Governor Carney Announces Kimberly Krzanowski as Executive Director of Office of Early Learning

Krzanowski to begin April

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney announced today Kimberly Krzanowski, a long-time leader and advocate for early learning in the state, as the new executive director of the Delaware Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning.

Photo of Kim KrzanowskiKrzanowski has more than 16 years of experience in early learning as a former early childhood teacher, center administrator and higher education faculty member, most recently as instructional director/Education Department chair at Delaware Technical Community College.

“We must ensure all children get to kindergarten ready to learn. Kim is the right leader to help us do this,” said Governor John Carney. “Kim will help our state build stronger connections between early learning and our K-12 schools.”

Krzanowski will join the Office of Early Learning on April 3.

As executive director of the Office of Early Learning, Krzanowski also will maintain support for Delaware Stars, the state’s quality rating system for early childhood centers, and help Delaware provide children and families with the early intervention and coaching they need to ensure the children are ready for school.

“Kim has dedicated her career to advocating for our youngest learners, ensuring they receive access to high quality care and education. I am excited to welcome her to the Delaware Department of Education,” said Secretary of Education Susan Bunting.

Krzanowski also has served on numerous advisory boards and statewide committees to implement policy changes that are needed to ensure all children have a strong foundation from the beginning. These committees include T.E.A.C.H® Early Childhood Delaware, Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Development, New Castle County Vocational School District Early Childhood Career Program and the Delaware Early Childhood Professional Development Strategic Planning Committee.

As instructional director for Education Programs at Delaware Technical Community College, Krzanowski has collaborated with community stakeholders to develop partnerships amongst numerous school districts and early learning organizations. Additionally, she has provided executive leadership to faculty, students and a nationally accredited child development lab school.

Krzanowski holds a Bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Delaware, a Master’s degree in instruction from Wilmington University and is currently working toward her Doctorate degree in educational leadership with a concentration on the early childhood workforce at Wilmington University.

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Governor Carney Reestablishes the Family Services Cabinet Council

Council will help coordinate crucial public and private services for Delaware families

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney signed Executive Order Five on Tuesday, reestablishing the Family Services Cabinet Council to help coordinate public and private services for Delaware families.

Delaware families continue to face significant challenges – including the high cost of child care; violence and poverty in their neighborhoods; the impact of caring for an aging family member; and the challenges of navigating an economy in transition. The Family Services Cabinet Council will be charged with coordinating public and private services that are often fragmented, and proposing changes to current programs to make the delivery of state services more effective.

Governor Carney will serve as chair of the Council.

Reestablishment of the Council, which was first established under Governor Tom Carper, was an action called for by Governor Carney’s Transition Team in their Action Plan for Delaware. The Council also will work closely with the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review Board (GEAR), which Governor Carney created this month to identify cost savings and efficiencies in state government, and to more effectively operate state programs and services.

“Our challenge is to determine whether the programs and services we offer are effective in moving families out of poverty, improving our system of education and creating opportunities for all Delaware families to succeed,” said Governor Carney. “That requires all of us – government agencies, nonprofits and private business – to work together. That also requires that we measure our progress. The reestablishment of the Family Services Cabinet Council will help us do just that, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Delaware families.”

The Council will be tasked with implementing innovative tools and strategies for addressing a series of specific issues, including: breaking the school-to-prison pipeline; improving access to early childhood education; increasing the availability of affordable housing; improving access to substance abuse treatment; reducing recidivism in Delaware’s correctional system; expanding job training opportunities; and reducing violence in Delaware’s neighborhoods.

The Council will include eight members of Governor Carney’s Cabinet – the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families; the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services; the Secretary of the Department of Education; the Secretary of the Department of Labor; the Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security; the Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority; the Director of the Office of Management and Budget; and the Commissioner of the Department of Correction.

“It is our duty to ensure that our children and our families have the necessary tools to be healthy, prosperous, and safe,” said Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “The reestablishment of this Council will break down silos in state government and allow for a more collaborative and coordinated approach to address some of the most critical issues we face, so that every Delawarean has a fair shot.”


Free books for kids and teachers: Delaware teams up with First Book

Educators and students are invited to pick out free books at kickoff event on December 17

Wilmington, DE – The State of Delaware is partnering with nonprofit social enterprise First Book to enrich the lives of thousands of children in need across the State by putting free brand-new books into their hands and classrooms.

The State is kicking off the partnership on Saturday, December 17 with two family events that will bring 40,000 books to Delaware’s children, all for free. Educators who register for the event can pick out up to 50 books for each classroom, and each child who attends can pick out 10 free books—just in time for the holiday season. Books are available on a first-come.

“We could not be more excited about these events,” said Governor Markell. “We want Delaware to be the first state in the nation to ensure that every child in need has access to the books and resources required to be successful in school and in life, and we are delighted to be working with First Book to achieve that goal.”

First Book, which has operations in both the U.S. and Canada, works with formal and informal educators serving children in need ages 0-18 in a wide range of settings, from schools, classrooms, summer school and park and rec programs, to health clinics, homeless shelters, faith-based programs, libraries, museums, summer food sites and more. Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 150 million books and developed a network of more than 275,000 teachers serving low-income communities.

“First Book is committed to finding innovative ways to address unmet needs and work toward educational equality,” said President and CEO Kyle Zimmer. “Delaware’s state officials have been enthusiastic partners from the start; it is really exciting for us to work with a group of dedicated professionals who share our goals.”

“The State’s disadvantaged children are too often unable to access the books and resources that are a critical part of learning,” said State Librarian Annie Norman. “This campaign is a proactive and creative solution for the children in that gap today.”

Lots of Free Books, Upstate and Down

Teachers and kids can load up on books at Brandywine High School in North Wilmington (9 am to 3 pm) and the North Georgetown Elementary School (9 am to noon) on Saturday, December 17.

To attend the event, teachers from Title I or Title-I elegible schools and others who serve children in need on a formal or informal basis should complete the free registration process with the First Book network at firstbook.org/firststate. There, they can also access the First Book Marketplace, which has thousands of books available at deep discounts and use the National Book Bank, which provides boxes of books for only the cost of shipping.

Families are also encouraged to visit either location and take home 10 books per child. Families do not have to register to attend. Several event sponsors, including Christiana Care Health System, Nemours, and other community organizations, will have representatives at one or both events to share helpful information about the many services available to Delaware families.

The State of Delaware and First Book would like to thank the following sponsors for supporting this event: M&T Bank; Delle Donne & Associates; Christiana Care Health System; Nemours Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children; ShopRite; AFT Federation Union Local 762; AFT; Brandywine Education Association; Delaware Park; and United Way of Delaware.

Families and educators can learn more about the First Book/First State initiative and the December 17 event at firstbook.org/firststate. Volunteers can sign up at this link: https://firstbook.wufoo.com/forms/volunteer-registration-first-book-kickoff-event/

About First Book

First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise founded in 1992 that has distributed more than 150 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada, which, with more than 275,000 members, is the largest and fastest growing network of educators exclusively serving kids in need. By making new, high-quality books and educational resources available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. Eligible educators, librarians, program leaders, and others serving children in need can sign up at firstbook.org/register. For more information, please visit firstbook.org or follow the latest news on Facebook and Twitter.


Governor Hosts First Birth to 8 Summit on Early Learning

Dover, DE – More than 300 national and state education experts, practitioners and policymakers came together to celebrate Delaware’s early learning achievements and Illuminate the vision for a birth to third grade approach at the Governor’s Birth to 8 Summit: First 3,000 Days in the First State.

“There are only 3,000 days between the time a baby is born and when he or she makes the critical transition from learning to read to reading to learn at the end of third grade – which we know is the best predictor of high school graduation and college and career success,” said Governor Jack Markell, who was joined by Delaware Secretary of Education Steven Godowsky, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development Linda K. Smith, and other national leaders in early learning at the conference.

“The research is clear that investments in early childhood are one of the best ways to ensure our children’s success in school and life and our state’s future prosperity. We have made great progress in increasing access for all children to attend the high quality programs that have the biggest impact, but we cannot be satisfied until all Delaware children get the great starts they deserve.”

The Governor pointed to evidence showing that children who have access to high-quality early learning experiences are more likely to finish school, less likely to need special education services, and more likely to have higher earnings over their lifetimes. They also are less likely to use welfare or go to prison. Leading economists and the Federal Reserve Bank say high-quality early learning is one of the best investments government can make.

The convening was an opportunity to highlight successes and focus on what work remains. Under Markell’s leadership, participation in Delaware Stars for Early Success has increased by more than 300 percent in the past four years. Stars helps early learning programs improve quality and assigns a 1 to 5 Star rating to help families make child care choices.

Delaware also has been successful in increasing the number of children from low-income families enrolled in highly rated Stars programs: 59 percent were enrolled in 2015 compared to only 5 percent in 2011.

“A growing body of scientific evidence shows that development in the first eight years is rapid and cumulative and sets the foundation for all future learning. This is critical work that will benefit these children throughout their lives,” Godowsky said. “They will start school better prepared to succeed and be healthier and more self-sufficient over their lifetimes.”

Progress also has been made to ensure more children receive developmental screenings and mental health services as needed: More than 80,000 young children have received developmental screenings since 2011 – moving the state from last in the nation to 21st in the percent of young children receiving these screenings, which are critical for identifying and addressing developmental problems as early as possible. And more than 2,400 children have received Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation services, reducing behavioral challenges and achieving a 99 percent success rate in avoiding preschool suspensions.

Speakers and attendees today focused on challenges that remain as the state continues to strengthen its early learning programs. Breakout session topics ranged from building children’s socio-emotional competence and transforming the early learning workforce to engaging nontraditional stakeholders through community partnerships and how parent engagement can help reduce racial and ethnic disparities.

“To ensure the best outcomes for our youngest learners, we now must sustain and build on the great work that has been started with our partners across the state, and continue to ground our future work in the science of birth to 8 learning,” Office of Early Learning Executive Director Susan Perry-Manning said.

Attendees also celebrated six Delawareans who have made outstanding contributions to the state’s early learning progress. The six individuals were honored with Delaware Early Childhood Council 2016 Excellence in Early Childhood Awards.

“Each of these individuals has gone above and beyond to make a difference, many of them impacting thousands of young children statewide and some more locally in their own communities,” said Madeleine Bayard, who presented the awards on behalf of the Early Childhood Council.

Four award recipients were recognized for contributing to moving forward the pillars of the Early Childhood Council Strategic Plan, Sustaining Early Success. These recipients each were given $1,000 to contribute to a nonprofit that works with children ages birth to 8. The funding is generously supported by the Social Venture Partners Legacy Fund. The four honorees were:

Attorney General Matt Denn, for contributing to “A Healthy Start for All Children.” Denn is a long-time advocate for Delaware’s children, working to provide better services to children with disabilities, engage parents, and expand families caring for children in foster care. He has served the state as Insurance Commissioner and Lt. Governor. He led efforts to create one of the nation’s most comprehensive developmental screening programs for infants and toddlers and to create a new health insurance program for children of low income working parents. He worked closely with the Governor on the Governor’s landmark early childhood education efforts, chairing a policy review in 2009 and supporting the expansion of mental health consultants in recent years. He has been a champion of evidence-based practices such as the Nurse Family Partnership– and an advocate of young children for decades.

Evelyn Keating, for contributing to “High Quality Early Childhood Programs and Professionals.” Keating is a long-serving advocate for young children. She has worked around the country but most of her efforts have been devoted to Delaware, starting with The Family & Workplace Connection, where she was responsible for professional development, resource centers, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, AfterSchool Alliance, Capacity Grants, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood and other quality initiatives. She was a leader of the early United Way Success by 6 initiative and an early leader with the Early Childhood Council. She was one of the most significant catalysts to launching the Stars program, the foundation upon which our quality improvement is built today. She also has worked on professional development at the Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood. She most recently worked at the Office of Early Learning and is now at ICF International, providing technical assistance across multiple states.

Dawn Alexander, for contributing to “An Aligned and effective Early Learning System, Birth through Third Grade.” Alexander began her career as an educator in Colonial and earned the District Teacher of the Year Award in 2010 — among other awards including Superstars in Education. She went on to start and build the Red Clay Pre-K program, returning to Colonial recently as the preschool expansion coordinator. She has demonstrated leadership as the team lead of one of the most diverse and active Readiness Teams across the state.

Dr. Gwendolyn W. Sanders, for contributing to “Sustaining System Improvement.” Sanders is a Clinical Supervisor for the Master’s in Counseling Program (MEC) at Wilmington University. She is an early education consultant/facilitator for Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC) at the University of Delaware. She has many training, consultant, evaluation and certification roles in Delaware and nationally. She has served as a Head Start teacher and director and was the first African American dean at Delaware Technical & Community College, where she served more than 27 years first as the Dean of Student Services and then as the Dean of Development. Sanders is the chairperson of the Wilmington Early Care & Education Council (WECEC). During her career, she has assisted in the development and implementation of many programs designed to enhance the development of children and adult learners, including those for early learners, English learners, high school dropouts, and pregnant and parenting teens. She also started the Howard High School Rotary Interact Club.

Two individuals received new, non-monetary Champions for Young Children awards for their exceptional commitment over many years to young children:

Paul Harrell had a business career from which he retired to become a full-time education advocate. He spent most of his first career in the textile business and as an investor. Harrell moved to Delaware in 1989 and began pursuing his interests in education. He was the co-founder of a group called Social Venture Partners, which focused on providing quality early learning for children in Wilmington. He then went on to be the Delaware Department of Education’s Director of Public-Private Partnerships, helping to shape the state’s investment of $22 million in early learning and the state’s $50 million Early Learning Challenge federal grant, among other initiatives. He is now on the board of EastSide Charter, which is providing pre-Kindergarten, and the co-chair of the Commission on Early Learning and the Economy.

Jennifer Ranji started her career in Family Court, where she is now a Justice, and in the meantime was the leading force behind early childhood in our state for several years. Ranji worked with the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and in the office of former Governor Tom Carper, in private practice as an attorney and as an issue advocate. As Governor Jack Markell’s education policy advisor, she led a cross-agency, public-private collaboration to develop and implement the initiatives in the $22 million state investment and the federal $50 million Early Learning Challenge grant. Ranji was most recently the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families, focusing on child welfare, child care licensing and overseeing early childhood for the state.

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Governor’s Weekly Message: Announcing Enhancements to Early Childhood Programs


Wilmington  – In his weekly message, filmed at St. Michael’s School and Nursery in Wilmington, Governor Markell announces enhancements to help more early childhood programs receive high ratings and make it easier for disadvantaged kids to get the best care.

“We’ve heard from providers about the resources they need to meet high standards, so we’re increasing the assistance that’s most helpful,” said Governor Markell. “Our children are our future. By giving them the best opportunity to learn and develop from the beginning, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/UJ8EOQW1194
Delaware.Gov:  http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Announcing Enhancements to Early Childhood Programs