LeARner Collective: Tech-Enabled Solutions

LeARner Collective: Tech-Enabled Solutions Application

This application is exclusively for Arkansas Early Childhood Local Leads. Please complete the readiness self-assessment before proceeding to the full application.
The LeARner Collective

Through the LeARner Collective (TLC), we engage and equip teams in Arkansas to design, develop and implement creative solutions to problems of practice. TLC's transformative education model encourages teams to turn innovative opportunities into measurable success.

We invite Early Childhood Local Leads to this Center for Early Learning Solutions LeARner Collective opportunity focused on tech-enabled solutions for early childhood care and education systems. Selected Local Leads will be supported by CELS at Forward and our expert partners, Brightwheel with:
- Pilot licenses to Brightwheel Premium Childcare Management Software (CCMS)
- Pilot, custom Local Lead data dashboard showcasing provider insights
- Expert-led workshops to build CCMS knowledge, understanding, and peer learning
- Onboarding and CCMS feature 1:1 coaching sessions
- Proven tools, templates, and tracking frameworks to communicate opportunity to and track impact with providers
In facilitating the TLC, CELS at Forward Arkansas will also:
- Act as a partner and learner alongside Local Leads and participating providers, building our understanding of CCMS and its potential to solve for additional problems of practice
- Convene stakeholders throughout the experience in meaningful ways to seed learning and fuel a state-local learning loop
- Amplify success stories, creating momentum and conditions for system-wide scaling of solutions
Tech-Enabled Solutions Pilot

Our goal is to partner with Local Leads and providers in their catchment areas to strengthen the ground-level data and operations infrastructure in early childhood by supporting providers to adopt and fully use child care management systems (CCMS). When providers are using these systems effectively, they are more likely to have stronger business practices resulting in real impact such as:
- Reduced administrative hours
- Increased accuracy in compliance and reporting
- Improved revenue capture due to more timely and accurate subsidy payment tracking
Broader impact includes:

Stronger Data Quality - More providers entering operational data into CCMS could mean more accurate enrollment information, more timely reporting, and fewer manual reporting errors.

Reduced Administrative Burden - If providers are already using CCMS, future integrations with state systems become possible and duplicative entry could be reduced.

Better Visibility Into Provider Operations - Aggregated insights could help Local Leads, OEC, and partners better understand enrollment trends (child count, coordinated funding, etc.), revenue pressures, subsidy payment issues in real time. Additionally, providers are positioned to participate in shared services models that address additional operational needs.
Tentative Timeline:

Phase I:
- May, June 2026 - Cohort 1: Provider Outreach and Recruitment
- July 2026 - Cohort 1: Provider Onboarding
- June - August 2026 - Cohort 2: Provider Outreach and Recruitment
- September 2026 - Cohort 2: Provider Onboarding
- October 2026 – TLC Kick-Off (all selected Local Leads & Cohort 1 & 2 Providers)
Phase II:
- September - November 2026 - Cohort 3 & 4: Provider Outreach and Recruitment
- December 2026 - Cohort 3 & 4: Provider Onboarding
- December 2026 - Cohort 3 & 4: TLC Introduction
Phase III:
- January - March 2027 - Cohort 5: Provider Outreach and Recruitment
- April 2027 - Cohort 5: Provider Onboarding
- April 2027- Cohort 5: TLC Introduction
Phase IV:
- May - August 2027 - Cohort 6: Provider Outreach and Recruitment
- September 2027 - Cohort 6: Provider Onboarding
- September 2027- Cohort 5: TLC Introduction

Rows	Yes! We demonstrate this attribute in observable ways.	Need Support	Not Yet
We have strong relationships with child care providers and can effectively engage them in worthwhile initiatives. We are prepared to support providers in adopting and consistently using a child care management system (CCMS).

Rows	Yes! We demonstrate this attribute in observable ways.	Need Support	Not Yet
We value data and are interested in using insights to improve provider and system operations and decision-making.

Rows	Yes! We demonstrate this attribute in observable ways.	Need Support	Not Yet
We have the capacity to participate in workshops, coaching, and peer learning over the course of the pilot.
We are able to communicate opportunities and share learnings with providers and partners.

Rows	Yes! We demonstrate this attribute in observable ways.	Need Support	Not Yet
We are interested in leveraging technology to improve outcomes for families including strengthening access, communication, and coordinating efforts among providers in our region.

Rows	Yes! We demonstrate this attribute in observable ways.	Need Support	Not Yet
We are interested in leveraging shared systems (like CCMS) to enable broader solutions, such as shared services models.
We are willing to share learnings and contribute to a broader, statewide learning community.

LeARner Collective: Tech-Enabled Solutions Pilot Application
Local Lead Organization
Primary Contact

First NameLast Name
Title
Primary Email
example@example.com
Secondary Contact

First NameLast Name
Secondary Email
example@example.com
Counties Served:
In 2–3 sentences: Why is this work important for your community right now, and what do you hope to gain by participating in the pilot?
Current State & Goals: Check all that apply.
In 2-3 sentences: What is one challenge or opportunity related to provider operations or data in your region?
In 2–3 sentences: How will your team support providers in adopting and using CCMS, and apply learning from this pilot locally?
What would success look like for your region at the end of this project?
By signing below, we agree to the following commitments:
- Participating in the TLC experience, including workshops, coaching, and peer learning
- Sharing the pilot opportunity with local providers and supporting consistency in pilot activities
- Applying learning locally and sharing feedback to inform broader strategy
Signature of Agreement
Should be Empty:

LeARner Collective: Tech-Enabled Solutions Application

The LeARner Collective

Tech-Enabled Solutions Pilot

Tentative Timeline:

LeARner Collective: Tech-Enabled Solutions Pilot

LeARner Collective: Tech-Enabled Solutions Pilot Application