From Sandra Kimmons, DCF:
I would like to officially announce the new EES TANF and Early Childhood Director Dr Carla Whiteside-Hicks. Carla has been an important part of the EES team, and as you can see from her background will bring much experience to the position. Here are the highlights and some of her goals.
Carla began her career with DCF in 2015 as a Human Services Specialist in the Wyandotte County office. She was promoted to Human Services Consultant and EES Supervisor in the DCF Kansas City Region, KEES Business Analyst in KDHE’s KEES Operations, and TANF Services Supervisor in DCF Administration. Carla served as a Point of Contact during DCF’s system conversion to KEES and worked with EES trainers assisting new staff. While working in the Kansas City Region, she was also a member of KEES Advisory Group (KAG) and Implementation Planning Team (IPT).
Prior to DCF, Carla supervised substitute teachers, and staff at KCK Public Schools responsible for bullying prevention and character education. As Director of the Regional Prevention Center of Wyandotte County, she and her team led campus and community initiatives to increase awareness of the negative implications of substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and irresponsible sexual behaviors. In this role, she also supervised Student Services staff at KCK Community College, managed grant-funded projects, and developed and facilitated training sessions with diverse members of the community.
Carla has a B.S. in Social Sciences from Kansas State University, a M.A. in Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution from Baker University, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. In keeping with her commitment to social service, the topic of Carla’s doctoral dissertation is The Impact of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families on Poverty Rates in Kansas.
Carla is currently active with the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation workgroup, Kansas Recovery Office’s Economic Development subcommittee, and American Public Human Services Association’s TANF Modernization workgroup. Carla is excited to continue increasing the level of program integrity in DCF’s TANF-funded programs designed to create empowering conditions with the belief that our clients can succeed. Carla is eager to build collaborative relationships within the early childhood community to actively demonstrate DCF’s commitment to support community based, family centric programs designed intentionally to meet specific identified needs. Carla brings to this position a wealth of diverse experience and a commitment to encourage and empower others.
Welcome Carla!