Child Development
Advisory Committee

LACC 2007-2008 Child Development Advisory Committee Meeting

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited.”
Plutarch

November 16, 2007

In Attendance:

1. Cheryl welcomed the participants and mentioned this was a time to refresh ourselves as a Child development community.
2. The following representatives from the LACC campus administration were introduced by Kathleen Bimber, Family Consumer Studies/Child Development Chair:

a. Kathleen Burke-Kelly, Vice-President of Academic Affairs, welcomed all participants.
b. Allison Jones, dean of Academic Affairs greeted the committee and praised the coordination between the community and the Child Development Department.

3. Mary Skousen-Radford led participants in introducing themselves and the agencies they represent.
4. Kathleen Bimber introduced the state community college Child Development Alignment Project. This Project is an effort statewide to promote agreement on a 24 unit core in Child Development which will facilitate continuity within teacher preparation programs and eventually ease transfer to CSU’s. Kathleen presented a power point outlining the 8 subject matter areas. (Child, family and Community; Health, Safety and Nutrition; Observation and Assessment; Principles and Practices; Teaching in a Diverse Society; Child Growth and Development; Introduction to Curriculum; and Practicum)
5. Patty Schmolze instructed participants at each table to list teacher preparation outcomes for their subject area The table topics were taken from the alignment project and were the following:

a. Child Development and Learning (typical and atypical)
b. School, Family and community Partnerships
c. Observation and Assessment
d. Curriculum Development (including culturally responsive and adaptive curriculum)
e. Professional Skills, Ethical Standards, and Behaviors
f. Teaching Young Children
g. Equity, Fairness and Diversity
h. Positive Guidance
i. Health, Safety and Nutrition

Participants added Learning outcomes associated with each topic at their table. The emphasis was on skills and abilities that teachers need to process after completing 24 units in Child Development

6. The top recommendations made to the Child Development Department from the Advisory Committee were the following:

a. Provide training and information for working with dual language learners.
b. Coordination in advisement between CSU’s and Community Colleges and continued creativity in providing counseling and counseling opportunities.
c. Continued communication with our Department to provide an educated workforce for teachers and substitute teachers.
d. Explore teaching Child Development classes at a large school in the community. Ex. Camino Nuevo.
e. Continue to educate students about culturally sensitive communication in their work with families.
f. Educating students in professional responsibilities and ethical content and behavior in the classrooms with children.
g. Exploring and providing resources for Family Day Care providers for ‘next step’ classes or training

7. Folders:

a. Cheryl Werble, prepared folders for each member in attendance and pointed out the folder contents:

1. Spring Child Development class schedule Spring ‘08
2. Lab brochure with available workshops
3. Faculty contact information
4. TANF brochure for Child Development Careers
5. Information on Mentoring Program CA Early Childhood (CAEC) Mentoring
6. Child Development Training Consortium Information
7. Current Early Childhood and School Age Permit Matrix

Announcements:

a. Renata Cooper, from the County of Los Angeles, Office of Child Care shared two programs:

1. Investing in Early Educators, stipend program and
2. Steps to Excellence Project, a new quality care assessment tool being piloted.

b. Lesbia de La Fuente from Camino Nueva shared information about the charter school, which serves preschool through high school.
c. Carol Blanks, from LAUSD, shared that they are looking for teachers, aids and administrators.
d. Pathways Resource and Referral shared there mission and programs.
e. Aura Sburlan spoke about the LA City College CD center and the new building.

The participants were thanked for their participation and counsel.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Washburn    

Los Angeles City College Annual Child Development Advisory Committee