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Child Development Advisory Board: Meeting Minutes-November 4, 2009
Calhoun Community College
Child Development Advisory Board
November 4. 2009
The Calhoun Community College Child Development Advisory Board met on Wednesday, November 04,2009, at 12:00 p.m. in the conference
room ofthe Huntsville Research Park Campus.
Those in attendance were Beverly Stovall, Wendi Daversa, Kim Dodd, Stephanie Eger, Anita Humphrey, Molly King, Dr. Casey Lewis, Tia
Martin, Susan Dole Robinson, Susan Satterfield, Benita Thompson, Melanie Watson, and visiting guests Dr. Kenny Anderson, and Alicia
Taylor.
Beverly Stovall opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and expressing gratitude for their participation. Beverly urged guest to continue
with their lunch while she gave her opening comments.
Welcome
Beverly spoke of the Huntsville expansion projects, parking, and increased enrollment at Calhoun. Beverly also gave a history ofthe child
development program since 1986 when she first came to Calhoun. The CHD program's primary purpose at the time was to provide Pre-K
childcare for Calhoun students. Beverly pointed out how some of the members asked to be on the advisory board were connected already to
the Calhoun program. Susan Satterfield not only had her children at the childcare facility, but was also a student in the CHD program. Since
then, she has become a CHD adjunct instructor. Currently, she is a Pre-K teacher at Johnson Elementary School, where Dr. Casey Lewis is
the principal.
The CHD program is experiencing growth since it started to offer classes on the Huntsville campus. It was always the goal to have a Career
ladder program. The information packet handed out for the meeting contains program information cards for Calhoun's CDA
Credential/Certificate; Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees in Child Development. An updated state curriculum
for the AAS degree making CHD 210, Educating Exceptional Children, a required course instead ofan elective, is also in the packet.
Beverly -CHD 100, CHD 205, CHD 206, and CHD 209 are online now. CHD 202 and CHD 203 are being considered for hybrid format
in the future. Students are surveyed to confirm students' needs for scheduling classes.
Wendi -We are interested in CDA classes, but most of our employees want to eam the AAS degree. There are thirty plus employees that
Premier will be encouraging them to get a degree within the next 6 months to I year.
Anita Humphrey brought up the possibility ofan agreement between CAA and Calhoun to train teachers due to the fact Head Start
teachers will be required to have a Bachelors degree by 2013.
Kenny Anderson agreed that it was a good idea and that there would be a need to meet again regarding the agreement.
Concem was expressed that there may be a need for targeted assistance to help older teachers enroll in college classes and succeed in the
program.
Beverly commented that the proposed Calhoun Career Fair scheduled for April 2010 will address those concems.
Susan Dole Robinson added that the Career Fair could be tied to the "Week of the Young
Child" in April. Several others voiced
agreement to the idea.
Melanie Watson suggested that the Career Fair have a dual purpose: Introduce students to the career AND invite representatives who
would hire them to be represented.
Anita mentioned that Athens has a career lair lor early childhood, not unlike what
Melanie suggested.
Beverly agreed to look into both.
Curriculum
Beverly requested that the members review the five standards handout from NAYCE and the three CHD syllabi included in the packet.
Members are being asked to give their input regarding whether or not the competency levels are appropriate. Beverly went on to
explain that at the time the students are graded with 50% weighted for tests and 50% is weighted for work. Emphasis on being able to
implement the content leamed is an important target outcome. Currently a grade of 80% meets expectations and 90% exceeds. Beverly
is requesting input from members on whether or not that standard is appropriate.
Job Placement
Beverly
-
how can she best inform students ofopportunities in the community?
Tia asked about Calhoun's capabilities regarding resume downloading. Also mentioning that the University of Alabama department of
Social Work has a placement service where entities received a log in code and were able to look at resumes uploaded by students.
Anita asked if there were placement services at Calhoun.
Alicia and Kenny both responded no. Alicia went on to explain about the student job board that companies are able to post jobs , but that
there were no career services at Calhoun at this time. Both Kenny and Alicia agreed that this is something Calhoun may need to
further look into.
Anita suggested that Beverly stay in contact with the Human Resource departments of local companies as a way of leaming about
employment opportunities for students until the a placement service is put in place. There was general agreement around the table
from other members.
Community Relations
Beverly requested from members if there were any other people from the community that the members felt should be invited to be a part
of this advisory board.
Election of Chair and Vice Chair
ByJaws require that the Advisory Board have a Chair and Vice Chair. Beverly called for anyone who would be interested the Chair
position. Dr. Lewis nominated Susan Satterfield as Chair. Several members seconded. Susan Satterfield accepted. Dr. Lewis
nominated Anita Humphrey for Vice Chair. Several members seconded. Anita Humphrey accepted.
Other Discussion
Beverly asked ifthere were any other comments.
Kim Dodd recommended that the career fair not be limited to the teaching field. Other companies such as educational sales, or other state
agencies would have needs also.
Beverly also mentioned the need for resource refenals.
Beverly discussed the field observation requirements that Calhoun's students will need to complete their CHD courses. She also requested to
know what requirements will be needed for those students to be placed at childcare centers. Several different requirements were mentioned
by members, including the possible need for one or a combination of the following: TB test, DHR background check, finger printing,
applications on file, student lds, and the signing of a criminal history clearance form. Also in this discussion, it was mentioned that
depending on the time the student was on-site per day determined whether or not certain requirements were needed.
Kim Dodds recommended Beverly get in contact with DHR for clarification
Wendi Daversa mentioned that Beverly would need to know what classification DHR would rrive to the students.
Also mentioned was that there was a charge for background checks and finger printing.
Kenny Anderson mentioned that any fee costs needed to be added to the calhoun catalog.
Alicia suggested it might benefit the committee to have a DHR representative on board. In response, two names were offered: Sonya Richards
and Patricia Green. Beverly will follow up.
Alicia again thanked the members for being part of the Advisory Committee and reiterated that Calhoun views them
as valuable partners.
Next Meeting:
Thursday, March I l, 2010 at l0 am at Calhoun Community College's, Research Park Campus, in conference room 315.
Adjoumed:
1:45 PM
Respectfully submitted by Jessica Bradley