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Business Consulting

Our Approach

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Each child is a unique and capable individual with the capacity to grow, develop and thrive.  A developmentally and culturally appropriate early learning environment ensures that experiences are tailored to the specific developmental needs of children of various age and developmental levels.  To support the learning experiences of children between birth through second grade, we focus on evidence-based practices that support the intersection of social justice, liberation, equity, family engagement and social-emotional learning.  

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We honor the voice, experiential knowledge and cultural capital possessed children, families and early education professionals, especially those who have been marginalized by inequitable social structures. We analyze their stories to identify recurring themes, challenges and potential solutions.  We realize that those who are deeply impacted by social injustice are in a prime position to develop solutions that positively impact their workforce, families and communities

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Services

Program Evaluation & Design

We provide program evaluation, design and support for start-up and existing early education programs.  Our services include coaching in areas related to curriculum development and business best practices.  We will guide you in building a program that will cater to the individual needs of young children and families as well as one that is rooted in equity and best practices.  Coaching support is customized and based on your specific program goals and evaluation outcomes.

Customized Professional Development

We offer a range of customized professional development, coaching, and technical assistance opportunities that can be offered on site at your location or virtually for early educators, directors and administrators. 

 

Our workshop and training sessions are led by industry experts.  

Qualitative Research Design

We design and implement research projects to better understand the lived experiences of children, families and early education professionals as it pertains to contemporary early education structures (i.e., program and workforce). We use their collective voices to assist your program's leadership team in designing improved systems that are rooted in equity, inclusivity and liberation. 

Grant Writing

Securing funding for your early childhood education (ECE) program can be challenging.  However, with the appropriate support, it's definitely achievable. Our grant writing consultants possess the necessary expertise and early education knowledge-base to craft compelling proposals. We develop program narratives that align with the funder's priorities and showcases the impact of your work. This includes developing literature reviews, crafting a needs statement, outlining clear objectives and activities, and demonstrating a sound budget and evaluation plan.  We ensure that your proposal adheres to all the funder's guidelines and formatting specifications and offer feedback and revisions throughout the application process.

Business Plan Development

A well-developed business plan can significantly improve your chances of success by outlining a clear roadmap for your program's development and growth. We can support your program by developing a business plan that includes all of the key components, including 1) marketing analysis and feasibility; 2) financial projections and budgeting; 3) operational planning; 4) SWOT analysis; and 5) fundraising and investment strategites.

Policy & Systems Development

We support programs by developing and/or co-creating policies, systems and matrices that are relative to their daily operations and written in accordance to State licensing regulations.

Policies include:

  • Parent Handbook

  • Staff Handbook

Systems/Matrices include:

  • staff scheduling

  • classroom cleaning/maintenance

  • food/nutrition

  • family enrollment

  • family engagement

  • staff evaluations, etc.

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Projects 

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Working Together, Achieving More

Sakofa partnered with the leadership team at Malaika to co-write a grant proposal to support the development of a comprehensive and replicable career pathway for early educators. The pathway begins during high school, through dual enrollment options, spans into the workforce by utilizing an apprenticeship model that supports on-the-job training and includes a variety of curriculum options and financial supports available at postsecondary institutions. The development and implementation of career pathways are necessary for increasing staff interest and retention in the field of early care and education. 

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A Movement for Male Educators

Sankofa co-wrote and submitted a grant proposal that will allow partners from The Literacy Lab and Milwaukee Area Technical College to collaboratively develop a plan to increase the presence of Black and Brown men in Wisconsin's early education workforce. 

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Honoring the Voice of Hmong and Native American Early Educators in Wisconsin

The client was interested in better understanding the lived and cultural experiences of Wisconsin's early educators who identify specifically as Hmong and Native American. To gather a response to their inquiry, Sankofa is designing and implementing a qualitative research study to better understand this population's workforce experiences. The ultimate goal is to adopt their narratives and utilize their cultural capital to promote equity-driven policies that support high quality early education programming and the stabilization of their unique communities. .

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Advancing Equity in Wisconsin's Early Education Workforce

The client was interested in better understanding the workforce experiences of Wisconsin's early educators who identify as BIPOC. In response, Sankofa designed and implemented a qualitative research study to gather answers to their inquiry. The abbreviated findings from this one-year study are included in the Executive Summary.  

Executive Summary - English

Executive Summary - Spanish

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Advancing Equity in Wisconsin's Early Education Workforce, Phase II

During Phase II of this research project, Sankofa is leading monthly community circles with seven research participants who compose the "Equity Steering Committee".  The aim of this phase is to guide study participants through the process of further analyzing research findings, determining policies that could be revised or developed to align with study findings, presenting policy recommendations to the appropriate government/regulatory bodies that govern Wisconsin's early education structures. 

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Advancing Equity in Wisconsin's Early Education Workforce, Phase III

During Phase III of this research project, Sankofa's Executive Director is disseminating study findings to local constituents, i.e., community groups and regulatory bodies, as well as presenting at national conferences.  Since research participants are integral to this work, they are serving as co-presenters, allowing them to provide first-hand accounts of their stories.  

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