Priscilla Peterka
Neenah
Summary
Mission-driven early childhood leader with expertise in strengthening Wisconsin's early childhood system through family engagement, community partnerships, and quality improvement. Skilled in building relationships across sectors to enhance access to developmental services and lead multi-organization initiatives. Focused on translating strategic priorities into measurable impact and fostering collaboration to improve outcomes for children and families.
Overview
1
1
Certification
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
YoungStar Coach
Shine Early Learning | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
01.2023 - Current
- Coached leadership teams in 110+ child care centers, enhancing support for over 5,152 children.
- Delivered evidence-based coaching and technical assistance, promoting sustainable organizational improvement.
- Guide implementation of Quality Improvement Plans aligned with Wisconsin's quality standards.
- Lead quality improvement initiatives that strengthen organizational capacity and improve outcomes for children and families across Northeast Wisconsin.
- Built collaborative relationships with administrators, educators, and community partners, strengthening local early childhood systems.
- Facilitate professional learning focused on family engagement, child development, leadership, and culturally responsive practices.
- Analyze program performance data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Connect programs with statewide initiatives, community resources, and professional development opportunities.
Bilingual Family Resource Specialist
Help Me Grow Fox Valley
01.2021 - Current
- Strengthen family access to developmental resources through the Help Me Grow model while building partnerships that improve coordination across community systems.
- Connected 1,057+ families with developmental screening, early intervention, parenting resources, and community services.
- Increased equitable access through multilingual outreach in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- Built collaborative referral pathways with healthcare providers, schools, child care programs, Family Resource Centers, and nonprofit organizations.
- Strengthened coordination among community partners to improve access to early childhood services.
- Facilitated family engagement activities and outreach events, providing parents with education opportunities to foster community involvement.
- Monitored referral activity and program data, identifying community needs to enhance service delivery.
Youth Director
Unity of Appleton
01.2019 - Current
- Led youth leadership and social-emotional learning initiatives, enhancing resilience, belonging, and community engagement.
- Coordinated volunteers, families, and community partners to broaden educational opportunities and reinforce community relationships.
- Led youth programs fostering community engagement and personal development.
- Developed curriculum tailored to diverse age groups and interests.
- Organized events promoting teamwork, leadership, and social responsibility.
Family Resource Specialist
Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin – Parent Connections
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Provided family-centered home visiting support, facilitating developmental screenings, parent education, and resource coordination.
- Partnered with multidisciplinary teams to enhance coordinated services for children and families.
- Executed outreach efforts that boosted participation and engagement among families.
- Maintained program documentation, reporting, and compliance with state standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Psychology
UNIFIL - Philadelphia University Center
Londrina PR Brazil01-2000
Skills
- Early childhood systems
- Community Engagement
- Capacity building
- Coalition Building
- Community Readiness
- Partnership Development
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Quality improvement
- Program Evaluation
- Performance Measurement
- Data Analysis
- Data assessment
- Project Management
- Strategic planning
- Operations
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Leadership
- Executive Communication
- Public Speaking
- Executive coaching
- Team Development
- Coaching methods
- Collaborative approach
- Stakeholder engagement
- Systems Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Coaching methods
- Data assessment
- Collaborative approach
Accomplishments
- Help Me Grow Family Resource Navigation
- Wisconsin YoungStar Quality Rating & Improvement System
- Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS)
- Technical Assistance Professionals Training – Relationship-Based Professional Development
- Family Systems Psychology
- Yale CHILD Observation Tool
- Cultural Humility – University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Pyramid Model
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Adult Learning & Professional Facilitation
- Positive Discipline
Certification
- Wisconsin YoungStar Quality Rating & Improvement System
- Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS)
- Technical Assistance Professionals Training – Relationship-Based Professional Development
- Family Systems Psychology
- Yale CHILD Observation Tool
- Cultural Humility – University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Pyramid Model
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Positive Discipline
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Advanced implementation of the Help Me Grow model by connecting 1,057+ families with developmental screening, early intervention, and community resources.
- Led quality improvement efforts supporting 110+ licensed child care programs serving more than 5,152 children across Northeast Wisconsin.
- Designed and facilitated 240+ professional development trainings for directors, educators, and early childhood professionals.
- Built collaborative partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, child care programs, Family Resource Centers, nonprofit organizations, and community agencies to strengthen coordinated systems of care.
- Guided organizational improvement through coaching, consultation, strategic planning, and continuous quality improvement.
- Delivered presentations and facilitated learning opportunities for educators, providers, families, and community stakeholders.
- Increased equitable access to services through multilingual engagement in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- Experienced using program data, quality measures, and participant feedback to support planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Help Me Grow Family Resource Navigation
- Wisconsin YoungStar Quality Rating & Improvement System
- Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS)
- Technical Assistance Professionals Training – Relationship-Based Professional Development
- Family Systems Psychology
- Yale CHILD Observation Tool
- Cultural Humility – University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Pyramid Model
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Adult Learning & Professional Facilitation
- Positive Discipline
Timeline
YoungStar Coach
Shine Early Learning | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
01.2023 - Current
Bilingual Family Resource Specialist
Help Me Grow Fox Valley
01.2021 - Current
Family Resource Specialist
Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin – Parent Connections
01.2021 - 01.2023
Youth Director
Unity of Appleton
01.2019 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Psychology
UNIFIL - Philadelphia University Center