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DCYF seeks provider input on 2027–2031 strategic plan; five themes guide draft
Summary
DCYF described its agency strategic planning process, invited feedback on five emergent themes (impact, staff safety/support, working together, partnerships, building capacity/managing change) and asked the Provider Supports group how it prefers to review the draft plan in August–January engagement phases.
John Tuttle Gates, director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Collaboration at DCYF, described the agency’s process to build its 2027–2031 strategic plan and solicited feedback from providers and partners.
Gates said the planning process began with a comprehensive document review and an internal engagement phase that reached over 600 staff; DCYF held 70+ in‑person staff sessions, six tribal engagement sessions, and four lived‑experience sessions. The agency analyzed that input and distilled five cross‑cutting themes: focusing on impact (outcomes for communities), staff safety/support and growth, working together as one agency, developing and sustaining partnerships (including stronger tribal partnerships), and building capacity and managing change.
Gates explained the timeline: a draft will be produced in August, a secondary feedback period will follow in the fall (presenters will share 'here’s what we heard / here’s the draft / what did we miss?'), and the plan will be refined for a January draft before a six‑month communication phase. DCYF also invited the group to indicate whether it wants to be named as contributors in acknowledgement language and asked for preferred formats for receiving and commenting on the draft (email/form, written comment, live presentation).
Participants urged DCYF to ensure consistent, timely communications to providers (for example, clear timelines for licensing and pre‑licensing steps, predictable response expectations from licensors), to expand outreach to frontline providers by non‑email channels, and to follow through on work group recommendations (particularly workforce/staff qualifications) with transparent explanations when implementation is not possible.
Gates said DCYF will share a summary of meeting feedback with the group and incorporate the feedback into early learning division strategic planning sessions; the agency will prioritize accessible channels and follow‑up.
