North Carolina's Division of Child Development and Early Education: Community Developed Qualitative Framework
By Judi Stevenson-Garcia, Mariam Dahbi, Aisha Pittman Fields, Sallie Strueby, Nicole Sharpe, Traci Borgh, BreAnna Davis Tribble
Overview
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) is dedicated to deepening its understanding of community members’ needs and priorities and the impact of the services the Division provides. They commissioned a Stakeholder Engagement Study to learn from and strengthen connections with the early childhood community. This study assessed past engagement efforts and solicited feedback that informed the creation of a Framework for Qualitative Data Collection and use within the Division. The Framework seeks to prioritize qualitative input in decisions impacting young children, ensuring that community voices shape pivotal changes in state child care services both presently and moving forward.
Our Process
This project took place in four phases. The first phase features a study to gather input from over 1,800 individuals about the potential of qualitative data to enhance the division’s understanding of communities needs and experiences. Participants included DCDEE staff, early childhood educators, Family Child Care Home Providers, and families with young children in child care programs. The second phase involved taking results from this study and input from multiple feedback loops with DCDEE staff and NC community members to develop a new Qualitative Framework. During the third phase, the Framework was piloted with DCDEE Staff and revised based on their input in phase 3. The last phase will involve sharing the finalized Framework within the Division (and with all other partners) so that interest holders may begin using it as a resource when engaging with the early childhood community.
The Outcome
The initial study, which took place in the first phase, resulted in a technical report and a community-facing report that demonstrates how members of the early childhood community seek easier ways to provide feedback and want their voices heard, emphasizing the need for accessible and trusted communication channels. They advocate for actionable outcomes based on their feedback to improve engagement processes. This inspired the Framework for Qualitative Collection and Use, which is currently in production. It will be implemented across NC DCDEE representing DCDEE’s commitment to amplify community voices and gather qualitative data for equitable and impactful policy and decision-making.
Related Work
