What is a “data story”? Part data analytics and part narrative, this new federal expectation can be an opportunity–or a pitfall–on your next federal review, depending on your team’s knowledge, tools and preparation. In this article, we explore the origins of this new requirement, the necessary mindset and examples of important types of data stories. The Office of Head Start introduced data tours...
Every five years, when Focus Area Two reviews come around, it’s a chance for Head Start programs to demonstrate their impact and tell their data story. Of course, no one wants federal reviewers to find a non-compliance or deficiency in their program, so the stakes can be high for these reviews. The right preparation is key to a successful review process, so Early Insights talked to Kristen...
Child Start operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs across two counties in Northern California, serving about 1,000 children per year. They joined the very first cohort of the QI Network in early 2020 and have since applied the principles of continuous quality improvement (CQI) to several challenges in their programs. Child Start’s Executive Director Juan Cisneros has worked in Head...
Working with an improvement coach is one of the key benefits of joining the QI Network. But what do these coaches actually do? How do they spend their days? And where do they add value? We sat down with two QI Network coaches over Zoom to find out how they got into coaching, why they’re passionate about continuous quality improvement (CQI), and how this work helps Head Start programs. Dr....
Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) in Kitsap County, Washington has been serving its community for over 50 years, including operating Head Start and Early Head Start programs. They joined the very first cohort of the QI Network in early 2020, using the principles of continuous quality improvement (CQI) to several challenges in their programs. Jill Brenner, KCR’s Director of Early Learning and...