Board members praise Family Cafe conference, propose planning a group trip next year

Several Miami Lakes advisory board members who attended the Family Cafe described the conference as informative and empowering and proposed organizing an official board trip for the next year.

Members said the conference provided direct contacts with state education and disability services officials and practical resources for families. One member described learning about alternative funding and programs after discovering her younger child’s school funding had been cut.

Board members discussed timing and budgeting for a future trip, noting that travel and registration could exceed $700 and would require council approval. Proposed dates mentioned for future attendance included June 12–14 of the following year; members agreed to place the item on a future agenda and prepare a formal request to town council if the estimated cost exceeded prior small allocations.

No formal budget allocation was approved at the meeting; members asked staff to research dates, costs and the council approval process so the board can make a formal request.