First Steps Kent

“The treasurer reviews the form 990 in detail. He then presents it to the executive committee for its in-depth review. It is then reviewed by the commission (board) before it is filed with the irs.”

“Board members and staff immediately disclose any potential conflicts of interest that arise. First steps has a form, accompanied by a copy of the policy, which is signed by each director/trustee/staff to acknowledge that the person has a) received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, b) read and understands the policy, c) agreed to comply with the policy, and, d) understands that the organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes. Employees and commisssion members are covered under the conflict of interest policy. The executive director and commission co-chair are identified in the policy by name with contact information in case someone wants to discuss a potential conflict of interest. Conflicts of interest are reviewed by the executive director, who may consult the employee's manager (or another manager) in the process restrictions are imposed on persons with a conflict. For example, an employee who is related to a vendor cannot request a bid, make the decision to go with the vendor, or be involved in any way with payment to the vendor. Commission members must abstain from voting on any item with which they have a conflict of interest.”

“The executive committee of the board of directors (commission) determines the compensation of the president/executive director. None of the members of the executive committee are employees of first steps kent. Comparable data from other similarly sized and situated local or regional nonprofits is gathered and analyzed. This information, along with the results of the annual performance evaluation is used to determine the president/executive director's compensation. The co-chair of the commission prepares an evaluation document that is shared with each commission member for feedback. She summarizes and reports back to the executive committee on the feedback, including her own, and discusses salary adjustment, bonus and/or enhanced pto in executive session. The executive committee comes to agreement and the co-chair informs the executive director of the decision and gives a feedback report. The co-chair informs the full commission at its next regular meeting in executive session. There are no other officers or key employees in our organization. The formal compensation review process was last performed during fiscal year 2015.”

“Our audit and form 990 are on our website at http://firststepskent.org/news-information/financial-documents. Our governing documents and conflict of interest policy are available upon request.”

“To create a coordinated, integrated system of early childhood services that supports all families in kent county so every young child in kent county will enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and in life. The organization's most significant activity was obtaining grants and donations to implement, increase, strengthen, and coordinate early childhood services in kent county, michigan.”

“To create a coordinated, integrated system of early childhood services that supports all families in kent county so every young child in kent county will enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and in life. The organization's most significant activity was obtaining grants and donations to implement, increase, strengthen, and coordinate early childhood services in kent county, michigan.”

“Welcome home baby is available to all first-time parents and parents 25 and younger in kent county. It consists of an initial visit in the hospital and a home visit from a maternal child nurse. Included in the visit is a maternal child assessment conducted by and rn and parent education about early childhood development, community resources to meet family needs, and the importance of reading, talking, singing, and playing with their child from birth. The nurse then helps the parents access community programs that best meet their needs in the evaluation of calendar year 2014-2015. Of 4,203 eligible births, hospital (see schedule o) liaisons made 2,152 visits or 51% of the birth events targeted by welcome home baby. 62% (1,333) accepting home visits at the hospital completed them, and, of 1,319 referrals to partner agencies were made.”

“Early learning communities is a collaborative, community-based initiative to enrich the quality early learning experiences of young children by strengthening the skills of early childhood caregivers and educators. First steps and the grand rapids public schools have worked together with other community partners to demonstrate the effectiveness of this model and are working to integrate this community initiative into grand rapids public schools. The early learning communities are focused on the neighborhoods around martin luther king, jr. Leadership academy, harrison park, burton and coit schools. It provides professional development, training, and support services to educators and caregivers, including certified teachers in pre-k through 3rd grade, teachers in head start as well as private preschools and child care centers, in-home child care providers, and parents. The type and intensity of the professional development and training varies among the groups. Caregivers and parents have the opportunity to attend play & learn groups in which children participate in literacy-based activities and providers watch coaches model best-practice instruction. The curriculum for the play & learn groups is aligned with michigan department of education expectations for kindergarten readiness. Early learning communities has also developed a variety of strategies to teach caregivers how to access community resources and strengthen the transition to kindergarten for participating preschool-aged children. Elc had between 300-400 children and 200-300 adults participating in program services per month.”

“The great start collaborative is comprised of interdisciplinary stakeholders who represent service providers, business, funders, government, elected officials and parents. They work to define systems needs and gaps and convene stakeholders to research best practice and recommend systems alignments and changes. Great start collaborative in conjunction with first steps, assesses the needs of young children and families in their communities, identifies community assets for addressing those needs, and plans for systemic change. They implement efforts to address the gaps, strengthen what works, and knock down barriers that impede young children from arriving at kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school and in life. Our collaborative is part of a network of 55 great start collaboratives working in every county in michigan, funded by the office of great start and michigan department of education. Technical assistance is provided by the early childhood investment corporation.”

“Contract and professional fees: program service expenses 130,001. Management and general expenses 99,628. Fundraising expenses -1,715. Total expenses 227,914. Consulting and research fees: program service expenses 255,484. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 255,484. Purchased services: program service expenses 8,386. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 8,386.”

“There has been no change in audit oversight or selection process during the tax year”