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

500 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant

Hill | 1203 West 10th. St. Antioch, CA |

300 S. 27th St. Richmond, CA | Zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88006104662 |

Meeting ID: 880 0610 4662

Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the

Committee

Roll Call and Introductions

Gabriela Garibay, Policy Council Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:21 PM.

Deanna Carmona, Karen Coleman, Ericka Garcia, Gabriela Gomar

Present

Sandoval, Maria Gonzalez Garcia, Yesica Hernandez, Janelle

Lafrades, Tu'Liisa Miller, Amy Mockoski, Sinthia Montano,

Kimberly Nieve, Maria Sanchez, Daniela Vega-Simpson, and

Sayuri Areliz Calle

Norma Chayrez, Vilma Linares Amaya, Porsha Price, and Iris

Romero

Excused

Absent

Alexia Arpero, Nathalia Hernandez, Alexis Hines, Raquel Magana,

Michelly Mendanha, Shanell Murphy, Courtney Sanders, and

Torrieanna Washington

Public Hearing: Community Services Block Grant Program

On March 19th Contra Costa County Community Action Agency and Economic Opportunity Council, held a public

hearing at Policy Council meeting to discuss the needs of our community. The meeting was both productive and

informative and we left the meeting armed with great feedback on programs and services needed to meet the

needs of our community.

Wellness Activity

Policy Council Representatives participated in a wellness activity: “How do you teach your child(ren) about

money.

Correspondence

25-963

Correspondence

Attachments:

Tuliisa Miller-PC Secretary read Correspondence from the Office of Head Start OHS

Parent Recognition of Staff

The following staff were recognized for going above and beyond in their work with the children and the

families:

Mr. Christopher Martinez from Marsh Creek Center, Ms. Lorena Perea from Lavonia Allen Center, and Ms.

Veronica and Ms. Kim Levias from Kids Castle Center were presented with a certificate in recognition of their

dedication to children and families.

Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda

(speakers may be limited to two minutes).

No public comments were requested

Approval of 2025-2026 Admissions Priority-Selection Criteria and

25-515

Recruitment Plan

2025-2026 Recruitment and Enrollment Plan Draft

Attachments:

2025-2026 CSB Admissions Priorities-Selection Criteria Draft

Recruitment and Enrollment Plan & CSB Admissions Priorities PC

Presentation

Kelly Chun, Comprehensive Services Manager, Eligibility Recruitment Selection Attendance

ERSEA, presented and requested the Policy Council representatives to approve the Approval of

2025-2026 Admissions Priority-Selection Criteria and Recruitment.

Motion:

Second:

Hernandez

Mockoski

Aye:

Carmona, Coleman, Garcia, Gomar Sandoval, Gonzalez

Garcia, Hernandez, Lafrades, Miller, Mockoski, Montano,

Nieve, Sanchez, Vega-Simpson, and Areliz Calle

Absent:

Result:

Arpero, Hernandez, Hines, Magana, Mendanha, Murphy,

Sanders, and Washington

Passed

Approval of the 2025-2026 Early Head Start & Head Start Program

Continuation Grant

25-965

Executive Summary - FY25-26 HS Year Grant

Attachments:

Sarah Reich, Interim Director TU, presented and requested the Policy Council representatives to

approve the 2025-2026 Early Head Start and Head Start Program Continuation Grant.

Motion:

Second:

Lafrades

Nieve

Aye:

Carmona, Coleman, Garcia, Gomar Sandoval, Gonzalez

Garcia, Hernandez, Lafrades, Miller, Mockoski, Montano,

Nieve, Sanchez, Vega-Simpson, and Areliz Calle

Absent:

Result:

Arpero, Hernandez, Hines, Magana, Mendanha, Murphy,

Sanders, and Washington

Passed

Approval of the Head Start Fiscal Year 2024-2025 revision to shift funding

from Early Head Start to the Head Start

25-974

Executive Summary - FY24-25 HS Grant Revision

Attachments:

Sarah Reich, Interim Director TU, presented and requested the Policy Council representatives to

approve the Budget Revision 2024-2025, which involves transferring funds from Early Head Start

to Head Start.

Motion:

Second:

Mockoski

Hernandez

Aye:

Carmona, Coleman, Garcia, Gomar Sandoval, Gonzalez

Garcia, Hernandez, Lafrades, Miller, Mockoski, Montano,

Nieve, Sanchez, Vega-Simpson, and Areliz Calle

Absent:

Result:

Arpero, Hernandez, Hines, Magana, Mendanha, Murphy,

Sanders, and Washington

Passed

Approval of January 15, 2025 Policy Council Minutes

10.

25-516

MeetingMinutes 1-15-25

Attachments:

The Policy Council meeting minutes from January 15, 2025, were reviewed, and no corrections

were noted.

Motion:

Second:

Miller

Nieve

Aye:

Garcia, Gomar Sandoval, Gonzalez Garcia, Hernandez,

Lafrades, Miller, Mockoski, Montano, Nieve, Sanchez, and

Areliz Calle

Absent:

Arpero, Hernandez, Hines, Magana, Mendanha, Murphy,

Sanders, and Washington

Abstain:

Carmona, Coleman, and Vega-Simpson

Passed

Result:

Administrative Reports

11.

25-964

ADMINISTRATIVE Reports

FISCAL Reports

Attachments:

NUTRITION Report

Administrative reports:

Director's Updates by Sarah Reich, Interim Director TU

Administrative Reports by Amy Wells, Division Manager

Fiscal Reports by Ali Vahidizadeh Accountant III

12.

Presentation on First DRDP and School Readiness Goals

Afi Fiaxe and LaTonya Saucer Comprehensive Service Managers- Education. presented the Policy Council

representatives with the 1st Desire Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) and school readiness goals.

13.

Presentation on the CSB Annual Report

Ayalew Lidete, Administrative Assistant III, presented the CSB Annual Report

Attachment to 3-19-25 DRDP Presentation and Annual Report

25-1344

School Readiness Goals for Policy Council FEB 2025

Annual Report _PC Presentation Autosaved

Attachments:

Site Reports

14.

· Kids Castle: the center has updated doors.

· March Creek: the center has welcomed a new site supervisor and new teacher. The

children are working on transportation, shapes, colors, and sizes. Also, the children

had vision screenings completed by the California-Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA).

· River View: the center had a busy February filled with various activities such as “Eat

Breakfast with Your Loved One,” a visit from librarian Ms. Bella, and the children

participated in activities like bringing something special to share, compliment day, and

pajama day. Additionally, we received new toys, which have excited all the children.

· GM III: the center had a busy February. Families attended events such as the

"Multicultural Book Story Event," a movie night celebrating the Lunar New Year,

Wellness Day, Kinder Readiness, and a dental health event. At the beginning of March,

we celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with fun activities for the children. The center has

also received new green tables for the playground. Parents who participated in the

parent meeting received gift bags.

· Los Nogales Center: Children are working on the transportation project, the teacher

shed is awaiting the fire marshal's approval, the center received new rugs, and the

sunshade is awaiting repair. The representative raised concerns about the play

structure.

* Items of concern will be added and reported during the next PC meeting under the "parking

lot"

15.

Announcements

Ana Araujo, Comprehensive Services Manager for Parent, Family, and Community Engagement, made the

following announcement:

We had no items to discuss under the “Parking Lot.”

The California 700 Form annual filing is due on April 1st. Thank you to all the representatives who have

signed the form. For those who have not yet done so, please check with your center supervisors.

The CSB Demand on Policy Council Childcare Fund Form has been updated to reflect an increase in the

mileage reimbursement rate to 70 cents per mile, effective January 1, 2025.

Additionally, the CSB Parent Recognition of Staff Form has been updated and simplified to make it

easier for parents to acknowledge staff members who are dedicated to families and children beyond their

responsibilities.

16.

Meeting Evaluation

Pluses:

Made quorum

Ending early

Deltas:

None

The next meeting is currently scheduled for April 16, 2025..

Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 7:49 pm

The Committee will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend

the Committee meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting. Any

disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by

the County to a majority of members of the Committee less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are

available for public inspection at 3068 Grant St. Concord, CA, during normal business hours. Staff

connection malfunctions for any reason, the meeting may be paused while a fix is attempted. If the

connection is not reestablished, the committee will continue the meeting in person without remote

access. Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day

prior to the published meeting time.

For Additional Information Contact: Ana Araujo, at Ana.Araujo@ehsd.cccounty.us