Our vision: To provide a statewide network of resources that support child care providers to improve quality and empower families to make informed decisions about childcare.
A QRIS is an approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care settings. In Kansas, our QRIS is now Links to Quality. Links to Quality is a child care quality recognition and improvement system created with the support of early childhood organizations across the state and led by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). This state-wide system was designed to promote the strengths child care providers bring to their work every day. In our system, providers can earn Quality Recognition Links to show the quality of their practice and highlight their strengths in the areas of Program Leadership, Family Partnerships, and Learning and Development.
DCF launched the Links to Quality Pilot with a small group of about 40 providers in April 2018. The Links to Quality Pilot is a trial run to ensure that all Links to Quality materials and procedures operate as planned. The pilot will last for a period of 2 years.
We have established a QRIS Advisory Group that meets quarterly which will assist the Links to Quality program staff in the development and implementation of the statewide system. The advisory group serves to make recommendations and/or provide key information and materials to the Links to Quality program staff and work groups. This advisory group is a collection of individuals who bring unique knowledge and skills within the early childhood community.
QRIS Advisory group members include
Karen Beckerman - Strengthening Families Services Director, DCF
Nichelle Adams - Early Education and Child Care Services Manager, DCF
Rachel Anno - QRIS Program Manager, DCF
Michelle Allen - QRIS Supports Manager, DCF
Lori Steelman - Program Director, Child Care Licensing, KDHE
Patty Peschel - Program Director, Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities
Leadell Ediger - Executive Director, Child Care Aware of Kansas
Heather Staab - Director, Infant-Toddler Part C Services, KDHE
Kelli Roehr - Head Start Director, Project Eagle Kansas City, KS
Amy Meek (Blosser) - Early Childhood Director, Children’s Cabinet
Jackie Counts - Director, Center for Public Partnerships & Research, KU
Nis Wilbur - Early Childhood, Kansas Parents as Teachers Consultant, KSDE
Hope Adame - Director, Early Childhood Programs, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Tiffany Blevins - Early Childhood, Special Ed & Title Services, KSDE
Deb Crowl - Emporia Child Care, Administrator
Staci Ogle - Family Child Care Provider
Corrine Carr - Family Child Care Provider
Rebecca Clancy - Director of Workforce Supports, Child Care Aware of Kansas
2019 Advisory Group Meetings/Notes
December 12 Notes
September 25 Notes
June 20 - Meeting cancelled
March 20 Notes
2018 Advisory Group Meetings/Notes
March 26 Notes
June 18 Notes
September 20 Notes
December- Meeting cancelled
2017 Advisory Group Meetings/Notes
March 24- Meeting cancelled
June 19 Notes
September 18-Meeting cancelled
December 13 Notes
2016 Advisory Group Meeting/Notes
March 10 Notes
June 20 Notes
September 19 Notes
December 19-cancelled
2015 Advisory Group Meetings/Notes
December 14, 2015 Notes
All meetings will be at the KASB from 10:00-3:00 unless otherwise noted.
Please contact DCF Links to Quality (QRIS) Program Staff for more information or questions.
Email – DCF.L2QPilot@ks.gov