Donna E. Pearson McClish
1856 Winstead Dr.
Wichita, Kansas 67219
316-200-1397
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
FRIENDS UNIVERSITY. Wichita, Kansas
Bachelor of Science, Human Resources Management, 1988
WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY, Wichita, Kansas
Early Childhood Core Curriculum, 1967-1985
PROFESSIONAL EXPEREINCE
Administration for Children Youth and Families (ACYF) Grant Reviewer: 2010-present
Grant Reviewer for Administration for Native Americans (ANA), Office of Community Services (OCS), Child
Care Bureau (CCB) and Office of Head Start (OHS) Ensure that projects address relevant and emerging issues in
the community through the grant process while obtaining knowledge about the Federal grant award process and grant
application requirements. Participate in the evaluation process for assigned applications: read the applications,
provide evaluative statements and collaborate to finalize a quality evaluation.
Holy Savior Catholic Academy. 2009-present. Fourth Grade Teacher. Utilized Differentiated Learning
Instruction with a group of children ages 8-10. Educational needs varied from first grade through seventh grade.
100% of class achieved goals set by administration in educational growth and testing.
Holy Savior Catholic Academy. 2008- 2009
Permanent Substitute. Utilized as a substitute wherever needed.
Business Consultant/General Contractor 2005-present. Assist with small business start-up; web design;
marketing; accessing funding sources; reviewing business plans, etc. General contractor for residential and
commercial construction.
Author/Publisher 2006-present. Church leadership and training. Organizational design and systems.
Owner/Founder McClish & Associates International Inc., 2003-2009. General Contractor, oil exploration, and
publishing.
Midwest Grain and Meats, LLC, partner, international exports/commodities. 2001-2003. Chief Executive
Officer to small minority business. Developed relationships with worldwide suppliers; provided assistance to
different countries in locating vendors and food commodities; utilized international banking systems; coordinated
start-up of company including policy development; utilized services of national government organizations such as
USDA; Council on Africa, State of Missouri International Marketing and Development, etc.
Resident Services Coordinator, American Management, Inc. 1999-2001. served as Resident Services
Coordinator for Pickwick Plaza, a HUD mortgage in possession (MIP) property. Clientele/handicapped, elderly,
disabled and mentally restricted. Worked with management team to upgrade properties and services to Housing and
Urban Development Quality Standards. Provide general case management and referral services to 175 residents
needing assistance. Provided case management (i.e. evaluation of health, psychological and social needs,
development of an individually case plan for services with periodic reassessment of the resident’s situation and
needs). Established linkages with all agencies and service providers in the community to ensure individualized,
flexible, and creative services for the involved resident. Created a directory of providers. Referred and linked
residents to the general community via case management; personal assistance; meals-on-wheels; transportation;
counseling; home health services; preventive health screening/wellness and legal advocacy. Educated residents on
service availability; application procedures; client rights, etc. Monitored the on-going provision of services from
community agencies. Maintained current communication with case management and provider agencies. Managed
provision of supportive services where appropriate. Assisted residents to build informal support networks with other
residents, family and friends. Set up volunteer support programs with service organizations in the community.
Coordinated training. Educated other staff on the issues relating to aging and service coordination to promote
continuity of services.
Program Design Specialist for Christian Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, 1997-1999. Assessed needs of
church and jurisdiction; meeting planning; assistant to the Jurisdictional Bishop; provided technical assistance in all
areas of need; assessed and recommended changes to current structure; implementation of new ideas for jurisdiction;
assisting in preparing the church for the new millennium. Assisted in restructuring programs under ministry while
ensuring sound organizational structure.
Assistant Church Day Care Director-Assisted day care director in developing policies and procedures to ensure
compliance with local and state laws. Implemented Head Start curriculum for pre-schoolers. Assisted the Director in
staff development and training. Coordinated and monitored food programs including Harvesters and the State Child
Care and Adult Food Program. Developed menus; planned meals and ordered food for day care children. Worked
closely with parents. Ensured compliance with State of Missouri Day Care Licensing.
Jackson County Resource Ombudsman for Foster Care, 1996-1998.
Independent official received complaints, investigated and made recommendations to remedy the complaint arising
from administrative action or inaction; interpretation of regulatory issues; assistance/support with
hotline/inappropriate discipline investigations; resources for services; specialized areas of care (i.e., behavioral,
emergency, adoptions, etc.); established working relationship with all placement resources; mediation of issues;
access to all confidential DFS records and staff in conducting the independent investigation; monitored court
appointed consent decree; worked closely with family court system including CASA and Guardian ad Litem.
Founder/Executive Director, Children and Families Network, Inc., 1996-2000. (Non-profit)
Provided contractual services to State of Missouri Foster Care System in the areas of specialized training; foster care
support services and training; trans-racial adoptions; adoption processes.
Contractor---State of Missouri Division of Family Services, 1996-2000. Professional Foster Parent and Trainer
for Foster/Adoptive Families 1996-1998.
Foster Care Training Services and Specialized Foster Care Services, 1996-2000. Training for Foster and Adoptive
Parents.
Professional Foster Parent. Provided home studies, assessments and trans-racial support to prospective and current
foster/adoptive/kinship families. 1996-1998 Foster/Adoptive Parent. 1995-present
Owner and CEO Excel Management Group 1993-1999.
Organization provided training and technical assistance to Head Start programs nationally. Assessed structures and
implemented national and local training for Head Start staff. Provided training and technical assistance to not-forprofit boards of directors/boards of trustees, etc. Extensive travel; program compliance review and guidance.
Grant Reviewer for Administration for Children Youth and Families 1993-1999. Grant and proposal evaluator
for National Head Start office, Washington, D.C. Consulting services to agencies regarding administrative needs. restructuring; re-organization, etc. Reviewers ensure that projects address relevant and emerging issues in the
community while obtaining knowledge about the Federal grant award process and grant application requirements,
which can be taken back to the community and applied when developing proposals.
Social Services/Parent Involvement Specialist Community Development Institute, Head Start Resource Center
1990-1993: Broad-based experience in Head Start. Provided assistance to grantees within Region VII. Assisted
Regional and National offices of the Head Start Bureau in implementing the overall program. Broad-based
knowledge of Head Start policies and procedures in assisting grantees in the operation of their programs. Provided
comprehensive training and technical assistance nationally. Exceptional interpersonal skills inherent in an
interdisciplinary team approach.
Social Services/Parent Involvement Coordinator: Wichita Head Start Program, Wichita, Kansas 1986-1990.
Coordinated community resources, social services and parent involvement activities for 732 children and families.
Provided support to all staff through cooperative planning and training. Coordinated recruitment, enrollment
activities. Jointly planned, coordinated and implemented program training plans. Responsible for preparation and
management of innovative funding and grant proposals. Responsible for non-federal share in-kind match. Public
relations coordinator for program. Monitored and supervised family services staff. Maintained, compiled and
submitted annual Program Information Report for agency in cooperation with coordinating staff of agency.
Responsible for managing, approving, dispersing Program Account 20 (T/TA) Funds.
Resource Center Home Visitor: Wichita Head Start Program 1985-1986. Provided support and advocacy for “atrisk” families. Required skills in crisis intervention, coordinating comprehensive services and counseling referrals.
Licensed Family Day Care Home Provider: Wichita Child Day Care Association. 1976-1984. Provided quality
day care for children and working families daily.
Parent Involvement Specialist/Family Advocate: Wichita Follow Through Program, 1972-1976. Coordinated
comprehensive services with community and families of children through third grade.
Teacher Assistant ---Wichita Follow Through Program 1968-1972.
Community Involvement
Director, Genesis XII Learning Foundation, Inc.
Pearson’s Farms Community Liaison
Calvary Baptist Church Volunteer
Member, Blue Springs Visioning Committee---(appointed by Mayor)
LINC (Local Investment Commission) Committee member
Appointed to Jackson County Human Rights and Citizen’s Complaints Commission
Member Jackson, County, MO Foster and Adoption Service Providers Advisory Board
Member Jackson, County, MO Foster Parent and Adoption Advisory Board
Candidate for Blue Springs School Board
Chair, Eastern Jackson County Minority Development Commission
Chair, Blue Springs Multicultural Innovations Expressions Group
Member, National Association of the Self-Employed
Women’s Entrepreneur’s Club, Kansas City, MO
Blue Springs Citizen’s Advisory Committee,
Blue Springs R-IV School District Candidate----Blue Springs, MO
Blue Springs R-IV School District Superintendent’s Roundtable, Blue Springs, MO
Friends University Department of Family Studies Collaboration Services, Wichita, KS
References provided upon request.