April 13, 2015
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 (formerly known as STARS Advisory)
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. 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:
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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, 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 Nursery Schools, parents, Regional Keys, Pennsylvania
Department of Education, Libraries, Association for the Education of Young Children)
Office of Child Development and Early Learning | Departments of Education and Public Welfare |
333 Market Street, 6th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126 | 717-346-9320 | www.education.state.pa.us
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:
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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,
Tracey Campanini, Acting Deputy Secretary
Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Office of Child Development and Early Learning | Departments of Education and Public Welfare |
333 Market Street, 6th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126 | 717-346-9320 | www.education.state.pa.us
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 15, 2015
Send all completed applications to:
Mailing Address:
Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Departments of Education & Public Welfare
333 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Facsimile:
(717) 346-9330
Email:
RA-ocdearlylearning@pa.gov
Please remember to include the following:
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A résumé which includes your contact information;
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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: RA-ocdearlylearning@pa.gov
Office of Child Development and Early Learning | Departments of Education and Public Welfare |
333 Market Street, 6th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126 | 717-346-9320 | www.education.state.pa.us
KEYSTONE STARS STAKEHOLDERS APPLICATION
NAME:
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.
Office of Child Development and Early Learning | Departments of Education and Public Welfare |
333 Market Street, 6th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126 | 717-346-9320 | www.education.state.pa.us
2014-15 Regional Keys
Northeast
Regional Key
1520 Hanover Avenue
Allentown, PA 18109
(800) 528- 7222
Northwest
Regional Key
3823 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16505
(800) 860-2281
South Central
Regional Key
29 North Duke Street
York, PA 17401
(800) 864-4925
Southeast
Regional Key
Centre Square East
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(267) 773-4400
Southwest
Regional Key
305 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(877) 349-4850
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Berks
Bradford
Bucks
Carbon
Columbia
Lackawanna
Lehigh
Luzerne
Lycoming
Monroe
Northampton
Pike
Schuylkill
Sullivan
Susquehanna
Tioga
Wayne
Wyoming
Armstrong
Blair
Beaver
Butler
Cambria
Cameron
Centre
Clarion
Clearfield
Clinton
Crawford
Elk
Erie
Forest
Indiana
Jefferson
Lawrence
McKean
Mercer
Potter
Venango
Warren
Adams
Chester
Cumberland
Dauphin
Franklin
Fulton
Huntingdon
Juniata
Lancaster
Lebanon
Mifflin
Montour
Northumberland
Perry
Snyder
Union
York
Delaware
Montgomery
Philadelphia
Office of Child Development and Early Learning | Departments of Education and Public Welfare |
333 Market Street, 6th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17126 | 717-346-9320 | www.education.state.pa.us
Allegheny
Bedford
Fayette
Greene
Somerset
Washington
Westmoreland