Amanda Amaral

The meeting began with a welcome and a brief member highlight recognizing the Treasurer as the member of the month. Key agenda items included the election of 2025-2026 Policy Council Officers, where positions for Secretary (vacant) and Sergeant-at-Arms (Maira Benhumea) were addressed. Due to a lack of quorum, several items were informational only, including the tabled adoption of previous minutes. Fiscal reports through October 2025 were presented, and a budget revision request to repurpose unspent salary and fringe benefits funds was submitted for future action. Updates included a notice of award regarding the reduction in Early Head Start slots and an overview of the 2025-2026 Program Goals emphasizing high-quality, inclusive services. The annual self-assessment process overview was also shared. Discussions also covered the restructuring and goals of the Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee and provided enrollment updates through November 2025, showing 95% enrollment for Early Head Start and 85% for Head Start.

Key discussions included End-of-Month enrollment reports for November 28, 2025, showing 58% enrollment for Early Head Start (EHS) and 85% for Head Start (HS) preschool, alongside reports for children with disabilities (10.8% for EHS and 11.4% for HS preschool). The status of the 2025-2026 Self-Assessment Process was provided, along with updates on Unusual Incident Reports (UIR) and Community Care Licensing (CCL) visits, which included one Type A violation. Fiscal reports through October 31, 2025, were reviewed, detailing credit card purchases for storage units and conferences. The Notice of Award from the Office of Head Start (OHS) was presented, noting a reduction in EHS slots due to chronically underenrolled status, with funds to be reflected in the next year's budget. A major action item was the approval of the 2025-2026 Budget Revision, allocating approximately $2,100,000 in unobligated funds across various projects, including strategic planning, network equipment, playground structures, vehicles, and marketing costs.

Key discussions during the meeting included the election of 2025-2026 Policy Council officers, with the Treasurer position filled and Secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms remaining vacant for the subsequent meeting. Fiscal reports covering information up to the end of September 2025 were presented. The Director of Head Start shared and discussed the proposed goals for the 2025-2026 program year and provided an overview of the goals for the 2026-2027 program year, which received a recommendation for approval. The meeting also covered an overview of the Tiered Cooperative Agreement process, training on Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA), and enrollment updates for both Head Start and Early Head Start programs through October 2025, including disability enrollment percentages. Finally, an announcement was shared regarding the naming of Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith as the new Acting Director of the Office of Head Start and confirmation that OHS resumed normal operations following a government funding bill.

The meeting included program updates covering End-of-Month Enrollment and Children with Disabilities Reports, noting 98% enrollment for Early Head Start and 83% for Head Start preschool, along with facility update needs. Updates were also provided on Unusual Incident Reports (UIR) and Community Care Licensing (CCL) visits. In fiscal matters, a monthly financial report through September 30, 2025, was reviewed, including details on credit card purchases for storage units. The Governing Board was asked to approve the proposed 2026-2027 program goals, noting an additional goal was added. Discussions also covered the submission status of the funding application and the potential request for a Year 6 No-Cost extension to complete projects.

The meeting commenced with training for Policy Council members covering the Brown Act, Robert's Rules, and meeting practices. Public comment addressed recent news regarding a former partner, emphasizing that service quality remains unaffected. Key actions included the election of 2025-2026 Policy Council Officers, where several positions were filled, leaving others vacant until the November meeting. The Council also approved the 2026-2027 funding revision and slot allocation revision, as well as the 2026-2027 Year 1 Refunding PPC Approval. Additionally, approval was granted for the 1303 Checklist Application to fund the Sutherland classroom project using carryover funds. Fiscal reports through August 2025 were presented, and updates on enrollment for Head Start and Early Head Start, including services for children with disabilities, were provided. Communications from the Office of Head Start regarding addressing vacant slots due to absenteeism and forthcoming Federal Monitoring guidance were shared.