Bright & Early ND Connect

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Bright & Early ND is North Dakota's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) designed to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality of early childhood programs. Administered by Health and Human Services, Bright & Early ND serves as a key strategy for quality improvement under North Dakota law (NDCC 50-11.1)

Our Mission

Bright & Early ND's mission is to promote high-quality early childhood experiences that build the foundation children need to thrive in school and in life. We achieve this by supporting and strengthening North Dakota's early childhood workforce, empowering them to elevate the quality of care they provide to young children, their families, and the community.

Need Help? Get Connected

Connect with the dedicated professionals at both the state and local levels who are working together to support North Dakota's early childhood workforce.

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Tara Wateland, quality administrator | (701) 298-4557 | twateland@nd.gov

As the quality administrator for the Bright & Early ND State Team, Tara provides system oversight and develops policies to support the effective implementation of Bright & Early ND.

Sabrina Bachman, validation specialist | (701) 787-6529 | sbachman@nd.gov

As the validation specialist for the Bright & Early ND State Team, Sabrina implements the quality rating process by processing applications, evaluating and scoring evidence, and awarding quality ratings.

Health and Human Services contracts with Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP) to provide outreach, assessment, and technical assistance to programs participating in Bright & Early ND.

Angela, manager | (218) 512-1502 | angelaw@caplp.org

As the manager for the Bright & Early ND Support Team, Angela provides oversight and direction for outreach, assessment, and technical assistance services. In addition, she serves as a liaison to the Bright & Early ND State Team.

Brianna, navigator | (218) 512-1510 | briannas@caplp.org

As the navigator for the Bright & Early ND Support Team, Brianna supports the early childhood workforce by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to concerns. 

The quality coaches provide support, resources, and technical assistance to the early childhood workforce. They have specialized knowledge and training in achieving and maintaining the Bright & Early ND Quality Standards. Participating programs are assigned a quality coach at the beginning of their quality improvement journey.

Laci, quality coach coordinator | (218) 979-0347 | lacic@caplp.org

  • Serving Cass, Grand Forks, Steele, and Traill counties

Ashley, quality coach | (507) 450-8247 | ashleyh@caplp.org

  • Serving Adam, Billings, Bowman, Burleigh, Dunn, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, McKenzie, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sioux, Slope, and Stark counties

Beth, quality coach | (701) 230-4030 | bethh@caplp.org

  • Serving Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, Towner, Walsh, and Wells counties

Erin, quality coach | (701) 997-4662 | erink@caplp.org

  • Serving Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Emmons, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, and Stutsman counties

Tracy, quality coach | (701) 512-1509 | tracyv@caplp.org

  • Serving Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Renville, Sheridan, Ward, and Williams counties

The assessors conduct onsite observations to early childhood programs participating in Bright & Early ND. They have specialized knowledge and training in the Environment Rating Scales® and CLASS®. Participating programs are assigned an assessor when an observation is requested.

Sarah, assessor coordinator | (218) 979-0346 | sarahb@caplp.org

  • Serving Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Emmons, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, and Stutsman counties

Denise, assessor | (701) 430-0654 | deniseo@caplp.org

  • Serving Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, Steele, Towner, Traill, Walsh, and Wells counties

Niki, assessor | (218) 979-0301 | nikih@caplp.org

  • Serving Adam, Billings, Bowman, Burleigh, Dunn, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, McKenzie, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Slope, Stark, and Sioux counties

Julia, assessor | (218) 593-0386 | julias@caplp.org

  • Serving Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Renville, Sheridan, Ward, and Williams counties
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