Family Services Committee

Family Services Committee
(Formerly Work Family Advsory Council)
Meeting Notes from January 10, 2008
Present: Lauran Jacoby, Linda Starr, Sue Dale-Hall, Tine Reimers, Helen Steh, Alan Chambers, Gwendolyn Dean, Lynette Chappell-Williams, Bill Liddick, Regina Duffey Moravek, Beth McKinney, Paul Ginsparg, Patti Eickhoff (by Phone), Kris DeLuca Beach, Michelle Artibee (guest), Abe Stroock (Guest), Rose Braman (scribe)

Members introduced themselves and their position at the University. Lynette provided an overview of the committees’ role and structure.

Abe Stroock, who serves on the University Child Care Services Subcommittee, shared with members, the history of this sub-committee, why it was formed:

• Suggestion to form the committee came from M. Opperman
• University Assembly would be our vehicle to the President and act on our behalf
• Suggestion to have one committee member sit on the UA Subcommittee to act as liaison
• Structure of committee is in the hands of the FSC

Abe provided an update of the University Assembly Child Care Services Subcommittee and how they are working with Bright Horizons on the operational decision matrix of the Cornell Child Care Center. A copy of the matrix was provided to members of the committee.

Abe has asked FSC to help work on the New Cornell Child Care Center’s mission statement.

Lynette informed members of the upcoming child care center parent information sessions in March for grad/professional students and April for staff & faculty.

Status of the Child Care Center was given by Lynette:

• Operational Decision Matrix is almost complete
• Construction of center on schedule
• Estimated open date is August 2008
• ECC’s closing has been postponed until the expected completion of Child Care Center (August 2008)
• Current ECC families will have priority for day care slots for pre-school age children
• Bright Horizons needs time to set up prior to the official opening
• Human Ecology research and undergraduate education will still be conducted, on a limited basis, at the Child Care Center (by an observation deck)
• Fees will be established and will be different depending on age group
• ListServ was created for sending out updates on the center (Lynette ask that all members of this committee be put on the list)
• There’s consideration of offering child care grant for the opening of the center to supplement tuition rates
• Selection process of Center Director has begun
• Teacher’s Interviews for the center will begin 3 months before the opening of the center

Discussion on the curriculum as it relates to value of diversity was not on the matrix but is included in Bright Horizon literature. Also, on the effect that the center would have on small day care facilities within the community on draining of staff and families.

Lynette asked the group to review the 39 recommendations that were originally reported by the Task Force for Working Families and we would discuss them at the next meeting.

Abe asked to have the date of the next meeting of the UA Child Care Services Subcommittee sent to all members of the committee.

The committee’s meeting scheduled would be set monthly and preferable on Monday’s. Future dates to be determined.