KANSAS CHILDREN’S CABINET AND TRUST FUND
Minutes

October 17, 2007

Hayden Office Building
212 S.W. 8 th Street, Topeka, Kansas
9:00 a.m. 1:10 p.m.

Present: Russell Jennings, Don Jordan, Laura Kelly, Melissa Ness, José Olivas, David Wysong, Mark Gleeson (Supreme Court Designee), and Cabinet Staff: Jim Redmon and Dyogga Adegbore

Absent: Roderick Bremby, Tim Cruz, William Nelson, Gwen Perkins, Shari Weber,
Sylvia Robinson, Carol Beier, Reginald Robinson, and Gayle Stuber (KSDE Designee)

Guests: Jackie Counts, Elenor Buffington, Karin Lee Chang-Rios, Heather Rasmussen,
Erin Obermeier of The University of Kansas Institute for Educational Research and
Public Service, Doug Bowman, Coordinating Council on Early Childhood
Developmental Services (CCECD), Luella Sanders and Mary Ellen Conlee of
United Way of the Plains, Wichita.

Welcome and Introductions

Melissa Ness, Children’s Cabinet Chair called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
No action was taken as a quorum was not present.

Review of Children’s Initiative Funds
Recommendations by The KU Institute Team

The KU Institute for Educational Research and Public Service Team gave a presentation and reviewed the changes made to the process this year, including adjustments to the accountability framework. There are two phases: information gathering and program assessment. The age categories for populations served have changed in order to avoid overlap; last year it was hard to define the birth to five category because programs were asked to identify target populations, including both the birth to five and birth to 18 categories. This year, the KU Institute Team asked programs to provide actual numbers served in each category, and there is no overlap in the birth to five age range.

Challenges this year: Many programs do not need to have a formal evaluation plan as part of their reporting, and only have monitoring mechanisms in place. The level of administration has also been a challenge because monitoring in a centralized program looks very different from that of a decentralized program.

The KU Institute Team’s presentation at this meeting was a review of the Children’s Initiatives Fund money for FY 2007. The first phase of the framework, information gathering, was completed via online surveys, face-to-face interviews, and a review of program materials.

Briefing Binders were distributed to members. This binder is in draft form, and there may be some updates for the November Cabinet meeting. The funding charts and at-a-glance tables were reviewed with discussion about how to read the information. Unless a program is funded 100% by CIF, there is no way to determine what CIF money provides. It becomes part of the overall program budget, so all numbers regarding population served and financial information is in regard to the entire program, not just CIF portions.

This year, programs received a rating for evidence-based practices. Last year, there was not enough information provided by programs to give them a rating. The rating was based on a checklist (available in the appendix of the binder). The components of the quality evaluation portion of the framework were also presented.

Consideration for funding recommendations:

• Does the program align with Cabinet priorities?
• Quality evaluation plan
• Minimum Evidenced-Based Practice (EBP) Level 1. (Every program should be able to describe their plan and why they expect it to work.)
• Significance of CIF budget to the overall program budget.
• Is there a state or federal mandate that the services be provided?
• In terms of program administration:
• Can the dollars be tracked? Are there common goals? Is there a quality assurance process in place? What is the community burden on this money? (Are there local programs receiving CIF money from several sources that have to make applications to many agencies for the same pot of money?)
  

Cabinet questions/comments:

• % between funding by agency and presentation are a little bit off. Please check these to ensure they are correct in the binder.
• Population served information could be misleading if the binder was just picked up by someone. Can a statement of limitations be added to the binder so that someone reading this information can understand it as it is being presented today?
• Can more specific information be provided by programs that provided estimates or population-based numbers served?
• Is there any way to move programs along on the evaluation and evidence-based practices continuum? What do we tell the programs about expectations with receiving the CIF money?
• On the outcome piece, are you looking at whether or not they have outcomes or whether or not the outcomes are good for that program?
• Should there be a “double category” where the Cabinet recommendation is not fund/do
  not fund (based on the information gathered annually), but one where they think it is a
  good program and should be funded even if they aren’t moving toward these elements?
• Are we using the most cost-effective programming to provide services?
• On the mapping, can there be some indication on each program map showing what counties are actually served during the fiscal year rather than the counties where the services are offered?
• Would like to see the average census for the numbers served, rather than number served over the FY? How many people are being served at one time?

Discussion:

• In general, would like the leveraging information included in the Program Information Sheets.

• Next year, it would help to send information to Agency Secretaries/Commissioners to let them know that we are going out to complete the interviews so they can follow up with program staff.

• Economics have to be a part of the allocation decision. Funding from CIF remains flat or falling, but costs are rising every year.

The Children’s Cabinet will be taking action on the CIF Recommendations at its November meeting.

Request for Kansas Children’s Cabinet Support on Legislative Proposal – Senator Wysong
Senator David Wysong discussed the Kansas Health Policy Authority’s (KHPA) initiative on banning smoking on school property. Senator Wysong would like to introduce a proposal (Jill Walters will write it) to amend legislation to ban all smoking in public areas where children are located. Senator Wysong said he would like to obtain a Letter of Support from this body to attach with his proposal.

Early Childhood Report and Discussion

At the August 23 rd Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet asked for clarification of a request made by the 2010 Commission to the Children’s Cabinet, concerning asking the ELCC to participate in the early learning governance model. Jim Redmon remarked that the Children’s Cabinets’ initial response to the 2010 Commission was to continue playing the role of convener and facilitator of ELCC. Since the last Cabinet meeting, staff obtained a copy of the Commission’s August minutes .

The 2010 Commission’s August minutes reflect the request as reads, “Chairperson Chronister also asked the children’s Cabinet to respond at the next 2010 Commission meeting (September 13 th) regarding an expanded role for the Early Learning Coordinating council, including long-term planning, development of a single application for all programs, comprehensive data collection, and discussion of an organization structure designed to assist in the development of the whole child.”
At the September meeting of the 2010 Commission, Chairman Chronister asked for the ELCC to come up with a proposal within one year.

The Cabinet decided to postpone the Executive Session discussion on Matters Related to Grant Issues, and will receive the Executive Director’s report at a future meeting.

State of Kansas Budget and Timeframe (handout)

The Cabinet received a copy of State of Kansas budget process power point presentation from the Office of the Budget. The last page gives the budget chronology. Chairman Ness wanted the Cabinet members to have a copy of the handout.

Adjournment

There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Next meeting:

Scheduled November 14th (Note: Rescheduled to Thursday, November 15, 2007)

---

Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund
Minutes
August 23, 2007

Capitol Plaza Hotel
Emerald Ballroom
1717 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, Kansas
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Present: Roderick Bremby, Tim Cruz, Russell Jennings, Don Jordan, Laura Kelly,
William Nelson, Melissa Ness, Gwen Perkins, Shari Weber, David Wysong,
Gayle Stuber (KSDE Designee) and Mark Gleeson (Supreme Court Designee).

Cabinet Staff: Jim Redmon and Dyogga Adegbore  

Absent: Carol Beier, José Olivas, Sylvia Robinson, and Reginald Robinson 

Guests: Jackie Counts, Elenor Buffington, Karin Lee Chang-Rios, and Heather Rasmussen, of The University of Kansas Institute for Educational Research and Public Service, Doug Bowman, Coordinating Council on Early Childhood
Developmental Services (CCECD), Jennifer Crow, Kansas Coalition for School Readiness, and Luella Sanders, Wichita Smart Start-United Way of the Plains

Welcome and Introductions
A quorum was present for the meeting.

Melissa Ness, Children’s Cabinet Chair, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.

Approval of the Minutes
Tim Cruz moved and Bill Nelson seconded motion for Cabinet approving the Kansas Children’s Cabinet minutes of November 13, 2006, as written. Motion carried.

Cabinet Activity Overview
Jim Redmon reported on the Cabinet administration activities which include:

The Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund office administers 59 grants, convenes meetings of the Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive System stakeholders (KECCS), Early Learning Coordinating Council, and Kansas Strengthening Families stakeholders and has developed the KECCS Plan and Strengthening Families Plan.

The Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund office and the KU Institute team members were currently assisting the Office of the Governor staff with planning the September 17th Governor’s Summit on Early Childhood to be held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Invitations have been sent to Kansas legislators, business and civic leaders across the state, Cabinet-Board, and others for this event. There will be panels to discuss why investing early in children is important.

Review of Children’s Initiative Funds Recommendation Process

Jackie Counts, Associate Director, Institute for Educational Research and Public Service, The University of Kansas introduced her staff: Karin Lee Chang-Rios, Elenor Buffington, and Heather Rasmussen. The KU Institute Team has been instrumental in gathering data, surveying and interviewing CIF program managers, state administrators and line staff. They have been gathering general information, target populations, and amount of funding for each program based on outcomes from evidence-based practices. The KU team utilizes information from the P.A.R.T. federal monitoring requirements as the framework background. The PART process provides continuity and credibility in the data collected. At the Cabinet’s last meeting, the KU team presenting information gathering techniques for each program description. As the final stage, the KU team will be assessing the programs, looking at programs in light of the Cabinet’s priorities, showing program results based on evidence-based practices and conducting a quality evaluation in order for the Cabinet to make recommendations requiring CIF programs accountable to CIF funding requirements.

At the October and November meetings, the KU Team will be presenting data to the Cabinet for final recommendations of funding the CIF programs.

Potential Increase in Tobacco Settlement Funds: Discussion

Melissa asked the questions why should the Kansas Children’s Cabinet weigh-in on increase of funds? Where are the areas the Cabinet could recommend the state consider investing these funds? What should the Cabinet consider in order to take a new direction?

David Wysong commented that the tobacco funding will eventually dry up, thus, Cabinet will need to focus on recommending funding for those CIF programs it considers as the priorities and work with program staff in bringing up those programs that fall under CIF guidelines but are not meeting evaluation standards. There was further discussion about alternative funding sources.

At the October 17 th meeting, Melissa Ness and Jim Redmon will present a framework in the form of a year-at-glance budget calendar for which the Cabinet can utilize in making recommendations. Also, at the October meeting, the Cabinet can talk about strategies on how to reconcile implications/actions for each CIF program and consider alternate funding strategies to promote the recommendations. Jim commented in response to a question on the figure for the Master Tobacco Settlement for 2007, and funding is approximately $47 million.

Potential Increase in Tobacco Settlement Funds: Discussion (contin.)

Cabinet discussed the fact that it was set up for receiving the tobacco settlement monies and set aside into a fund called the Kansas Endowment for Youth fund or KEY fund, which in past years, is emptied once a year. Shari Weber said the Cabinet has a mechanism in place for setting aside monies from the Master Tobacco Settlement into the KEY fund. Rod Bremby talked about the Cabinet using stronger language in how it states the importance of using the resources now allocated for setting aside monies to be fulfilled in funding the KEY fund and in its initial obligation for strategic investment.

EARLY CHILDHOOD REPORT AND DISCUSSION

Legislative Post Audit Report

Melissa Ness explained this meeting would cover an update about the recent Division of Legislative Post Audit findings and recommendations presented to the 2010 Commission. The audit focus was to address whether proper coordination of early childhood programs are in place. Also, the audit focused on determining how to eliminate duplication of services for early childhood in the state. As a result of the audit, the 2010 Commission offered a proposal which did precipitate varied discussions about programs impacted. Copies of the audit were distributed to the Cabinet.

2010 Commission Report

Jim Redmon reported on the August 20 th 2010 Commission meeting. In July, the 2010 Commission started looking for governance models as a result of the LPA audit recommendations. Both Secretary Bremby and Secretary Jordan along with Jim are ex officio members of the Commission. Chairperson Rochelle Chronister presented the proposal of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet could function as governing body. That recommendation met with varied responses. The idea was dropped. Melissa and Jim discussed the importance and possible expanded role of the ELCC. Kansas Department of Education representatives presented another model. After hearing testimony, Chairperson Chronister asked the Children’s Cabinet to respond at the next 2010 Commission meeting (September 13 th) regarding an expanded role for the Early Learning Coordinating Council in designing an early learning governance model. Melissa and Jim conveyed to the 2010 Commission that the Kansas Children’s Cabinet acts as a convener and facilitator of the ELCC. Shari Weber expressed reservations about the Kansas Children’s Cabinet taking on a larger role.

MOTION:

After much discussion about the 2010 Commission request, Laura Kelly moved and David Wysong seconded the motion for Cabinet staff to convey to the 2010 Commission that the Cabinet will continue to play the role of convener and facilitator of Early Learning Coordinating Council (ELCC) and will move forward the ELCC’s process around helping design an early learning governance model, however, the Cabinet staff will obtain clarification on the Commission’s exact request and expectations of the ELCC in the process of determining an organization structure for early learning governance. Motion carried.

Note: Since this meeting, the 2010 Commission’s August 20 th minutes have been obtained and defined the request as follows: “Chairperson Chronister also asked the Children’s Cabinet to respond at the next meeting (September 13 th) regarding an expanded role for the Early Learning Coordinating Council, including long-term planning, development of a single application for all programs, comprehensive data collection, and discussion of an organization structure designed to assist in the development of the whole child.”

Adjournment

The next scheduled meetings of the Cabinet in Topeka are both on a Wednesday

October 17, 2007
November 14, 2007

There being no further business for discussion, Tim Cruz moved and Laura Kelly seconded motion for adjournment. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

---

Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund
Meeting Minutes
November 13, 2006
Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library
Marvin Auditorium, Room 101-C
1515 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Present: Carol Beier, Roderick Bremby, Robert Corkins, Don Jordan, Laura Kelly, Melissa Ness, José Olivas, Gwen Perkins, Sylvia Robinson, David Wysong,
Mark Gleeson (Supreme Court Designee) and Bobbi Mariani (SRS Secretary Designee).
Staff Present: Jim Redmon and Dyogga Adegbore

Absent: Tim Cruz, William Nelson, Reginald Robinson, and Shari Weber

Guests Present: Jackie Counts, Elenor Buffington, Karin Chang-Rios, and Heather Rasmussen, of The University of Kansas Institute for Educational Research and Public
Services, Doug Bowman, Coordinating Council on Early Childhood
Developmental Services (CCECD), Mark Boranyak, Capitol Strategies, and
Kandi Miller, Wichita Smart Start-United Way of the Plains

Welcome and Introductions
There was a quorum for this meeting.

Melissa Ness, Children’s Cabinet Chair, called the meeting to order, welcomed everyone, and asked for introductions.

Approval of the Minutes
José Olivas moved and Gwen Perkins seconded the Cabinet approve the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund minutes of September 29, 2006, as written. Motion carried.

Overview from Prior Meeting
At the September 29th Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet received presentation material showing how the KU team gathered information from the Children’s Initiative Funded (CIF) program contacts to help in the process of evaluating the CIF programs. At today’s meeting, the KU Institute team provided the Cabinet with a CIF Program briefing notebook. The briefing notebook contains evaluative background material as a result of 18 months research and 17 interviews the team conducted with CIF program contacts.

The KU Institute team gave a power point presentation that explained the material in the briefing binder and answered questions of the Cabinet. The team went over evidence-based practices, quality evaluation, program results, funding amounts, and data collection stages with the Cabinet.

FY 2008 Recommendations/Framework for Children’s Initiative Funds
The Cabinet reviewed each program using a worksheet to determine which fit within one of two Funding Plans, and which of five categories it fell under in one of two of the Funding Plans:
Recommended for CIF Funding 2008 or Program Not Assessed
Aligns with Cabinet Priorities and Shows Evidence of CIF Accountability
Aligns with Cabinet Priorities and Shows Minimal Evidence of CIF Accountability

Continue to Fund in 2008 but Seek Alternate Funding in 2009
Does Not Align with Cabinet Priorities - Shows Evidence of CIF Accountability
Does Not Align with Cabinet Priorities - Shows Minimal Evidence of CIF Accountability

After reviewing the programs, Rod Bremby suggested that although the PKU and Hemophilia Services program receive FY 2008 CIF funding, however, he will pursue seeking alternate funding for FY 2009 for this program.

The Cabinet asked if it discontinues CIF funding for a program, could another program be set up to take its place in receiving funding. They agreed this is possible. Those programs no longer funded would have to seek alternate funding elsewhere. The Cabinet talked about setting aside CIF funds in the KEY fund. Don Jordan pointed out that it should be made clear to everyone those programs that do not necessarily meet Cabinet Priorities are still good programs.

Jim Redmon reported the Director of the Budget office announced the Master Tobacco Settlement FY 2008 projects are $45.8 million. The CIF funds come from those settlement dollars.

Recommendations:
Motion:
Sylvia Robinson moved and Laura Kelly seconded the Cabinet would continue to fund all programs receiving 100 percent funding with CIF dollars in FY 2008 and recommend those programs that do not meet Cabinet Priorities seek alternate funding in FY 2009. No vote taken.

There was continued discussion. Laura Kelly asked if there were programs meeting the Cabinet Priorities criteria that were receiving 50 percent or less of funding through CIF? Jackie Counts responded yes, one.

Motion:
Sylvia Robinson moved and Gwen Perkins seconded the Cabinet would continue to fund all programs receiving 100 percent funding with CIF dollars that have no connection to zero to five years of age in FY 2008 and recommend those programs seek alternate funding in FY 2009. Motion carried.

After much discussion, Melissa Ness directed the KU Institute team to prepare a summary of the Cabinet rationale for recommendations to be reviewed by the Cabinet prior to the February 2007 meeting. With that directive from the Chair, the following motion was made:

Motion:
David Wysong moved and Laura Kelly seconded that the Cabinet recommended funding programs receiving 100 percent CIF dollars in FY 2008 and will request of those programs that would need to demonstrate evidence of CIF accountability and show how they fit the criteria of aligning with Cabinet Priorities, in order to receive FY 2009 CIF funding. Motion carried.

Issues for FY 2008 Recommendations

Melissa Ness asked for reflections for review of this process for next year. She announced that Jim Redmon, Jackie Counts and she will be appearing before the Joint Committee on Children’s Issues on November 17 at 9:00 a.m. to update the Committee on where the Cabinet is in CIF evaluation process.

David Wysong asked the KU Institute team or Cabinet staff to decipher final results from the CIF programs and plot into a graph format. The graph should show percentage that complies with Cabinet Priorities and Show Evidence of CIF Accountability.

Laura Kelly complimented the KU Institute team on their work. She said she felt the Cabinet now has a good grasp on its role and said the information presented was useful.

Bobbi Mariani asked whether the recommendation would be announced before the agency budgets are submitted. Melissa Ness commented that although this all will be a challenge, the Cabinet will need to let CIF program contacts know that they are “being put on notice about this process.”

Next Steps for the Cabinet:

1) Finish Recommendations
2) Seek Cabinet support and help articulate the message

Melissa Ness asked the Cabinet what additional information they would like to see.

Mark Gleeson asked if it was known whether there would be reductions in CIF dollars and how can we protect those dollars? Melissa suggested an environmental scan.

Rod Bremby and Laura Kelly talked about the importance of investing in children zero to five. At the same time there needs to be measures ensuring all children zero to 18 years of age have the tools they need.

Don Jordan commented the Cabinet needs to make the effort to see how all programs impact families and communities.

David Wysong suggested someone from the Committee on Appropriations start a grade card of each CIF program, keeping track of progress from year to year.

Adjournment
The Cabinet decided it would schedule its next meeting some time in February 2007. There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

---

Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund
Meeting Minutes
September 29, 2006
Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library
Marvin Auditorium, Room 101-A
1515 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas
9:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Present: Carol Beier, Roderick Bremby, Robert Corkins, Tim Cruz, Don Jordan, Laura Kelly, William Nelson, Melissa Ness, José Olivas, Gwen Perkins, Reginald Robinson,
Shari Weber, and Bobbi Mariani (SRS Secretary Designee).
Staff Present: Jim Redmon and Dyogga Adegbore

Absent: Sylvia Robinson and David Wysong

Guests Present: Jackie Counts, Elenor Buffington, Karin Chang-Rios, and Heather Rasmussen, of The University of Kansas Institute for Educational Research and Public
Services and Kandi Miller and Leulla Sanders with the Wichita Smart Start-United
Way of the Plains

Welcome and Introductions
There was a quorum for this meeting.

Melissa Ness, Children’s Cabinet Chair, called the meeting to order. Melissa welcomed the group and asked for introductions.

Overview/Focus for the Day
Melissa Ness explained the Cabinet meeting’s focus for the day will be to listen to The University of Kansas Institute Team’s Power Point presentation on information gathered so far from the CIF program contacts that will help the process of evaluating the Children’s Initiatives Funded programs. At this meeting, this will give the Cabinet the opportunity to ask questions and request more information. Melissa talked about the KEY fund and the Master Tobacco Settlement decline in monies received since the Children’s Cabinet was set up in 1999. Melissa and Jim will be checking with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Budget Director about the projections for Master Tobacco Settlement dollars and to know what can be expected and report to the Cabinet. Melissa complimented the KU Institute for its consumer-approach at looking at CIF dollars and policy direction.

Jackie Counts, Assistant Director of the Institute for Educational Research and Public Services at The University of Kansas talked about how the KU Institute team would approach the evaluation process of CIF programs. Currently, the team is interviewing the CIF Program contracts and going through survey material. She reported that by the November Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet should have a better idea of program information. The team is looking at an evaluation model used by the Federal Government called Program Assessment Rating Tool or (P.A.R.T.), to assess all programs, see website www.expectmore.gov.

Comments during the PowerPoint presentation included:
During the conversation of funding decline, Bill Nelson asked for projected budget amounts. Don Jordan brought up the issue of federal matching in regard to funding sources and would like that information to be considered when looking at funding programs. Bill Nelson asked if the Cabinet should consider a minimum amount when funding programs.

Discussion following PowerPoint presentation included:
Reginald Robinson suggested that the Cabinet consider using three tier levels when determining recommendations:
1) What are the Cabinet priorities?
2) Does the grant amount clear a threshold for significance?
3) Ask of currently funded programs: Is your program delivering?

Bill Nelson asked what the Cabinet’s allocation to Early Childhood programs is in comparison to other states. He feels that 75 percent of the CIF dollars should go to early childhood programs. Jim Redmon clarified that some states show their funding differently than Kansas.

Priorities
The Cabinet discussed what should be its priorities. There was discussion around birth to five years of age.

Shari Weber talked about the Cabinet’s history and that previously, the Cabinet felt it could meet its “assess and evaluate” charge by the legislature by using Smart Start’s evaluation to be able to show some evaluation for the birth to five category.

Barriers to process
Bobbi Mariani commented that target population categories need to be broken down further in order to know where the dollars are being spent—birth to 18 serves birth to five population, however, it may not be able to see how much of that is with current target population categories.

Significance
The Cabinet talked about how it will measure whether or not the CIF program award amount is significant for the program. This year’s focus has been assessment and evaluation against current criteria.

Other questions
Bob Corkins asked about strategic planning: What is the life of the funding? What happens 5 to 10 years down the road if the dollars are declining? If the Cabinet has less money down the road, should they fund programs that have a perpetual need for funding? Should the Cabinet bring in more or some predictability on revenue streams, i.e., the KEY Fund?

Recommendations
Laura Kelly commented that while the Cabinet may not be able to say that certain program should not be funded, the Cabinet can say that it does support certain programs.

Carol Beier commented that this year, maybe the Cabinet can temper expectations with what to do now and address the other issues in a measured way when more data is available. She suggested the Cabinet highly recommend the programs that have the data and meet the priorities and have another category (less enthusiastic—that do not have enough data to actually recommend) for programs that do not meet priorities/expectations.

There was discussion about establishing three categories for recommendations – Highly recommend, Recommend for Comments, or No Results.

This year, the Cabinet would like to know from the KU Institute and Cabinet staff if there are any programs that rise to the top in terms of evaluation and any that should be viewed with caution. Basic information for this year’s recommendations can be the focus.

José Olivas remarked that he would like to see information included about where programs see themselves in the evaluation process.

Robert Corkins suggested the Cabinet consider whether to focus on programs that are most reliant on CIF funding.

Executive Director Report
Jim Redmon reported on the early childhood communities’ focus on Pre-Kindergarten. There are six PreK Pilot sites in the counties of Geary, Johnson, Reno, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte. These sites serve over 500 children with the expectation of expansion through the state. The evaluation component is coordinated by The University of Kansas Institute along with National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)-Rutgers. There are match classrooms of children not in the PreK sites. A copy of the grantee list was in the meeting packets.

Laura Kelly asked whether there were criteria guidelines for the PreK Pilots. Jim responded yes, there is a list of ten criteria. Not all grantees received the same award amount. The awards are based on number of kids served and location of targeted population in the state.

The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund administers 17 Smart Start Kansas grants across the state serving 47 counties. There will be an RFP offered to current grantees with the idea of posting a competitive RFP next year. At the same time, there will be an RFP offered this fall for Early Childhood Planning grants. A copy of the list of grantees was in the meeting packets

The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund has set another Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant meeting for the early childhood stakeholders in the state for November 16, 2006 in Salina, Kansas. Jim added he just returned from an Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Network meeting which was held in Reston, Virginia.

Jim said that he has had ongoing discussions with various groups on School Readiness Indicators.

Jim reported the agency also administers 17 Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) and Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) grants across the state. The agency will be conducting a meeting with its CBCAP/CTF grantees in Topeka on October 5. The University of Kansas Institute will be facilitating the meeting on technical assistance. A copy of the list of grantees was in the meeting packets

Jim announced that Kansas just received $710,000 in federal monies for use in granting CBCAP grants. He is participating on a group called Prevent Institute in working on developing a parallel Plan as the ECCS for the CBCAP stakeholders. A stakeholders meeting is planned for January 2007 in Lawrence.

Jim reported that Kansas received a $50,000 grant from the National Alliance for Children Trust Fund Prevention for granting to Kansas Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies for prevention work with child care centers.

Adjournment
The next scheduled meeting of the Cabinet was set for Monday, November 13, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. at the Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library in Topeka.

There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

---

KANSAS CHILDREN'S CABINET AND TRUST FUND

NOTICE OF MEETING

The Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund will conduct a cabinet
meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday, November 13, 2006, at
Marvin Auditorium, Room 101-C at the Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library,
Located at 1515 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka. An Agenda will be posted on the
website as soon as it is available. For more information,
contact Dyogga Adegbore at 785-368-7044.
Public comments and questions are a part of every Children's Cabinet meeting.

Jim Redmon
Executive Director

---

Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund Meeting Minutes
Conference Room
900 S.W. Jackson, Room 152, Topeka, Kansas
1:00 p.m.
January 9, 2006

Present:          Melissa Ness, Gwen Perkins, José Olivas, David Wysong, Laura Kelly, Shari Weber, Roderick Bremby, Reginald Robinson, Gayle Stuber (KSDE-Designee),
Mark Gleeson (Supreme Court-Designee), Bobbi Mariani (SRS-Designee)

Via telephone: Bill Nelson, Sylvia Robinson, Tim Cruz, and Carol Beier

Staff Present: Jim Redmon and Dyogga Adegbore

Guests Present: Jennifer Crow, Office of the Governor and Julie Thomas, Office of the Budget

Welcome and Introductions
Melissa Ness, Children's Cabinet Chair, welcomed the group and asked for introductions
There was a quorum for this meeting.

Pre-K Pilot Initiative:

Prior to the meeting, the Cabinet received a copy of background material consisting of a white paper on a proposal for the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund to administer grants for six (6) Pre-K Pilot models across the state. The National Institute of Early Education Research (NIEER) would evaluate the sites. The Children’s Initiative Fund (CIF) would be one source of funding for the grants and other monies would come from foundations. Melissa Ness asked for a motion for an executive session: for the purpose of discussing embargoed information relative to the state budget.

It was moved by Laura Kelly and seconded by José Olivas for the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to meet in executive session for the purpose of discussing the Pre-K pilot proposal as presented to the Cabinet. Motion carried 9-0.

Executive Session started at 1:05 p.m. and ended at 1:20 p.m.

It was moved by Bill Nelson and seconded by José Olivas for the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to return to regular session. Motion carried 9-0.
It was moved by Bill Nelson and seconded by David Wysong that the Kansas Children’s Cabinet approve and support a proposal to invest in a Pre-K Pilot proposal with Children’s Initiative Funds. Motion carried 9-0.

There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:23. p.m. 

---

Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund Meeting Minutes
Old Hayden High School Building, Lower Level
212 SW 8th Street, Topeka, Kansas
9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
December 14, 2005 

Present: Melissa Ness, Carol Beier, Gwen Perkins, José Olivas, Sylvia Robinson, David Wysong, Gayle Stuber (KSDE-Designee) and Mark Gleeson (Supreme Court-Designee)

Staff Present: Jim Redmon and Dyogga Adegbore

Welcome and Introduction

Melissa Ness, Children’s Cabinet Chair, welcomed the group to the meeting and asked for introductions. Newest members Carol Beier, Sylvia Robinson, Gwen Perkins, José Olivas, and David Wysong were able to attend. All of the Ex Officio members and most voting members were unable to attend the meeting. As such focused attention was given to orientation of the new Cabinet members.

Members received a copy of the February  25, 2005, minutes as a matter of record.

Roles and Responsibilities

Melissa directed everyone’s attention to the meeting packet and went over the roles and responsibilities of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet will meet three times a year to talk about: 1) Programming: Discuss Early Learning/School Readiness in Kansas and Children’s Trust Fund matters;  2) Evaluation: Recommend to the Governor and State Legislature programs for funding with Children’s Initiative Funds based on an evaluation mechanism in place for children’s programs. 3) Advocacy: Collaborate with the State Early Learning Coordinating Council in order to bring early learning players in the state to the table to generate ideas that will make Kansas the best place to raise a child through the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant Plan. The Cabinet staff will undertake a similar planning process in child abuse prevention with the assistance of The University of Kansas.

Children’s Cabinet Overview and Review of Children’s Initiative Fund

Jim Redmon, Executive Director, went over a handout on the use of tobacco money in Kansas. The Master Settlement Agreement was established in 1998, and negotiated by the states and four major tobacco companies. In the agreement, tobacco manufactures that are subject to the settlement are required to make payments to the states in perpetuity, with payments estimated to total $206 billion through the year 2025.
Money from the settlement will be used for national research projects, tobacco-related public education programs, and other national activities relating to curtailing the use of tobacco products. Jim explained the KEY Fund and the Children’s Initiative Fund established by the legislature to take-in the monies from the settlement and reinvest in children’s programs.
The Cabinet reviewed the founding legislation, House Bill 2558, which establishes the Children’s Cabinet.

Jim talked about the plan to hire an assistant director at the office to oversee evaluation of C.I.F. programs. Sylvia Robinson expressed the importance of this post knowing how to identify good, meaningful evaluation data and asking the right questions to obtain it.
Jim talked about the 17 Smart Start Kansas grants the Cabinet oversees. The grantees serve 47 counties. Approximately $8.8 million has been allocated for 0-5 year old programs. The Cabinet has contracted with COSMOS Corporation Inc. in Maryland to evaluate data collected from the initial seven Smart Start grantees for the past five years. Jim will be receiving a report in early 2006. A Smart Start grant renewal RFP went out in late November, with applications due December 7. The renewal grants will run January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. A copy of the Smart Start Kansas Renewal Grant RFP was in the meeting packet.
The Cabinet talked about contacting Harold “Bud” Hodgekissen, a nationally known demographer to speak to the Cabinet about Kansas demographics. Several attendees commented on the simple and easy yet meaningful and fascinating way in which he presents demographic information.

Review of Children’s Trust Fund

Jim Redmon reported the Cabinet currently oversees 18 Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grantees across the state. Monies acquired through fees from marriage licenses, Children’s Trust Fund license plates and Limited Edition artwork prints are collected toward CTF activities in the state along receiving federal grant monies annually.
There are approximately 390 Children’s Trust Fund license plates registered in Kansas.
Currently, Jackie Counts and her colleagues with the Institute for Educational Research and Public Service at The University of Kansas have been contracted with by the Cabinet to perform peer reviews and set up a Comprehensive CBCAP Logic Model and Plan with an evaluation process of the CBCAPs. KU is currently looking at indicators and outcomes established by the CBCAP grantees. Jim commented on the expert, efficient preliminary data he can count on from Jackie and her KU colleagues.

Budget/Administration

Jim had invited Paula Hinman, a SRS fiscal analyst for the Children’s Cabinet to attend the meeting to be available to answer any questions.
A copy of the Children Cabinet and Trust Fund Consolidated Agency sheet was in the packets for review.

Personnel and Capacity

Currently, there are two staff at the Children’s Cabinet office. Jim said that he has considered hiring an Assistant Director for Evaluation of C.I.F. programming. Cabinet members will be asked to review and give feedback on the position description for this position. Copies of the Jim’s and Dyogga’s resumes were in the meeting packet.
The Cabinet broke for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and reconvened at 12:15 p.m.

Framing the Work of the Cabinet

Jim introduced Jackie Counts, Assistant Director, Institute for Educational Research and Public Service with The University of Kansas. The Children’s Cabinet contracts with K.U. who has moved forward the development of the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant plan started by Tracy Wohl, a former employee of Kansas Department of Health & Environment.
Jackie presented the Plan through a power point presentation of the Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Plan. The Plan consists of School Readiness, ECCS Grant, and the Governor’s FY’06 priorities. The Plan covers the Kansas Vision of School Readiness, the four pieces of the puzzle-Family, Community, School, and Child. The ECCS Grant merges five goals-Medical Homes & Insurance; Integrated Mental Health; Early Childhood Care and Education; Parent Education; and Family Support with 17 objectives. The combined goals and school readiness vision make up the Kansas School Readiness Plan. The players include over 100 individuals statewide who participated in two recent meetings, one in April 2005 and a second in November 2005.

The final result of those meetings is the creation of the Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems website, www.keccs.org. managed by John Green, an Information Technology expert at K.U. Jackie went over the implementation tracking mechanism used on the website. It keeps track of tasks and activities inputted by the various stakeholders.
Jackie distributed and discussed the KECCS Data notebook with the Cabinet members. Gayle Stuber (KSDE-Designee) gave background information about the School Readiness information tab as Kansas State Department of Education collected the data.  The Plan has the involvement of several state and private agencies in Kansas and the support of Governor Sebelius. It was noted that Kansas was listed as one of 18 states in the nation with a comprehensive early childhood plan developed.

Roles: Recommendations and Oversight

Strategic Decision-Making and Evaluation

Melissa commented that there will be decisions the cabinet will need to make between now and the next meeting. Cabinet members may be called upon to participate via teleconference call regarding policies.

Melissa mentioned the next regular meeting of the Cabinet will be scheduled either late April or early May 2006. She said the Cabinet could schedule Mr. Harold Hodgekissen to speak at the Cabinet Retreat.

Staff will be contacting the Cabinet members for biographical sketches and photographs for the Children’s Cabinet website.

Cabinet members asked about the timeline for hiring the Assistant Director. Jim replied within the next month or so. He encouraged feedback from the Cabinet on the position description and suggestions for candidates.

Mark Gleeson (Supreme Court-Designee) asked that Dr. Angela Ware with COSMOS Corporation Inc. be asked to address the Cabinet as the final Smart Start Kansas data is completed and available.

There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

---

February 25, 2005

Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund Meeting Minutes
SRS Learning Center, Room B
2600 SW East Circle Drive South, Topeka, Kansas
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Present: Melissa Ness-Chair, Reginald Robinson, Tim Cruz (via telephone), Lynne Owen
(KSDE-Designee), Linda Kenney (KDHE-Designee), Bobbi Mariani (SRS-Designee),
Dennis Casarona (JJA-Designee), and Mark Gleeson (Supreme Court-Designee)

Staff Present: Jim Redmon and Dyogga AdegboreAbsent: Rod Bremby, Denise Everhart, Mabel Rice, Jean Schodorf, Patti Hayden, Andy Tompkins,
Gary Daniels, Marla Luckert, Laura Kelly, Bill Nelson, Shari Weber, and Marvin Barkis

Guests Present: Doug Bowman, Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Developmental
Services (CCECDS)-KDHE
Nancy Lindberg, Kansas Children’s Campaign/Kansas Action for Children

Approval of Minutes
Since a quorum of the Cabinet was not present, no action was taken on approving the minutes of November 19, 2004, September 17, 2004, and January 30, 2004.

Chair Report
Chairman Ness stated the Cabinet did not have an advocacy plan per se. The Cabinet’s role has broaden in children’s initiative funding. The legislature will not release funds to CIF programs unless the program had an evaluation plan in place. The Children’s Cabinet will be providing technical assistance for the grantees and CIF programs.

Chairman Ness asked the respective Agency Designees to encourage their Cabinet Secretary to attend the Cabinet meetings since their assistance is needed in carrying out interagency collaborations.

The Agency Designees were reminded to advise their Cabinet Secretary of the June 16-17, 2005 Cabinet Retreat. The location has not yet been determined. The Retreat will be a time for the Cabinet to go over the recommendations to the Governor on CIF evaluation of programs.

Chairman Ness talked about the Governor’s State of Early Learning Address held in January. Governor Sebelius discussed early intervention and early learning. It was a good opportunity for all early learning advocates to hear the Governor’s message in order to have a common message to send.

Nancy Lindberg provided copies of the KAC newsletter focusing on Smart Start Kansas. Currently 47 counties are served by Smart Start Kansas dollars and over 30,000 children receive the services. (Attached is copy of the KAC newsletter).

Executive Director Report
Interim Executive Director Jim Redmon talked about upcoming Request for Proposals the Children’s Cabinet will be announcing: Smart Start Kansas Planning Grant RFP - Announced in spring 2005; Community-Based Child Abuse and Neglect RFP - Announced in late spring or early summer 2005; Finalize the CBCAP Report and submit to Feds – Spring 2005.

The group received copies of the list of current 18 CBCAP and 17 Smart Start grantees.

The Children’s Cabinet office will be soliciting for applications for ten more Smart Start Planning Grants this year.

Jim remarked that the Children’s Cabinet would be making funding recommendations for Children’s Initiative Funding based on receipt of evaluation data provided to the office by the CIF Programs.

Jim reported that The University of Kansas’ Institute for Educational Research and Public Services are helping Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet develop the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant plan. Plans are in the works for holding the strategic planning meeting at the campus in April 2005. Members of the Cabinet and various early learning advocates across the state will be invited to the meeting.

New Business
Nothing to report.

Executive Session
At 10:15 a.m. there was a motion and a second to go into executive session for the purpose to discuss personnel issues. Motion carried. At the conclusion of the executive session, Chairman Ness announced the appointment of Jim Redmon as Executive Director to be effective March 1, 2005. Jim has been with the Kansas Children’s Cabinet since December 2003. He first served as Assistant Director before his appointment as Interim Executive Director in June 2004.

Future Meetings
June 16-17, 2005 Retreat; September 9, 2005; and November 18, 2005.

There being no further business for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.