EXCELS Community Engagement Liaison & Facilitator

The Maryland State Department of Education is seeking a contractor to provide community engagement liaison and facilitation services for the EXCELS program. The contractor will be responsible for designing and implementing a stakeholder engagement strategy, facilitating focus groups and advisory groups, and synthesizing feedback into actionable recommendations. The goal of this effort is to create a feedback loop where local insights are distilled into strategic guidance for MSDE. The contractor will work with diverse stakeholders, including local early childhood councils, child care resource centers, and family representatives. Key responsibilities include: • Strategic stakeholder facilitation and collective inquiry • Cross-sector system alignment and quality standards • Community liaison and family advocacy The contractor must have experience in large-scale family and stakeholder engagement strategies, facilitation and mediation, and community and family engagement. A bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field is required.