MINUTES OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE
OF THE WHOLE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING WITH COUNTY OF SANTA
CLARA - CHILDREN, SENIORS AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022
Consistent with AB 361 and City of San Jose Resolution Nos. 79485, 80237, 80266, 80290, 80323, 80343, 80363 and 80400, this meeting was not physically open to the public and the Neighborhood Services and Education Committee Members were teleconferencing fr om remote locations.. Public comments were accepted via eComment, email, by phone/Webinar or online.
The Committee meeting was teleconferenced from remote locations and convened at 10:05 a.m.
PRESENT: Councilmember Sylvia Arenas , Chair; C ouncilmember Magdalena Carrasco, Vice Chair; Councilmember Maya Esparza, member.
ABSENT: Councilmember David Cohen; Councilmember Sergio Jimenez.
COUNTY: Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Chairperson; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, Vice Chairperson; Deputy City Clerk Peggy Doyle, Santa Clara County.
Councilmember Sylvia Arenas provided opening comments.
(a) The purpose of this Special Heari ng Relating to Child Well -Being was to receive a report from the County of Santa Clara Office of the County Executive, Santa Clara County Office of Education, and the San José Office of the City Manager relating to funding opportunities and priorities to close service gaps in childcare, early education, and overall child and youth well - being programs.
Deputy County Executive, Rocio Luna, began the presentation with Investments in Children and Youth. Deputy City Manager Angel Rios introduced Laura Buzo, Assistant to the City Manager who reported on the status of the Master Plan, Funding and Program P riorities: Children and Families.
Maria De Leon, Deputy Director, City of San José spoke on proposed programming and equity, followed by Library Deputy Director, Michelle Ornat . Santa Clara Office of Education, Antonio Fuentes, Director ELS spoke to eligibility for a publicly funded ECE program, slots and services.
Veronica Garza, Manager of EDIDS, spoke to childcare resource & referral, and additional supports & services.
JOINT COUNTY NSE MEETING – Children, Seniors & Family Committee March 25, 2021
2 Deputy City Manager Angel Rios & Keith Morales Director GO KIDS responded to questions.
(b) Receive report from the City of San José and County of Santa Clara relating to the utilization, rehabilitation, and development of licensed and license-exempt childcare facilities, on-traditional spaces to expand programs, childcare slots, and support workforce development in communities with greater need.
Deputy County Executive , Rocio Luna, began with Growing Early Learning & Care (ELC) Workforce and Funding Opportunities.
Wendi Mahaney -Gurahoo, San Jose Unified Board of Education continued with Workforce Development, and Library Director Jill Bourne spoke to affordable housing and affordable childcare. Maria De Leon , Deputy Director, City of San José , spoke on expandi ng site evaluations.
Vidya Kilambi spoke to supporting a growing SJ workforce through Google Community Benefit funds, and Deputy City Manager Angel Rios provided final comments.
A question-and-answer period was provided, and Veronica Goei , Grail Family Services responded to questions from Councilmember Sylvia Arenas on the Jobs to Grow initiative, along with Victor Vasquez, SOMOS Mayfair; Juan Cruz, FMSD ; and Dr. Hilaria Bauer, Alum Rock Union School District.
(c) Receive a report from the County of Santa Clara Cross Agency Service Team and FIRST 5 Santa Clara County relating to transformative steps taken towards integrating comprehensive, social emotional, and trauma-informed centered care in children and youth programs.
Arcel Blume, Director, Office of Cultural Competency offered comments on the Cross-Agency Services Team (CAST)
. Daniel Little, Director, Department of Family Services; Patty Irwin, Sr.
Management Analyst; spoke to the Service Delivery Model – Single system of support framework. Patricia Gardner, Interim CEO at First5 continued the presentation.
Public Comments:
1. Alejandra Gutierrez spoke to her personal experiences with Yes We Can and her aspirations to start her own childcare business. She encouraged support of the Mayor’s proposal for financial support.
2. Amber Mopress of African American Services Agency, spoke to the importance of the childcare program and need to address program accessibility.
3. Gabriel – Si Se Puede Collective: spoke on leveraging County and City resources and need to provide opportunities.
4. Quyen Vuong spoke to her work with Vietnamese families, asking that outreach be made to provide sufficient slots to offer services to Vietnamese families, noting the need to change cultural perspectives and readiness for children in entering kindergarten.
5. Kathleen King, Help Your Kids Foundation, spoke to services their organization has offered within Santa Clara County, and she offered appreciation for the funding and support received.
6. Jill Borders commented on childcare needs, affordable housing and need for commercial/community spaces, contrary to Council’s move away from providing bottom floor space in new construction.
JOINT COUNTY NSE MEETING – Children, Seniors & Family Committee March 25, 2021
3 7. Beverley Waithaka, African American Services Agency, spoke to importance of programs.
8. Brian Wheatley spoke to the racial gap in preschool areas and the need to do better.
9. Steve Eckert, Alum Rock Counseling Center CEO, gave support of recommendations and extension of BEST programs.
10. Egyptsheanna Lundy, African American Services Agency, spoke to importance of children’s’ well-being.
11. Blair Beekman spoke on racial equity issues and importance of baseline services.
12. Yolanda Valadez spoke to the collective she is working with to meet the need of daycare providers.
13. Raeena Lari expressed support.
14. Dilza Gonzalez, SOMAS Mayfair, spoke on proper investment of funds.
15. Rosa Hurtado urged public awareness.
Vice Chair Susan Ellenberg and several community partners spoke, addressing various aspects of the presentations given.
Chairperson Cindy Chavez offered the following motion: Directing the Administration to report to the Committee in April 2022 relating to recommended County funding regarding childcare and early learning and anticipated recommended funding by the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE); coordinate applications for Federal and State grants and other ongoing funding with the City of San Jose, SCCOE, and County nonprofit partners; and, report to the C ommittee by Fall 2023 relating to policy alignment between the County, City of San Jose, and SCCOE regarding early learning and childcare, including areas of current alignment and how the County provides childcare as an employer.
Vice Chairperson Ellenberg seconded the motion with an additional reques t that FIRST 5 Santa Clara County be expressly identified as a County nonprofit partner; and, Administration include in the Office of Children and Families Policy Advocate work plan an analysis of prior efforts to confirm alignment with County goals.
Action: On a call for the question, the motion carried unanimously. (2-0.)
Motion: Councilmember Sylvia Arenas moved the following, which was seconded by Councilmember Maya Esparza:
1. Accept the reports from items 2a, 2b, and 2c.
2. Direct the City Manager to develop a Child and Youth Well-Being Strategic Plan, similar to the Gender Based Violence Response and Strategy Workplan, to report back to the NSE Committee on a quarterly basis.
3. Direct the City Manager to develop a Child and Youth Masterplan to implement an equity lens, place- based strategy, and strategically align all City child and youth scholarships, programs, initiatives, address priorities items through the City/County Joint Special Meetings on Child Well-Being, and report back to NSE Committee by Fall 2022.
4. Direct the City Manager to return to Council with an allocation plan for the Child and Youth Services in $10.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds and refer to the Budget Process.
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JOINT COUNTY NSE MEETING – Children, Seniors & Family Committee March 25, 2021
4 5. Direct the City Manager to establish a Child and Youth Masterplan Working Group at the City to formalize the collaboration between the City of San José and key community organizations and stakeholders, County, FIRST5, SCCOE, including those with community lived experience.
6. Direct the City Manager to produce a Manager’s Budget Addendum (MBA) on the costs to expand recreational hours and options to supplement and fill the gaps for Title 1 Schools throughout the City of San José and refer to the Budget Process.
7. Direct the City Manager to explore aligning the Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregi ver Support Program with the FIRST5 and Santa Clara County workforce development systems, as well as with the efforts of community stakeholders, such as the Si Se Puede Collective (Jobs to Grow Program), including Grail Family Services and SOMOS Mayfair to maximize resources
Action: On a call for the question, the motion carried unanimously. (3-0-2. Absent: Cohen, Jimenez.)
1. Jill Borders spoke to children for equity.
2. Blair Beekman addressed concerns regarding study sessions that have been canceled. He encouraged peaceful negotiations for Ukraine.
3. Janet Holt spoke to public outreach and the use of neighborhood associations and digital info in libraries as a source for disseminating resources.
4. Jose Soto from Catholic Charities spoke to suicidal ideation and resources needed for this cry for help.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Sylvia Arenas adjourned the meeting at 12:01 p.m.
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Councilmember Sylvia Arenas
Neighborhood Services and Education Committee
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