Project descriptions from select public-facing client engagements:
“I’ve worked with Barb on several large projects and her contributions are always invaluable. She is strategic, detail-oriented, and highly professional. She brings a unique set of skills to bear including a strong data and analytics background, strategic planning, and research. Personally, Barb is a delight to work with - she is smart, fun, and unflappable during times of stress. I know that I can rely on Barb to get work done at the highest quality, improve any work plan/process, and meet tight deadlines. ”
RESEARCH AND STRATEGY: Analytic Tools to Inform Funding Decisions
Washington State Department of Commerce
In collaboration with the Department of Commerce and the WA State Collaborative Child Care Taskforce, wrote the True Cost of Quality Child Care Legislative Report that summarizes and highlights the Taskforce’s recommendations for improving and funding high-quality childcare in WA State, with a particular focus on findings from the Cost of Care Estimation Model and research. Recommendations focused on improving professional compensation and benefits for child care providers and updating the child care subsidy rate based on the Cost of Care model. Conducted research, analyzed best practices from other states, worked collaboratively with a team of staff, consultants, legislators, and task force members, and wrote the legislative report that was passed by the C3TF and submitted to the WA State Legislature in January 2023.
King County Council
Assessed strategic opportunities to reduce educational inequalities with $315M in public funds through the Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account (PSTAA). Interviewed stakeholders, developed assessment criteria with team of consultants, and reviewed evidence-base and cost, with a focus on facilities funds for early learning, co-location of affordable housing with early learning, children’s savings accounts, and project-based learning. Published the Strategy Assessment Report for King County Council.
LEADERSHIP: Management and Development of Innovative Programs
Washington State Department of Early Learning
Managed the Pay for Success Feasibility Study, a state effort to assess the data, systems, and program outcomes for evidence-based home visiting early learning programs in WA state. Provided leadership for overall project, including a team of 5 national consultants and evaluators, a senior policy consultant, program staff, and workgroups of legislators and leaders across policy, data systems, and program evaluation. Brought diverse stakeholders together to develop a feasibility study, and developed successful funding proposal for the Pay for Success Administrative Data Pilot, resulting in $750,000 of technical assistance from the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality and Third Sector Capital Partners to improve longitudinal data systems that track educational outcomes for children participating in home visiting and early intervention programs in Washington State.
IMPLEMENTATION: Implementation Plan Development and Writing
Seattle-King County Public Health and Department of Community and Human Services
Facilitated the King County Early Learning Facilities workgroup to develop an implementation plan for $153M of Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account funding over 15 years. In partnership with stakeholders and King County, wrote the Early Learning Facilities portion of the Implementation Plan, which was unanimously passed by the King County Council in September 2020.
OUTREACH: Community Feedback to Improve State Childcare Policies
Thrive Washington and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)
Led a community engagement initiative for Thrive WA and DCYF to reform child care licensing regulations and align standards across programs. Developed a project plan and evaluation strategy for statewide engagement with early learning providers. Hired and managed a team of staff and regional grantees that implemented focus groups with leaders from early learning centers and family care homes, with particular outreach to rural regions, tribal nations, and communities of color. Providers discussed how policies can affect underserved communities, and the regulatory reforms and alignment that impact quality and equity in child care and state ECEAP programs.
“Barb and I worked together on the WA State Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ Standards Alignment process, where we designed, implemented, and reported on statewide community feedback meetings. With a multitude of moving parts to manage and a variety of stakeholders to consider, Barb’s ability to clarify goals, define success, and build relationships made our final report incisive and impactful. As a manager, Barb’s leadership and spirit were invaluable to me!”