Fixed Rate Mortgage

April 18, 2016

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 in 2005. The purpose of the Stakeholders is to advise OCDEL about the Keystone STARS program including performance standards, operations, and program design. The Stakeholders make 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 chair and one co-chair who assist 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. STARS Stakeholders will be engaged in the STARS Revisioning process with the goal to provide quality early learning experiences for all young children. 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 the existing 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, Home Visiting, Faith Based, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, 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 Schools (PDE Licensed Preschool), parents, Regional Keys, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Libraries, Association for the Education of Young Children)

Departments of Education and Human Services | Bureau of Early Learning Services 333 Market Street | 6th Floor | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17126 | 717.346.9320 | F 717.346.9330 | www.education.pa.gov | www.dhs.pa.gov 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 Stakeholders have 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 or for related activities/functions.

Thank you for your interest in the Keystone STARS Stakeholders!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Mercatoris, Director Bureau of Early Learning Services Office of Child Development and Early Learning

Departments of Education and Human Services | Bureau of Early Learning Services 333 Market Street | 6th Floor | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17126 | 717.346.9320 | F 717.346.9330 | www.education.pa.gov | www.dhs.pa.gov 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 20, 2016

Send all completed applications to:

Mailing Address: Facsimile: Office of Child Development and Early Learning(717) 346-9330 Departments of Education & Human Services 333 Market Street, 6th Floor Email: Harrisburg, PA 17126 [email protected]

Please remember to include the following:

 A résumé which includes your contact information;

 The form on the following page, which includes: o A statement about why you are interested in serving on the STARS Stakeholders o A statement about what attributes you bring to the STARS Stakeholders o A statement about the population you would represent (include types, size, and special considerations of populations you are representing) o A statement regarding which region you would be representing, or indicate if your organization is statewide

Questions regarding submission for consideration or service on Keystone STARS Stakeholders can be submitted via email to: [email protected]

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, which region would you be representing? If your organization is not regional specific but statewide, please indicate so.