In 2019, Indiana restructured its child care system with the help of SPARK, an organization dedicated to supporting its 5,000 child care providers and over 30,000 teachers in the workforce. To achieve this, Indiana focused on establishing regional advisory councils to create a more centralized network for training, coaching, and technical assistance. These councils played a key role in gathering input from end-users and stakeholders, ensuring that the new system leveraged technology to improve accessibility for child care providers. Through the guidance of SPARK and the feedback provided by the regional advisory councils, Indiana was able to shape an enhanced offering of programming and support for its child care system.
Client Story
Location
Indiana
Industry
Government
Need
Mobilizing Communities
Project
Collective Impact
Establishing Regional Advisory Councils for State Systems
The Challenge
The Solution
Shine Early Learning was selected by Indiana to provide statewide training, coaching, and technical assistance for the child care providers and workforce. In 2019 Shine Early Learning launched SPARK Learning Lab (SPARK). In response to the system changes, Shine identified the need to have a process to engage the customers in sharing feedback and input on this new program offering.
Shine Early Learning contracted with Transform Consulting Group to develop and manage a Regional Advisory Council for SPARK as well as other key support including marketing and communication, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
The Council’s purpose is to strategically aid, advise, and collaborate on SPARK’s work and obtain expert and program insights regarding approaches and processes. Council members also act as ambassadors for SPARK within their local, state, and national networks. Members bring the perspectives of their program as well as other programs in their region, share information about the Advisory Council meetings, and promote the services that SPARK provides to these groups.
Initially, SPARK wanted a Council in each of the five regions across the state of Indiana to facilitate local conversations and engagement. To establish and manage the Council, Transform Consulting Group determined:
- Composition of the membership
- Outreach and selection process for membership
- Membership terms
- Membership roles and responsibilities
- Membership onboarding and training process
- Meeting structure and cadence
- Policies and procedures
After four years of facilitating the Regional Advisory Councils, we decided to shift to a Statewide Advisory Council that still represents all regions of the state. As SPARK’s work continues to evolve it was important for the Council to adjust as needed to support SPARK and the state’s goals.
Our Role
- Developed the structure for the Advisory Council.
- Managed marketing, outreach, and recruitment of the Council.
- Developed and coordinated the application process and selection of members.
- Created an onboarding and training process for Council members and SPARK staff.
- Created operational tools and resources, including a policy manual, roles and responsibilities, and other guiding documents.
- Developed surveys to gather feedback from Council members.
- Provide backbone support for facilitating the Council, including preparing meeting materials in advance, slide deck presentations, and communication with Council members and staff.
- Provide financial stipends for Council members.
The Outcomes
- A focus group to provide constructive feedback on training, programs, coaching, and other services
- An ambassador group to share SPARK resources and services
“TCG has been instrumental in helping to establish an Advisory Council structure that provides a vehicle for receiving thoughtful and constructive feedback to inform our work. Having a dedicated partner provide this backbone support has been essential to its success and an asset to our team.”
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