Child Care Advisory Committee

September 11, 2019

Members Present:

Members not Present:  

Others Present:

• Meeting Notices:
• The Agenda and Meeting Notice were posted  09/04/2019 on publisher@ecapitol.net  with a  list of all CCAC meetings for 2019 submitted to the Secretary of State on 01/09/2019
• The Meeting Notice was posted at Catholic Charities on 09/10/2019

• Call to Order:
• Jason Charles called meeting to order at 10:05 am

• Reflection:
• Brent Thackerson provided words of reflection

• Introductions

• Approval of Minutes:  
• June 12, 2019 minutes were approved  

• Standing Membership Subcommittee Report:
• Rachel Proper provided report
• Eloise Locust retired effective at the end of August
• A new chair needs to be appointed if anyone is interested in volunteering
• Subcommittee members met by email in August
• Aimee Ryan representing the Oklahoma Adoption Coalition attended orientation this morning
• The following recommendations are being submitted:
• Stephanie Lippert representing Oklahoma Association for the Education of Young Children (OKAEYC)
• Sarah Barry to replace Jolene Ring as the representative for the Oklahoma Psychiatric Hospital Association
• Motion to approve these two recommendations was voted on and approved
• Private Partnership vacancy – previously held by Annie VanHanken whose term expired
• She requested to participate on the committee and we created a new category for Private Partnership representation – hoping to encourage more participation from the philanthropic organizations but there was never really any traction from that

• The subcommittee recommends the position be allowed to term out and not fill the vacancy
• It was decided to table this discussion to add to the agenda of December's meeting
  
  

• Standing Subcommittee Reports:
• Child Care Facilities (centers) Standing Subcommittee
• Tammy Maus/Gayla Ham provided report

• Met in OKC on June 12 and Tulsa on August 27
• Topics of discussion with both groups were:
• Mixed-aged group ratios that have been problems for providers and DHS has developed a draft document that is working through the legislative process
• Background investigations 
• Complaint procedures where there are significant problems statewide
• Developing formal recommendations after next meeting on October 22 in OKC
• Providers are feeling they are being heard and are becoming more involved

• Family Child Care Homes Standing Subcommittee
• Ari Conner provided report

• Subcommittee has not met in the last quarter
• Rural child care homes position still vacant

• QRIS Standing Subcommittee
• Rachel Proper provided report

• Last meeting was August 6, 2019 and was the official start of monthly meetings
• Meetings for the rest of the calendar year are September 11, October 9, November 13, and December 11
• They continue work on their draft on the proposed plan of expansion of the STARS program. To reach a November 2021 effective date the plan must be submitted to DHS Legal by April 2020

• Residential Standing Subcommittee
• Brent Thackerson provided report
• A meeting is scheduled for October 23 at The Boys Ranch
• As of today they are not aware of any Residential Homes that are having any licensing issues so if nothing is brought forward for an agenda they will cancel the meeting so as not to waste anyone's time

• Legislative Update:
• Linda Whaley provided report and handout

• Licensing Sanctions Report:
• Kristi Simpson provided report and handout
• Debra Andersen – Is there a way to get a number of how many new centers are opening?
• Kristi – Yes, that can be added to the report.

• Old Business:
• Ad Hoc Committee convened to provide recommendations for changing the legislation that forms the CCAC.
• Committee met twice – Brent Thackerson, Peggy Byerly, Tammy Maus, Rachel Proper, Ari Conner, Jason Charles, Mitzi Lee, Gayla Ham

• 1^st meeting discussed what changes we want to make/do we want to make any changes? The general consensus of the group was to take it back to the way it was before the changes made by Senator Griffin's bill.
• 2^nd meeting was held to finalize the recommended changes.

• CCAC members and other attendees reviewed recommended changes to bill presented by ad hoc committee and during discussion more recommendations were made.
• Motion to approve the changes to bill as discussed today with the caveat that the final draft will be sent to members via email within 10 business days – motion passed           

• New Business:
• None

• Public Comments:
• None

• Meeting adjourned at 11:36 am

• Next Meetings:
• Wednesday, December 11, 2019 – Boy's Ranch Town