Strategic Plan

Support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the early childhood care and education workforce.

6.3.1   Establish financial incentives to support the recruitment, retention, and advancement of a diverse workforce.

6.3.2   Support culturally, linguistically, and diverse-ability-appropriate materials in professional development(Early childhood education professional development is a continuum of learning and support activities designed to prepare individuals for work with and on behalf of young children and their families, as well as ongoing experiences to enhance this work. These opportunities lead to improvements in the knowledge, skills, practices, and dispositions of early education professionals. Professional development encompasses education, training, and technical assistance(Technical Assistance (TA) is the provision of targeted and customized aid to develop or strengthen processes, knowledge application, or implementation of services by a professional(s) with subject matter expertise and skills in adult learning practices.).) opportunities, facilities, playgrounds, and other learning spaces.

6.3.3   Implement professional development programs that increase workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to ensure early childhood environments are responsive to and supportive of a diverse workforce.

What do these icons mean(To help Kansans see themselves as key contributors to the important work ahead, each tactic displays one or more icons representing where stakeholders can have impact.)?

The Children’s Cabinet formally adopted an equity statement, and equity serves as a guiding principle in the All in for Kansas Kids Strategic Plan. Several organizations and providers who received PDG Quality Subgrants are using the funding to purchase culturally-competent learning materials for children or are offering retention bonuses and insurance stipends. At a governance level, the Workforce Development Advisory Group has a working subcommittee focused on identifying and expanding equity, inclusion, and diversity trainings, opportunities, and shared learning experiences for the early childhood workforce, with the hope of making recommendations to the broader system in fall/winter 2021. Even with strides made in this area, the early childhood system recognizes that more needs to be done to recruit, retain, and support a diverse early childhood care and education workforce.