Child Care Capacity Accelerator Project Coordinator
Position Posted September 1, 2023
About the position…
Taking a community-driven, collaborative approach to adding child care capacity in Topeka/Shawnee County, Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas will be working with the Greater Topeka Partnership to create 442 new child care slots in the community. A unique combination of new construction, major renovation of child care buildings previously licensed for child care, expansion of physical space dedicated to child care in existing child care facilities to increase capacity, and workforce strategies to open closed classrooms in currently licensed programs brings a broad array of partners together to address the complex needs of employers, families and early childhood practitioners.
The Child Care Capacity Accelerator Project Coordinator is a contractual position that provides leadership on programming that will recruit program participants, convene and facilitate monthly meetings to monitor progress and offer support as programs create and implement individualized business plans to address long term sustainability.
The Child Care Capacity Accelerator Project Coordinator works under the daily direction of a Provider Services Manager and is accountable to the Executive Director.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS of the position:
1. Recruit additional programs participants.
2. Monitor and support the opening of classrooms not currently in operation at licensed child care facilities identified.
3. Connect program participants to the shared services hub, an approach to establish a more localized, community-based network of providers, as well as provide staffing support services to those networks focused on improving program quality and administrative practices.
4. Provide individualized coaching support to each program as they draft, adopt and implement a business plan for their facility that addresses long-term sustainability through solid business practices.
5. Connect programs to professional development sessions around business practices and business sustainability.
6. Connect project programs with other support programs and services including Child Care Quality Initiative and Support (CCQIS), Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) network, Infant Toddler Support Network (ITSN), Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities (KCCTO), and the Shawnee County Early Childhood Block Grant Capital Area Successful Start (CASS) effort for quality improvement and classroom support.
7. Oversee the development and implementation of outlined collaborative recruitment strategies including “Work While You Wait” to recruit family child care providers waiting on the licensing process, outreach to unregulated providers, and engagement efforts for those re-entering the workplace and/or starting a second career. Refer qualified individuals wanting flexible work to the new substitute program (as appropriate).
8. Support marketing and implementation of the Customized Early Education substitute program.
9. Work with project center directors to ensure an Individualized Professional Development Plan is created for staff in all project classrooms.
10. Conduct exit interviews with teaching staff leaving project classrooms, tracking and reporting trend data and information.
The Project Coordinator is specifically responsible for the following duties and functions
Data, Evaluation and Reporting:
- Oversees the collection and tracking of program information and progress through the agency’s database; maintains accurate records and submits reports according to the grant/contract reporting requirements (typically monthly and quarterly).
Community Network/Outreach
- Represents the agency at a variety of meetings, workgroups, coalitions, and committees demonstrating a focus on collaboration for the public good.
- Ensures partners receive requested information and excellent customer service from all levels of the organization.
Complete required Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas employee reports and duties in accordance with agency policies, including:
- Complete required Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas employee reports and duties in accordance with agency’s policies.
Other, as assigned.
SKILLS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse internal and external partners.
- Strong organization and time management skills, with ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Effective listening and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (in person and in virtual interactions.
- Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner and to multi-task.
- Ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
- Treat information on clients (individual people and organizations), staff and Board members in a confidential manner.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including some weekend and evenings.
- Valid Kansas driver’s license.
- Successfully pass comprehensive background checks.
WEIGHT LIFTING (OR OTHER PHYSICAL) REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
Ability to hear and verbally respond to a question from a distance of 5 feet.
Ability to sit, stand, bend and lift approximately 20 pounds.
ERC Resource & Referral, d/b/a Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas, provides services in a 33-county area. The Program Coordinator will work from a home-based office.
Job Type: Contract
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Topeka, KS: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Qualified, interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter to
Shared Services Program Consultant, Contract
Position Posted August 16, 2023
About the position…
The Contracted Shared Services Network Hub Program Consultant provides leadership on programming that will improve any/all aspects of child care quality guided by best practices. Working in collaboration with organizational leadership, community partners, and Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas staff, this contracted position is responsible for all aspects of Shared Services Network Hub, including service delivery standards, policies, and evaluation in accordance with contract deliverables. Shared Service Network Hub implementation, promotion, relationship building is the primary focus. The Shared Services Program Consultant is responsible for developing and fostering relationships with the Regional Community Consultants, child care providers, and other community partner organizations. This position also has a high focus on the foundational components of CCR&R services – professional development, coaching/technical assistance, consumer education, grant making/resources, and child care referrals.
Position Description:
- Plans, develops, implements, and monitors services to ensure a comprehensive and integrated shared service approach that incorporates best practice standards in child care, meets child care licensing regulations, and aligns with the Kansas Department for Children and Families Links to Quality statewide system.
- Leads the shared services hub approach to establish a more localized, community-based network of providers, as well as provide staffing support services to those networks focused on improving program quality and administrative practices.
- Seek out entities that could support child care providers, including business practice support (i.e. payroll, benefits management, banking, food services, paperwork, increased automation, centralized administration, etc.)
- Works closely with the child care providers & the Regional Community Consultants.
- Determine current strengths and needs in each learning community in order to establish opportunities for services that could be shared between participating providers using relevant current data and information, as well as any needed assessment tools. If an existing needs assessment tool is deemed unavailable, one would need to be developed and implemented.
- Form peer connections that foster trusting, strength-based networks of support.
- Utilize the needs assessment results to provide staffing support services and/or locating additional resources at both the local and state-level reflective of each learning community.
- Explore options for collaboration and coordination with other community groups/organizations/individuals delivering services or expertise in any identified areas of support for the shared service network (i.e. business practices, coaching and/or professional development around high-quality early care and education practices, employing diverse strategies to address staffing shortages, creating and/or administering a shared service network, etc.)
- Identify any opportunities for public-private partnerships that could potentially provide financial support for their local network or providers.
- Facilitate connections/referrals to high-quality care practices, including coaching, technical assistance, and professional development. (i.e. referrals to Child Care Health Consultants, approved training and professional development opportunities).
Responsibilities:
Data, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Analyzes data on a consistent basis to determine successes and areas for improvement; creates related program improvement plans and ensures successful execution of the Child Care Quality Improvement Support System initiative.
- Oversees the collection and tracking of program information and progress through the organization’s database; maintains accurate records and submits reports according to the grant/contract reporting requirements (typically monthly and quarterly).
Community Network/Outreach
- Represents the organization at a variety of meetings, workgroups, coalitions, and committees to advance programs and support early childhood system building, demonstrating a focus on collaboration for the public good.
- Oversees the creation of promotional and communication materials to increase awareness of the programs and the organization.
- Develops and maintains partnerships with other early childhood service organizations, with a priority placed on diverse partnerships and shared purpose.
- Ensures partners receive requested information and excellent customer service from all levels of the organization.
Complete required Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas employee reports and duties in accordance with agency policies, including:
- Other, as assigned.
SKILLS REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong organization and time management skills, with ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Effective listening and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (in person and in virtual interactions.
- Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner and to multi-task.
- Ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
- Treat information on clients (individual people and organizations), staff, and Board members in a confidential manner.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including some weekend, evening, and overnight travel.
- Valid Kansas driver’s license.
- Successfully pass comprehensive background checks.
- Bachelor’s Degree
WEIGHT LIFTING (OR OTHER PHYSICAL) REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
- Ability to hear and verbally respond to a question from a distance of 5 feet.
- Ability to sit, stand, bend, and lift approximately 20 pounds.
Job Type: Contract
Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Experience level:
- 1 year
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: Home-base office
Qualified, interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter to
About the agency…
ERC Resource & Referral is a not-for-profit agency serving 33 counties in eastern Kansas. We provide meaningful, effective, high-quality programs and services to those who interface with our agency. We work with child care providers and teachers by offering professional development, coaching, and access to resources that help them improve the quality of care offered. We also serve as the Kansas Parent Resource Center, helping families locate and choose child care that meets their family’s needs. We value teamwork, equity and diversity and strive to hire highly qualified people who share our passion for the agency’s mission:
ERC Resource & Referral, doing business as Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas, supports the healthy development of young children by improving access to high-quality child care options and educational resources for families and early childhood professionals.
