Process Improvement for the AECPDS Registries and Child Care Assistance (Subsidy) Program (2006-2007)
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

The KSRC process improvement team provided consultation to the AECPDS Practitioner, Trainer, and Training Registries (registry staff and specified stakeholders) to identify process improvement opportunities. Our team of consultants used the Learning2C ™ methodology to examine a number of work processes, as well as build the internal capacity of DCCECE and Registry staff to see, design, and implement improvements that will impact results. In addition, the KSRC team of process improvement specialists worked with the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education—Child Care Assistance program to help them identify and implement process improvements.

Process Improvement for the Child Care training System and T.E.A.C.H. Scolarship Program (2007-2008)
South Carolina Center for Child Career Development (2007)

The KSRC process improvement team provided consultation to the Center for Child Care Career Development to identify process improvement opportunities for both their training program, as well as their T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program. Our team of consultants used the Learning2C ™ methodology to examine a number of work processes, as well as build the internal capacity of the South Carolina CCCCD to see, design, and implement improvements that will impact results. The KSRC team provided the 5-day training and baseline mapping of specific work processes, along with action planning and follow-up consultation, which included conference calls as well as one-day site visits.

Lean Transformation (2006)
Carreira Consulting

KSRC's process improvement specialist is providing his services to Carreira Consulting for a project with a major aircraft parts manufacturer in Dallas, TX. As a result of this work, the aircraft manufacturer will transform its manufacturing techniques from a traditional batch/craft process to a synchronized assembly flow process. The methodology determines a current state through a detailed baseline analysis, which enables the design and implementation of the new future state. This methodology follows the unique principles outlined in Bill Carreira's book, Lean Manufacturing that Works (2005, AMACOM, ISBN 0-8144-7237-0). For additional details on this methodology and Carreira Consulting, see http://www.carreiraconsulting.com/

Process Improvement/Lean Overview Training (2005)
Alpha Sintered Metal

This project delivered a company-wide overview training for all employees in a three shift manufacturing system. The five major tools of Value Stream Mapping(VSM), Process Flow Mapping (PFM), 5S Visual Workplace/Factory (TPS), Kanban Materials and Inventory Management (Kanban Pull Systems) and Work Flow Balancing/Theory of Constraints and their relative implementation merits were reviewed. The delivery of this training to 120 employees occurred over 6 sessions spanning the 3 shift production system, in a two week time period.

Evaluation of the Arkansas Early Childhood Professional Development System (AECPDS) (2005-2007)
Arkansas Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

This research provides a comprehensive review and assessment of the individual components of AECPDS to determine their impact on outcomes for early childhood professionals and on the quality of care for young children in Arkansas. Using a participatory evaluation approach, the researchers engaged the multiple stakeholder groups in a process of discussion and decision-making to finalize the logic model for AECPDS, delineate the specific research questions and specify the research design that would be used to gather the data (click here for a copy of the AECPDS Research Design ). Further, this project was designed to build the evaluation capacity of AECPDS and the Arkansas Division of Early Child Care Services so that over time, evaluative tasks and performance measurements can be implemented and used for continuous quality improvements. Anticipated results include an assessment of AECPDS to determine its success in improving the knowledge and skill of child care providers and the impact on quality of child care. For a copy of the Executive Summary and final report, Early Care and Education Workforce Development Initiatives Design, Implementation, and Outcomes, click here.

Evaluation of T.E.A.C.H. ® Early Childhood Project Pennsylvania (1998-2006)
Pennsylvania Association of Child Care Agencies and Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

The research provides an assessment of the implementation and of the outcomes and impact of T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood ® Project Pennsylvania. T.E.A.C.H. ® Pennsylvania offers scholarships on an annual basis to staff in licensed centers and group homes or to registered family child care providers who wish to pursue an Associates degree or the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential in early childhood education. T.E.A.C.H. ® Pennsylvania awarded the first scholarships in September 1998 using both private and business collaboration dollars. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) began funding scholarships in January 1999. This research, a longitudinal study with data gathered from participants over 5 years, examines both the implementation and outcomes data for the scholarship applicants and recipients (scholars) that entered the program in the state fiscal years of 1998/1999 (Cohort I), 1999/2000 (Cohort II), and 2000/2001 (Cohort III). (click here for a copy of the Executive Summany for this research)

Administration of PA Pathways (1988-2006)
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth, and Families

PA Pathways was the early care and education professional development system for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through June 2006. The administrative services included the development and delivery of training/educational opportunities (via multiple training modalities such as workshops, satellite down-links, self-learning modules, on-line courses, and college classroom courses), to approximately 50,000 child caregivers within the state through a system of subcontracts with community-based and higher education institutions. Administrative services also included the warehousing and distribution of educational materials; the development and maintenance of an on-line training calendar and on-line access to training resources; the development and administration of a training/trainer quality assurance system; the development and maintenance of an on-line training registry; the maintenance of a toll-free help-line, and the conference planning and support for the annual PA Pathways conference for approximately 250-300 trainers/educators and government officials . (click here for a copy of the PA Pathways 2004/2005 Annual Report)

Development and Delivery of Keystone STARS Core Training Series and Keystone STARS Support Training (2003-2006)
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth, and Families

This specific project was designed and implemented as a component of PA Pathways when the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare developed its child care quality improvement initiative, called Keystone STARS. KSRC's work included the development and delivery of three required Keystone STARS Core Training modules for child care facilities that are participating in Keystone STARS. As well, the work included the development and delivery of a number of training modules in support of Keystone STARS performance standards in the areas of business practices, literacy, new staff orientations, and child observation. These training modules were developed and training organizations scheduled to deliver the training throughout the state. In addition, two of the KS Core Training modules have been developed and implemented as on-line courses . (click here for a description of each of these training modules)

Development of and Administration of the Trainer Quality Assurance System (TQAS) (2000-2006)
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth, and Families

This specific project was designed and implemented as a component of PA Pathways, as the professional development system evolved through time. KSRC's work included the development of a quality assurance system to approve the trainers who provide training that is funded through PA Pathways. Application and training module review processes were developed, along with the development and implementation of the orientation training that each TQAS trainer is required to complete for approval. As well, a TQAS Registry was established on-line, which provides search features that enable others to identify approved trainers in various content areas. In addition, this system incorporates a method of approving one-time training events that are not offered by a TQAS approved trainer; a method of processing applications from PA's certified teachers who are required to take Act 48 continuing education credits, and a method for approving training program applicants for the PA Pathways Director's Core Certificate . (click here for a copy of the TQAS Reference Guide, TQAS Consultant Application, TQAS Faculty Application and TQAS Trainer Application)

Development and Administration of STARS Technical Assistance System (2003-2005)
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth, and Families

This specific project was designed and implemented as a component of PA Pathways and it provided the TA services component for the Keystone STARS child care quality initiative. KSRC's work included a 6-month planning stage where 8 STARS TA organizations were selected through an RFP process and through a collaborative process with these organizations, the design of the TA system, along with all forms and processes were established and field tested. The system was built and included a management database system that incorporated performance measurements into its structure. Subsequent to the planning stage, the 8 organizations implemented their services and provided technical assistance to child care facilities that were participating in the Keystone STARS quality initiative . (click here for a copy of the STARS TA Policy and Procedures Manaul)

Development and Administration of Environment Rating Scale Assessment System (2001-2005)
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth, and Families

This specific project was designed and implemented as a component of PA Pathways. It provided a key service to the Keystone STARS child care quality initiative. KSRC's work included the development and administration of a system to train child caregivers on the environment rating scale (ERS) instruments and the development and administration of a set of procedures to conduct on-site ERS assessments for those child care facilities that needed to be validated to receive their next STAR level. As well, this experience included working with a subcontracted IT business that established an on-line system to collect and record data from the ERS on-site assessments via a tablet PC.

Administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Research & Information Clearinghouse
(1994-2004)
Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs

This project included the development, implementation, and administration of clearinghouse services for the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The services included the distribution of educational materials related to substance abuse and other public health related issues; a film lending library; the review process to select new materials/videos for distribution; the development of print materials for distribution; the maintenance of a toll-free line; the referral of callers to appropriate prevention, intervention, and treatment resources; the maintenance of a research library on substance abuse information and information center for questions about substance abuse; and the implementation of a public information campaign.

Work Scheduling & Work Flow Balancing for Assembling, Warehousing & Mailing Services (2005-2006)
Northwest Institute of Research, Early Care and Education Division

This project included the assessment of an existing component (assembling, warehousing and mailing of educational materials) within the PA Pathways program. The assessment included an analysis of the demand for raw materials and finished products and their associated work processes. As a result of the analysis, the assembly operations were seen as a good candidate for the standardization of the work processes so that the finished products could be effectively and efficiently assembled using the minimums of both inventory and labor. An existing database was re-designed to facilitate the work scheduling, tracking, and prioritization of variable daily demand for numerous products requiring, assembly, packing, shipping and mailing to a very diverse customer base.

Inventory & Supplies Management (2005-2006)
Northwest Institute of Research, Early Care and Education Division

This technical assistance project included an analysis of the existing inventory and supplies management component of the PA Pathways program. There was an identified need to improve the control, organization, and storage of multiple program inventory and supplies. As a result of the analysis, changes were implemented to make the system more streamlined, effective, and cost efficient. A centralized inventory and storage room was created to facilitate the inventory counting and re-ordering processes. Slow moving and non-moving inventory was made available for special projects that the organization participates in from time to time. The typical “daily requirements” were set up in a visual supply system that ensured neither under nor over ordering of inventory. Cash flow conservation was significant because unrealized inventory and supplies are being consumed before they are reordered by multiple users. A formalized reordering review was put in place to ensure the reordering quantities meets the demand for the inventory and supplies requested .

Organizing & Implementing an Employee Performance Assessment System (2005-2006)
Northwest Institute of Research, Early Care and Education Division

Technical assistance was provided to this organization to set up a system for employee performance assessment. The system designed and implemented is a multiple point review system used by the employee themselves, their immediate supervisor or manager, and then the company management team (CMT) to reach consensus of both performance and the assessment of future employee development and retention processes. A process for the past, current, and future performance requirements and expectations was implemented for a staff of 28 employees. Through this process a plan for addressing current and future staff development plans were created by each staff member and the organization's management team. A framework for the next year's expectations is in place to ensure the development of the staff toward the delivery of the strategic goals of the organization. (click here for a copy of the Company Performance Expectations and Measures tool)