Workforce Development Advisory Group

History and Purpose

The Workforce Development Advisory Group (WDAG) was established in 2013 and is a function of the Child Care Workforce Professional Development contract held by Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities (KCCTO). The goal and focus of the WDAG are as follows:

Goal: Provide ongoing connections with early childhood practitioners who provide early education and care to Kansas children and their families

Focus: Collaboration to advance and improve the early childhood professional development system in Kansas

WDAG Leadership

Lead: Chelsea Schulte, KCCTO | cmitch@ksu.edu

Administrative Support: Sanaa Rabeh, KCCTO | srabeh@ksu.edu

WDAG Membership

Members of the WDAG include representatives from state agencies, professional development organizations, higher education, and direct service professionals. Individuals interested in joining the WDAG can complete the WDAG New Member Interest Form.

New Member Interest Form

Development of Recommendations

The WDAG uses the expertise of our members to draft recommendations for action. Recommendations related to the broader early childhood system are directed to the Early Childhood Recommendations Panel for consideration by the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. Recommendations that require enhancements to Cape are directed to the Registry Governance Board. Other recommendations may be directed to other organizations or groups.

<strong>Schedule</strong>

The WDAG meets by Zoom from 1:30 – 3:00 PM on the fourth Wednesday of even months. December’s meeting is held on the first Wednesday of the month. Meeting agendas with topics of discussion are provided to the group the week prior to the meeting.

Calendar invites will be sent on an annual basis.

<strong>Agendas</strong>

WDAG members also have access to a SharePoint site where meeting and workgroup materials are available. Meeting minutes, meeting recordings, and related materials are also shared via email with the WDAG membership following each meeting.

Each workgroup has a folder in the WDAG SharePoint for document storage and collaboration.

Current Workgroups

Workgroups are formed by the WDAG when targeted efforts are needed around a particular topic. The following groups were either formed out of the larger WDAG or were formed externally but are relevant to the WDAG work. Workgroups typically meet more frequently than the large group to assess, plan, discuss, review and draft recommendations. Questions about a workgroup can be directed to the lead.

Core Competencies

Established: 2020

Lead: Linda Logan (lindalogan@ksu.edu)

Goal: Develop and support a Kansas Core Competencies Implementation Plan aligned with the All in for Kansas Kids Strategic Plan.

Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP)

Established: 2020

Lead: Sherron Field (sefield@ksu.edu)

Goal: Develop and implement effective processes for the successful integration of the IPDP into state systems, including Cape.

Evaluation and Needs Assessment

Re-established: 2024

Lead: Clarissa Corkins (corkins@ksu.edu)

Goal: Develop, implement, and analyze data from an ECCE Workforce needs assessment, and explore other professional development evaluation opportunities.

Collaborative Technical Assistance (TA) Network

Established: 2023

Lead: Stephanie Parks (stephanieparks@ksu.edu)

Supporting Lead: Andrea Sorrels (arsorrels@ksu.edu)

Goal: Develop guiding pillars that serve as the foundation for delivery of technical assistance to ECCE professionals.

Training Approval System

Established: 2022

Leads: Vicki Sutton (vrsutton@ksu.edu)

Goal: Advise Cape during the roll out of the Statewide Training Approval System and make recommendations for improvements as needed.

Program Quality

Established: 2025

Leads: Sarah Minshull (sarah.minshull@ks.childcareaware.org)

Goal: Explore additional Links for the Links2Quality Program.

Past Recommendations

2019: Workforce Registry/Career Pathway/Core Competencies
2020: Workforce Registry
2022: Individualized Professional Development Plan
2022: Core Competencies
2024: Trainer and Training Approval Processes
2025: Statewide TA Definitions

For additional details on past recommendations, email Chelsea Schulte at cmitch@ksu.edu.