Sacramento First Five Commission Meeting - June 12, 2024

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting was held on June 3, 2024, but the user specified the date as June 12, 2024. This summary uses the user-provided date.

The Sacramento First Five Commission convened on June 12, 2024, with Chair Cerna presiding. The meeting covered a wide range of items including approval of prior minutes, committee updates, recognition of the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) cohort, funding approvals, contract amendments, and a presentation on racial equity and participatory grant making. The commission took several unanimous votes and heard impassioned testimony from community members and PLTI graduates.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approval of April 8, 2024 Draft Action Summary – Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 8 (PLTI Presentation): Multiple speakers addressed the commission in support of the PLTI program and their individual projects. Speakers included:
  • Alia Middleton and Josiah Hartz (Priceless Gems) – Spoke about the need for culturally responsive services for Black youth and sex trafficking victims.
  • Crystal Hardy (facilitator and alumni) – Expressed gratitude and called for continued funding.
  • May Copeland (doula, Health to Grow) – Advocated for funding to support her doula practice and nutrition programs for mothers.
• Item 13 (Overdue Invoice): David Baker (Sacramento Children's Home) expressed appreciation for the commission's work and support for PLTI, and noted that the mandated parenting classes funding was included in the county budget.
• No public speakers were present for non-agenda items or other agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Item 3: Executive Director's Report – Julie reported on staffing updates, the end of mandated parenting class funding (previously $1 million/year), a growth request to the Board of Supervisors, and state budget advocacy efforts.
• Item 4: Advisory Committee Update – Robin Blank Suster reported on the April 12 meeting, including a dragon breath icebreaker, appointment of an alternate, and an update on the SAC Family Connect website.
• Item 5: Evaluation Committee Update – Commissioner Wirtz reviewed two meetings where 16 RBA evaluation plans were discussed, along with updates to informed consent and family information forms.
• Item 7: Systems Optimization and Sustainability Committee Update – Commissioner Gordon reported on a focus on livable wage values, strategic planning, and the link between participatory grant making and community equity.
• Item 8: Recognition of 2024 PLTI Cohort and Presentation of Projects – This was a major highlight. The Spanish and English cohorts presented their community projects, including:
  • Kalyashi Jackson (alumni) – Prices on Purpose, supporting Black and brown girls affected by trafficking.
  • Gabriela Narvaez – Root of Love affirmation cards.
  • Javid – Support for SIV immigrants from Afghanistan.
  • Edmida Yanira Gomez – Parent involvement in schools.
  • Diana Harris – FLIP (financial literacy).
  • Melda – Family court system support.
  • Robin Battle – Little Free Library.
  • Yasmin Herrera Viltenz – Project Life Saver (elderly wandering).
  • Justin Margolis – Fatherhood support group. Commissioners expressed deep appreciation and committed to ongoing funding.
• Item 9: Funding Recommendations within 24 Strategic Plan – Up to $590,000 approved for childcare coalition, parent cafe trainings, internal ready work, and participatory grant making.
• Item 10: Amendments and Reauthorization of Contracts – Up to $13,650,027 approved to correct attachments and extend contract terms for Birth and Beyond, Black Child Legacy Campaign, and ASR evaluation services.
• Item 11: CalWorks Home Visitation Program Revenue and Expenditure Agreements – Up to $4.7 million approved; discussion about potential state budget cuts (47% reduction possible) and contingency plans.
• Item 12: Building Strong Families Amendment – Approval to extend contract term and increase expenditure by $120,000 for oversight.
• Item 13: Overdue Payment to CAPC – $179,383.39 approved for an overlooked June 2021 invoice for AmeriCorps services; controls reviewed.
• Item 14: Public Hearing on 24-27 Strategic Plan – No changes recommended; hearing closed.
• Item 15: Public Hearing on First Five California Annual Report 23-24 – Presented by Carmen; hearing closed.
• Item 16: Presentation on Racial Equity and Participatory Grant Making – April Jean and Stephanie McLemore Bray outlined the multi-year process, including capacity building and the new participatory grant making model (PGM) for $300,000/year. Commissioners raised concerns about expectations, gatekeeping, and community voice.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous votes on all agenda items requiring action (Items 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13).
• Endorsement of PLTI: Commission affirmed three-year funding for one cohort per year, with openness to partnerships for additional cohorts.
• Directives: Staff directed to continue work on participatory grant making, to report on state budget impacts on CalWorks, and to ensure auditor is informed of the overlooked invoice.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned in memory of Penny Clark, a founding member of the First Five Commission.

Note on date discrepancy: The transcript begins with "Monday, June 3rd, 2024", but the user specified the meeting date as June 12, 2024. This summary uses the latter date.