April 13, 2015
Dear Community Leader:
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning is seeking members for the Keystone STARS Stakeholders.
PA Keys to Quality Mission Statement: All Pennsylvania families will have access to high quality care and education for their children, fostering successful futures in school and in life.
Purpose: The Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), established the Keystone STARS Stakeholders(formerly known as STARS Advisory) in 2005. The purpose of the Stakeholders is to advise OCDEL about the Keystone STARS program including performance standards, operations, and program design. The Stakeholdersmake recommendations by providing feedback and representing Keystone STARS provider concerns. They also assist in the development of program protocols, tools and resources to strengthen the quality of learning programs in the commonwealth. The Stakeholders membership brings unique knowledge and skills, which complement those key individuals and departmental staff engaged in this work. The Stakeholders do not have formal authority and cannot issue directives that must be followed. Members appointed to the STARS Stakeholders serve at the pleasure of OCDEL.
Membership: The STARS Stakeholders membership is comprised of at least 35 individuals with a leadership structure consisting of one chairand one co-chair whoassist OCDEL in setting the agenda and guiding the quarterly meetings.
Length of Service: Individuals appointed to the STARS Stakeholders serve a three-year term of service. Terms of service coincide with the start of the state fiscal year in July. Stakeholder members can resign as necessary. When membership ceases, either by fulfillment or non-fulfillment of obligations or resignation, members can again become eligible for re-nomination after one year of non- service. One third of Stakeholders members shall be replaced annually.
Attributes of STARS Stakeholders: Individuals, whose names are put forth for consideration to serve as STARS Stakeholders, shall possess practical program content knowledge and skills that will strengthen and advance the Keystone STARS Initiative. Members shall come from diverse geographic regions of the state and have a range of attributes, collective skills, and experiences that will enable the Stakeholders to achieve its goals. The attributes, skills, and experiences of new members shall complement theexisting Stakeholders.
The following is a list of attributes to be considered when suggesting an individual for possible appointment to the Stakeholders:
Academic and/or research experience
Program content knowledge and/or experience
Experience delivering learning services in different size programs (Center, Group Child Care Home, Family Child Care Home, School Age Child Care)
Knowledge and/or expertise working within educational/community settings
A variety of programmatic representation (Child Care, Head Start, Early Intervention, School Age Programs, Public School)
Mentoring, technical assistance or professional development experience
Non-Profit or other statewide membership experience
Political/advocacy experience
Strategic partner contacts (Child Care Information Services , LEARN, Intermediate Unit, Higher Education, and Licensed Private Academic Nursery Schools, parents, Regional Keys, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Libraries, Association for the Education of Young Children)
STARS Stakeholder Selection and Appointment: Members shall be representative of the geographic cross section of Pennsylvania – rural, suburban, and urban. They shall also characterize the state’s diversity (ethnic origin, culture, gender, age, etc.). Names of individuals nominated for appointment to the Stakeholders can be submitted for consideration by current STARS Stakeholders members, PA Key staff, Regional Key staff, OCDEL staff, or by the said individual. Potential members considered for appointment shall submit a résumé and statement of intent/interest detailing why they would like to serve on the Stakeholders. Potential candidates will be reviewed by an ad-hoc committee. The committee will make final recommendation to OCDEL regarding the nominees in the spring.
STARS Stakeholder Responsibilities: The Stakeholdershave established the following criteria for members who agree to serve:
Attend meetings regularly (3 minimum per year of the quarterly meetings) – if a substitute is needed on an emergency basis, the substitute must be from the same agency, must be pre-approved from OCDEL and added to the roster prior to the meeting
Participate in conference calls and respond to emails
Stay informed about STARS Stakeholders matters, prepare well for meetings, and review and comment on minutes, reports, and related program practices
Interact with other members and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus
Volunteer for and willingly accept assignments, completing them thoroughly and on time
Actively take part in planning efforts
Become a liaison/voice to local, state, and federal constituents at it relates to the mission and vision of PA Keys to Quality and Keystone STARS Programs
Represent constituency, while considering the ‘big’ view of the issues
Gain a thorough understanding of systems perspective
Attend local and/or state meetings, conferences, and professional development opportunities (if applicable and available)
Compensation: STARS Stakeholders receive no compensation for their participation in membership orforrelated activities/functions.
Thank you for your interest in the Keystone STARS Stakeholders!
Sincerely,
Tracey Campanini, Acting Deputy Secretary
Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Office of Child Development and Early Learning | Departments of Education and Public Welfare |
333 Market Street, 6th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126 | 717-346-9320 |
Please forward this notice to people who you think would be an asset in the work. If you are interested in being considered for appointment to STARS Stakeholders, please use the form on the following page to respond to the Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) by May 15, 2015
Send all completed applications to:
Mailing Address: Facsimile:
Office of Child Development and Early Learning(717) 346-9330
Departments of Education & Public Welfare
333 Market Street, 6th FloorEmail:
Harrisburg, PA
Please remember to include the following:
A résumé which includes your contact information;
The form on the following page, which includes:
- A statement about why you are interested in serving on the STARS Stakeholders
- A statement about what attributes you bring to the STARS Stakeholders
- A statement about the population you would represent (include types, size, and special considerations of populations you are representing)
- A statement regardingwhich region you would be representing, or indicateif your organization is statewide
Questions regarding submission for consideration or service on Keystone STARS Stakeholders can be submitted via email to:
KEYSTONE STARS STAKEHOLDERS APPLICATION
NAME:
EMAIL:
QUESTIONS:
1. Why are you interested in serving on the Keystone STARS Stakeholders?
2. What attributes would you bring to the Keystone STARS Stakeholders?
3. What population(s) do you represent?
4. Upon referring to the attached map of current boundaries of the Regional Key areas, whichregion would you be representing? If your organization is not regional specific but statewide, please indicate so.
Office of Child Development and Early Learning | Departments of Education and Public Welfare |
333 Market Street, 6th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126 | 717-346-9320 |