[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6130810,"mediaKeyId","5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e","parentId",5735528,"title","Panel reviews work groups: family‑friendly workplaces, workforce recruitment and early childhood mental health","audioSeconds",520,"startMs",3480000,"endMs",4000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e&start=3480&end=4000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6130810/Kansas/Panel-reviews-work-groups-familyfriendly-workplaces-workforce-recruitment-and-early-childhood-mental-health","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6130810-47b8a0a268e7de3f303d5fbf51d9b5b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770681585&Signature=RMSAHg1ChpUVSa90MU7JIskXbci6zy9cA6oxKrci0XIZ~HQ6TVU~aSEnHpnD2eJODpJ6O1c3LUVdhH2RtzXuArBAkY2CULMovQlqMn72YoFG4h8b30eO-1Zm1el3bTmSLar3vtF67SMaRcYl6zJsgz4XuWppdBpdFtnVbCB8kNlrvhLey16rznKKct1O4z-PrI1vYysiPF0L5FUqt8Ydu7Lt2ewU0IVRXFjvlj3haDRUTuOjtnLV7toB19VoYbzdqqYbqCgmAo~SrkPRPkD3ZwdjQilrDdmy4kFk6vn3DzQVcnz8FrX2G2lBEDtAkGPsgKKzcD-3h9~DcnUIrKH3aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kansas Children's Cabinet","date","2025-09-04T05:12:07Z","article","Panel members reviewed the five active work groups that will drive the panel’s recommendations for 2025–26 and heard short chair reports on past work and near‑term priorities.
Family‑friendly workplaces: Melissa Martin (Spark Quill) described a proposed statewide designation to recognize employers that adopt family‑friendly policies. The framework under development would include a structured application, tiered recognition with employee voice required, no‑cost resources, a renewal cycle, and four policy domains (leave, health support, work schedules and economic supports). Martin said the group recommends a neutral home outside of a state agency to host the designation and will develop survey instruments, scoring rubrics and a fee/waiver structure.
Mental health supports: Megan Kluth (KU CPPR) said the mental health work group focuses primarily on the early childhood workforce’s mental health needs and connections to family and child mental health. The group has compiled system needs, training and resource lists and plans a convening in Topeka on Oct. 15 to inform concrete projects. Kluth said the team will create a workforce mental health survey and coordinate with Preschool Development Grant (PDG) gap analyses to identify geographic and population‑specific needs.
Targeted recruitment/workforce pipeline: Amy Gottschamer (owner/executive director, Goolsby's Learning) reviewed two years of analysis about barriers that discourage people from entering or staying in early childhood careers. The group documents impediments beyond wages — public perception, professional respect, small‑business skills for home‑based providers and misalignment between high school or paras’ training and KDHE licensing requirements — and plans targeted outreach to high school and para populations and alignment work on competencies and minimum requirements.
Systems communications and ECE collaboration hub: Marietta’s systems communications group surveyed early childhood governance groups to create a draft communications guide and asked for a permanent home for the resource. Panel members also heard a pitch for a new Early Childhood Education collaboration hub to take a system‑level, cross‑sector view and identify gaps and voices missing from current efforts; Christy Smith framed the hub as a space for \"big picture\" thinking and barrier‑busting connections across programs.
Member actions: Panel staff will circulate a short survey asking members to pick work groups and to indicate willingness to serve in leadership roles. The next panel meeting on Sept. 19 will include dedicated time for initial work group meetings; chairs asked members to complete the survey beforehand.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 15, 2025 - Early Childhood Recommendations Panel Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Panel chairs gave overviews of five work groups — family‑friendly workplaces, mental health supports, targeted recruitment, systems communications and a new ECE collaboration hub — and asked panel members to select groups and consider leadership roles ahead of September work sessions.","taxTitle","Children’s Cabinet, Governor's Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Kansas","taxId",25239,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6130815,"Panel told a dashboard is coming to measure progress on All In for Kansas Kids strategic plan",446,5428000,5874000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e&start=5428&end=5874","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e/thumbnail_5428000.jpg","/articles/6130815/Kansas/Panel-told-a-dashboard-is-coming-to-measure-progress-on-All-In-for-Kansas-Kids-strategic-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6130815-b9150ef768a2757361a9391232e0650e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770681585&Signature=kkO62~gSmyCh~brdiTdzRNBnvmCvPx9WqAHMX3ECJQo~Nqu9vu02xNkefl8DupPeBKMbU2MX~aMZhy06sKAp7JWZ5N5LrYxufg-cmxDagrRGWiqh9dg0czy1M1QRDMpnZmU7gjldi4WiFT80vykATi6~BA3qYCDIEs9Zvdnqfw-L-m0iVanmqHhpktgLEGT~ixoRa7VegTDAR8P3~NA8K9uNV3VkCsjIglC-qvDvZicuunPpydKRWOTyhwdv6pQsWRQAWEUm0mt81XQ6yzqg3d6okJGrrFp1TEey5Aj-JbylR-usxeqUBFuGcAne~TzYLe8hX3RUGshQgWBhcgjl~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kansas Early Childhood Recommendations Panel received an update on a new strategic‑plan monitoring project that aims to aggregate existing data and partner stories into a single dashboard to measure progress on the All In for Kansas Kids strategic plan.
Chavis Lipgar Armstrong, a researcher with the KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research, outlined project goals to establish shared accountability across organizations and to move from siloed reporting to regular data sharing and interpretation. She explained the project will group organizations’ routinely shared data to create indicators tied to specific strategic plan actions and use those indicators to show system‑level progress.
The dashboard: The project team said it will use the MySidewalk platform, citing examples of other communities that use the platform to show progress on community health or strategic plans. The team plans to deploy a prototype to a select audience (including panel members) in the coming months and to make a wider dashboard available by the end of the year.
Why it matters: Presenters said a shared dashboard could help partners demonstrate how local projects and services drive progress on workforce development, family connections to services, and other strategic plan goals. The team is already collaborating with groups implementing the new Kansas school competencies for early childhood professionals and with the Kansas Children's Service League on a dataset tied to a 1‑800 children hotline to illustrate change over time.
Discussion vs. decisions: The briefing was informational; no formal policy decision or vote occurred. Panel members were asked to help identify organizations that could share data and to provide feedback on the dashboard prototype.
Next steps: The team will continue outreach to align partner data with strategic plan actions, assemble indicators, and circulate a prototype for panel feedback prior to wider publication later in the year.","KU researchers described a new monitoring initiative that will compile partner data into a shared dashboard (MySidewalk) to track indicators tied to the All In for Kansas Kids strategic plan, with a prototype expected for panel review and a broader launch by year end.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6130818,"Panel preview: new county‑level ‘well‑being pathway’ tool to highlight local strengths and bright spots",1264,5990000,7254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e&start=5990&end=7254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e/thumbnail_5990000.jpg","/articles/6130818/Kansas/Panel-preview-new-countylevel-wellbeing-pathway-tool-to-highlight-local-strengths-and-bright-spots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6130818-7dbc0841ff931e59d8c06a74577b2934/orig.mp4?Expires=1770681585&Signature=UnQ2~qVSchZP3oSAgPgnGDT2n0NCrGMPVQLSCJ9LXY4iXsTB~OdqgpQZW4sVHKk5eHNpFYa3DcVm2wxg-JcNdZBD~LRCGUGkGSgbQP2MfGCD1aHKfJMfe7t5-cBmKMykwNDLbaR2jH9bFBXdSotrLjGYXXmHF2alK0wNxv5yQXBxFHX0Eht6Bv8-0ukE-Hw6BuTWXknVf3I9g~qGF8p3r3EIX52KqLiMwMT9JrxxRsQiUZegMSUnG~cHFkfjV36w9zMEtYqxKbNlcwv4OfkRp8-lXsyMkvnuRn5EYS34k4hWSjxhreigtCri0~RDZlc7EDayd0gtoLMrmF7NaDPwIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Researchers and partners working with the Kansas Children's Cabinet previewed a new online Well‑Being Pathway that uses publicly available data to produce county‑level snapshots across six strengths‑based dimensions and offers community actions and examples to inform local planning.
Megan Chiesick of the KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research and Kayla Byers, affiliated with Florida State University and KU CPPR, demonstrated the tool and described its orientation toward strengths, family and community input, and locally actionable resources. Chiesick said the pathway aggregates multiple indicators into an index and intentionally avoids deficit language, noting the tool shows \"how many children are not [in negative circumstances] and how many children are faring well.\" The six dimensions are family and household, community environment, health, education and financial (as presented during the demo).
Why it matters: Panel members said a strengths‑based, county‑level view could help communities pinpoint local needs and copy proven approaches. The pathway will include \"take action\" suggestions, links to resources and a place to submit local bright spots for statewide visibility.
Timing and usage: Presenters said the pathway was intended as a living tool; the team planned a public rollout in September and a webinar walkthrough for the All In for Kansas Kids audience. Bright spots and the data behind indicators will be updated over time; the presenters asked panelists to submit local bright spots via a short survey the team circulated.
Discussion vs. decisions: The session was informational; there was no formal vote. Panelists asked how the site would be promoted and were told the team will distribute shareable material and post the resource on the Children's Cabinet site and the All In for Kansas Kids listserv.
Next steps: The presenters requested help from panel members to collect and submit bright spots and to circulate the tool when it goes live. The team plans to publish county pages, update indicators as new data become available, and highlight Kansas and national examples.
","KU and partners showed a strengths‑based county tool that scores six dimensions of well‑being, seeks community 'bright spots,' and is scheduled for public launch in September; panelists were asked to share examples and help promote the tool.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6130820,"Panel spotlights Coffeyville hospital in discussion of rural health and pediatric access",704,885000,1589000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e&start=885&end=1589","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5735528-83d1b965c9cc5e40f21a5f052a8c6e3e/thumbnail_885000.jpg","/articles/6130820/Kansas/Panel-spotlights-Coffeyville-hospital-in-discussion-of-rural-health-and-pediatric-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6130820-e12ef86135287cac0714a1c45d452dd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770681585&Signature=ABUfnrSUWEcG6moVeFRKZcS2b1H6vZenbcIrQyyIsCQV7uRplj3ceIXUEdu4WH27INtq1BLKnKkq-1KJq~zIVAV4SZUXeOpi2XECwOATO-TPM~bdncylEfNSsXm15CTMkLw~r16H0~itUjY7kGApGADqNTocFnbeqXLW~raec~QyCtfwhJViB-VGA7SsreXrqnG4VV-KL5ErrJaXAgph9CVpIuG6lPketg5cdzcPYWZy~w3Il~8KGHw1RjzMg~alGhiioDs4MKclXXZHEnZ61R17YLEe64M9c~DkHqGwTGPzBf-1HkCr0p7cxQiUokZk57QHeoBiD3Yzbo~efLKsSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Kansas Early Childhood Recommendations Panel on a mid‑August virtual meeting highlighted a U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) rural hospital stabilization cohort that includes Coffeyville Regional Medical Center and discussed how rural hospital capacity and pediatric provider shortages intersect with early childhood needs.
The discussion centered on why stable local hospitals matter to families and to recruiting and retaining health and child‑care professionals. Melissa Schonberger, chair of the panel and early childhood system specialist at the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund, said the HRSA program \"is expected to take hospitals 18 to 24 months to complete\" and described Coffeyville Regional Medical Center as \"a 25 bed critical access hospital in Coffeyville, Kansas\" in Montgomery County.
Why it matters: Panel members said access to local maternity and pediatric care affects families’ ability to live and work in rural communities and can influence whether physicians or other professionals with young children will accept jobs there. Christy Smith, executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas, urged the panel to consider how early childhood services connect with broader community supports and recommended proactive outreach to health providers rather than waiting to be asked.
Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition representative Brenda Bandy added that Coffeyville had achieved the \"high 5 for mom and baby premier designation\" for maternity and breastfeeding support, noting that small hospitals can lead on maternal and infant care despite lower birth volumes.
Discussion vs. decisions: The panel’s remarks were discussion and outreach-oriented; no formal vote or policy action was taken. Panel members suggested inviting Coffeyville representatives to a future meeting so the panel can learn specifics about the hospital’s work and consider replication or partnership opportunities in other rural areas.
Context and clarifications: Panelists connected this news item to the panel’s strategic priorities for health access and family supports. The HRSA cohort reference and Coffeyville’s 25‑bed critical access status were made on the record during the Kansas in the News portion of the meeting. Members emphasized that the segment was meant to spark thinking and not to announce a cabinet or agency decision.
Next steps: Panel staff said they will share the HRSA and American Board of Pediatrics resources referenced in the discussion and consider inviting Coffeyville to present at a future panel meeting.
","Kansas Early Childhood Recommendations Panel members discussed a federal HRSA stabilization cohort that includes Coffeyville Regional Medical Center and flagged pediatrician shortages in parts of the state, urging connections between health care access and early childhood workforce and services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel reviews work groups: family‑friendly workplaces, workforce recruitment and early childhood mental health

Panel told a dashboard is coming to measure progress on All In for Kansas Kids strategic plan

Panel preview: new county‑level ‘well‑being pathway’ tool to highlight local strengths and bright spots

Panel spotlights Coffeyville hospital in discussion of rural health and pediatric access