The primary focus of the meeting was the early intervention for children with developmental delays, a concern underscored by the narrowing eligibility criteria for early steps, which has left many children unserved. The importance of early intervention was highlighted by the fact that one out of three children who receive such services will not require special education upon starting school. Help Me Grow Escambia, which the Trust has been enrolling children into, has filled service gaps by reaching out to families who do not qualify for early steps and providing critical services such as on-site speech therapy and help for children with prenatal opiate exposure.

Community outreach efforts were another critical discussion point. The Trust emphasized its active presence in the community through participation in outreach events aimed at families, caregivers, service providers, and health care professionals. Notable collaborations were mentioned, including work with Parent University, the Early Learning Coalition, and the Early Childhood Court. Additionally, the Trust plans to participate in training on the Parent Cafe model, which aims to bolster family strengths and prevent child abuse and neglect. Upcoming initiatives include sponsoring diversity training, expanding developmental intervention capacity, implementing an autism diagnostic clinic, and organizing developmental screenings and outreach events.

The Trust is also focused on establishing partnerships to expand its community reach. It has become a community partner for the Junior League diaper program and the diaper bank, and has joined forces with the Department of Children and Families for economic self-sufficiency initiatives. Engaging events such as “books, balls, and blocks” are being organized, which combine play with developmental screenings, and a “touch a truck” event is planned to engage families in targeted areas.

Challenges faced by the Trust, especially in recruiting staff and addressing the extensive need for early intervention services, were openly discussed. The disparity between the number of children served and the actual need for services was a concern, alongside the delays in identifying at-risk children and the challenges in reaching families across communities. The Trust acknowledged these issues and called for wider community support and collaboration to help more children.

Furthermore, the meeting delved into the Trust’s outreach efforts, particularly in community centers and with the help of family and community outreach specialists. The conversation also touched on the data collection process related to the performance of interventions, the assessment of children’s skill levels, and the need for a data system to follow children to kindergarten.

The meeting concluded with budget amendments that included an increase in revenue projections from interest income and offset increases in expenses. The approval for Verizon as the carrier for staff cell phones was also passed. An update on the progress made in the last 30 days was provided, which included addressing contract renewals, policy and procedure development, financial position assessment, and preparation for a workshop to determine the Trust’s future direction.