Second-year student Richmond Osei-Danquah is completing a fellowship as part of his Capstone project with the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education at the Department of Human Services. Osei-Danquah started with the division in September.
The purpose of the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education at DHS is to enhance the coordination of child care and early childhood education programs throughout Arkansas. This coordination ensures a seamless delivery of early childhood and child care services to low-income families and those who are moving from welfare to work.
In his role, Osei-Danquah is conducting research into adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among children from birth to age five in Arkansas to understand the causes and effects and developing strategies to mitigate the negative outcomes of ACEs. He interviews directors and teachers at childcare facility centers throughout the state who have difficulty dealing with children with challenging behaviors.
“I decided I wasn’t going to wait for the last moment to look for a Capstone project,” Osei-Danquah said. “I made a general inquiry around April 2019 to see if there were Capstone opportunities with DHS. I got lucky and someone emailed back and said there were such opportunities but details won’t be available until June or July 2019. I applied and went through the processes and got selected.”
Osei-Danquah, a native of Nkawkaw, Ghana, graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a degree in policy planning. Before enrolling at the Clinton School, his work experience included times as an assistant development planning officer with West Akim Municipal Assembly in Asamankese and a child development officer with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
“I chose DHS specifically because I wanted to learn more about state governance and how policies could affect change in society,” Osei-Danquah said. “Ultimately, I want to start my own NGO and help brilliant but needy students in Ghana.”
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