Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)

OCDEL Values Statement

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning strives to support children, families, and providers by addressing complex issues, from a place of creativity, innovation, and adaptability. Built on a solid foundation of collaboration, we leverage shared knowledge, insisting all are met with understanding, compassion, and respect. We are committed to a culture of belonging and foster this through honest and authentic communication, as we hold ourselves and each other accountable to the mission of the Office.

OCDEL Values

• Collaboration — Shared knowledge, working across systems and departments; working together to achieve a common goal by participating and listening; everyone has a voice; respect everyone’s perspective; intentionally creating space for all 
• Accountability/Reliability — Ownership of actions that are aligned with our purpose
• Honesty/Authenticity — Being truthful even when uncomfortable
• Belonging — Every voice is heard, respected and acknowledged; comfortability; have the opportunity to be vulnerable
• Creativity/Vision/Innovation — The ability to see complex issues from a place of adaptability, approaching solutions with the intention of making a meaningful difference 
• Inclusion — The ability to authentically collaborate with others in a respectable way; to know that you will be met with understanding, compassion and that your opinions matter

OCDEL Equity Statement

OCDEL strives to create a space where everyone feels a sense of belonging and respect. We acknowledge that historically, systems have marginalized those within the Pennsylvania early learning community, and it is our duty to represent and give voice to all those we serve. We are committed to noticing and softening judgments as they arise. We embrace feelings of discomfort with the understanding that this work must start from within. These beliefs are aligned with our core values – collaboration, accountability, honesty, belonging, creativity, and inclusion.

Actionable Equity Goals 

1. The people within the Office and those people supported by the Office, including partners, providers, families and children feel respected and valued.
2. The diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts are thread through everything we do, say and believe. This work is continuous and intentional.
3. Develop the skills of OCDEL staff as they write/edit equitable policies that directly address systems level inequities.
4. Establish equitable practices and policies for internal guidance. Including norms and standard ways of being in meetings and in collaborative settings. 
5. The vision for DEIB work will be clearly communicated to all people within the Office and intentional steps will be developed to build the capacity for DEIB support with leadership and supervisory personnel.
6. The Office will evaluate recruitment practices and work to address inequities where able.