First 5 Sacramento Commission Meeting - November 12, 2024

The First 5 Sacramento Commission met on November 12, 2024, at an afternoon session (the raw transcript cites November 4, 2024; this summary uses the provided date but notes the discrepancy). A quorum of 11 of 13 commissioners was present. The meeting featured a retirement resolution for Commissioner Michelle Kayas, approval of routine items, a clean audit report, and an update on a participatory grant making process for a racial equity funding pathway.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the off-agenda public comment period or during public hearings on specific action items.

Discussion Items

• Recognition of Commissioner Michelle Kayas: Chair Serna presented a resolution honoring Commissioner Kayas for her service since 2022, highlighting her work at the Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS) to reduce child abuse and neglect, expand Birth & Beyond programs to serve children ages 16–17, cover court-ordered parenting classes, and lead the Black Child Legacy Campaign, which reduced infant sleep-related deaths and child abuse deaths. Commissioners and staff delivered heartfelt remarks praising her collaboration, prevention focus, and humor. Commissioner Kayas expressed gratitude and noted that prevention work has been a cornerstone of her career.
• Executive Director’s Report (Julie):
  • The 25th Anniversary Power Building Summit on November 14 will have 10 commissioners attending; Chair Serna will serve on a panel about blending/braiding funds.
  • Racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) updates: partnership with Commissioner Wesley’s group to distribute Black family culture kits to family resource centers.
  • Spotlight on parent leaders Keisha Harris (grant writing course for her nonprofit July Forward) and Justin Margolis (Nurturing Fathers training to launch a Father Engagement Network).
  • The fiscal year 2023-24 audit was submitted with no findings (a clean audit) but could not be presented in time due to the October 31 deadline; it will be reviewed at the February 2025 meeting. Staff suggested adding a December meeting to future calendars to allow sufficient review time.
• Committee Reports:
  • Advisory Committee (Junior Goris): Met October 11; remembered the late Commissioner Steve Wirtz; brainstormed topics for the 2025 long-range agenda.
  • Financial Committee (Commissioner Hassett): Elected Robin Blanks Guster as vice chair; reviewed and approved the 2025 committee calendar; noted first-quarter financial statements were on budget; received an initial presentation on participatory grant making from Touchstone Leadership Group.
  • Systems Optimization and Sustainability Committee (Commissioner Williams): Heard a similar update on participatory grant making; discussed Ready communications and systems change work with the Health Management Association.
• Presentation: Participatory Grant Making for REDI Funding Pathway (Stephanie McLemore Bray):
  • Two community assemblies (one virtual, one in-person on October 23) were held to design a deliberative panel that will decide grant awards for BIPOC-led and serving organizations.
  • Outreach targeted over 270 organizations; 83 registered and 60 attended. Demographics: nearly half African American, 16% White, 13% Latino, 13% mixed race, plus a small Middle Eastern contingent. 72% were community-based organizations, 10% businesses, 10% community members.
  • Key themes from the assemblies: excitement about a fair process, concerns about sustainability of $4 million in funding, need for accessibility (simpler applications, compensation, easy locations), and the importance of including youth with lived experience as panelists.
  • Participants emphasized that the panel should include representatives from grassroots organizations without staff, not just the “usual suspects.” A formal report with recommendations for panel recruitment will be delivered in December.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of October 7, 2024 Draft Action Summary: Approved unanimously by roll call vote (11 ayes).
• Approval of Contract with Jasmine Clark Public Relations: A $31,000 contract for fiscal year 2024-25 for communications related to racial equity, website development, marketing, and editorial planning. Approved unanimously after a public hearing with no public testimony.
• Nomination and Appointment of 2025 Vice Chair: Commissioner Beth Hassett was re-nominated and unanimously appointed as Vice Chair for 2025.
• Approval of 2025 Meeting Calendar: The calendar, with seven meetings (including an additional March meeting to accommodate participatory grant making discussions), was approved unanimously.

Discrepancy Note

• The provided meeting date is November 12, 2024, while the raw transcript repeatedly states the meeting occurred on November 4, 2024. This summary uses the supplied date but acknowledges the inconsistency between the source materials.