INTERAGENCY MEETING WITH THE CHILD CARE CENTER COMMUNITY

APRIL 29, 2015

About Program Standards Alignment

In developing and implementing a program quality continuum for early care and education the state:

– Aligned foundational regulations (DCYF and BEP) with Brightstars standards and RIDE CECE Standards. In some cases the regulations/standards are the same across all three parts of the continuum and in some cases they gradually increase until they reach best practice/high quality expectations (e.g. curriculum).

– Improved measurement of the aligned regulations/standards to ensure common regulations/standards are measured in the same way and regulations/standards which increase are measured in ways which build upon each other and set the stage for the next level of measurement

Now in process of moving to implementation of the aligned regulations/standards and measurements

– Interagency alignment committee meets monthly to discuss implementation issues– Providing professional development support to front line staff from DCYF, BS, RIDE, CELP, LISC– Created a means to educate families about program quality and assist them in identifying high-quality

programs for their children;– Guided the allocation of quality improvement resources in order to effectively help providers identify

incremental quality improvement goals and implement strategies to achieve them;

Program Quality Continuum

Technical Paper describes the program standards alignment process and rationale. The standards are aligned. What we are hearing is that there are implementation questions.

The continuum creates quality levels that provide a clear point of entry for providers and a meaningful progression toward higher quality across a number of program indicators. Creating levels of standards also works to eliminate redundancy among the different sets of standards and creates a pathway of incremental steps from a basic level of quality to the gold standard. Using the continuum, providers know where they are on the quality scale and understand the next logical step in their progression toward higher quality.

Resources to support program quality improvement

The state recognizes that to achieve high-quality, programs need high-quality materials and equipment to ensure the health and safety of children and to promote their growth and development across all the domains of early learning. Programs also need resources to support staff professional development, curriculum planning, child assessment, and family engagement.

Program Quality Improvement Grants Facilities Grants Quality Awards BrightStars Quality Improvement Specialist Services Center for Early Learning Professionals Services Workforce Supports

Resources direct to programs

Stipend to offset the cost to apply to BrightStars Under RTT-ELC, $$ Awarded to date to XX child care centers

Program Quality Improvement Grants Under RTT-ELC, $$ Awarded to date to XX child care centers Total Investment

Facilities Grants Under RTT-ELC, $$ Awarded to date to XX child care centers Total Investment

Quality Awards Under RTT-ELC, $$ Awarded to date to XX child care centers Total Investment

BrightStars Application Support

To help programs improve program quality BrightStars offers: Application Support Groups Information Sessions On-site application support

Total Investment in QRIS $

Center for Early Learning Professionals

Technical Assistance Professional Development Information Line The Center implements the Program Quality

Improvement Grants

Center for Early Learning Professionals Investment $

Workforce Supports

Workforce Knowledge and CompetenciesRIELDS Training CCRI ProgramInstitute for Teaching and Learning T.E.A.C.H.

RTT-ELC Workforce Investment $

Communication

Program Standards Alignment work was advertised through the state agencies and the Early Learning Council.

http://www.earlylearningri.org/quality-sub

In addition to official agency communication, Exceed.ri.gov communicates RTT-ELC implementation activities, news and events.

https://exceed.ri.gov/Default.aspx Exceed has snail mailed, emailed all providers to inform all about the

website and social media. Website designed for Programs, Professionals and Families – links to

documents and partner organizations to increase knowledge base and promote opportunities.

E-news twice a month, with special updates as necessary. Facebook and Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/exceedri https://twitter.com/exceedri

DCYF Implementation Questions Raised

Process to extend varianceGroup Size and Usable Floor Space Background Checks Multiple Inspections Immunizations children and staff Health Care Consultant Requirements

Process to Extend Current Variance

1. Submit request for variance extension to DCYF with re-licensing packet by May 31, 2015.

2. Describe progress made from November 2014 to present toward meeting full compliance standards.

3. Explain intended progress toward full compliance during next licensing period.

4. DCYF will review each variance request in accordance with the Child Care Program Regulations for Licensure and respond to the requests in writing by June 15, 2015.

Measurement of Usable Floor Space

Regulation: 45 square feet of usable floor space for infant/toddler activity rooms; 35 square feet of usable floor space for preschool activity rooms.Purpose: to promote growth and development of children in child care setting across all domains of early learning.Measurement: Measurement Guide describes all measurements https://exceed.ri.gov/Docs/DCYF_MeasurementGuidance.pdf

Background Checks

Regulation: The program administrator is responsible for ensuring that a criminal record background check and a clearance of agency activity is conducted on all new staff prior to the assignment of child care duties, including consultants, whether full or part-time.

Purpose: To ensure that children in child care programs are care for in a safe environment by staff who meet determined safety criteria

DCYF Policy 900.0035, Employment Background Checks: Facility Operators/Employees and Family Child Care Operators/Employees (http://sos.ri.gov/rules/), and;

DCYF Policy 900.0040, Criminal Record Background Check(s) (http://sos.ri.gov/rules/), and;

DCYF Policy 700.0105, Clearance of Agency Activity (http://sos.ri.gov/rules/).

Measurement: Licensing staff review employee files to verify that background checks have been conducted in accordance with regulatory criteria.

Note: Policy 900.0040 will be updated to reflect promulgated regulatory requirements.

Required Inspections

Regulation (Renewal of License): Current inspection approval are submitted prior to renewal to verify that program remains in compliance with the appropriate sections of the state fire, building, health and sanitation codes.Purpose: To ensure that children are cared for in a safe and healthy environment conducive to the promotion of childhood development across all the domains of early learning.Measurement: Licensing Staff ensure that all inspection reports are provided as part of the relicensing process.

Immunization Records

Regulation: Child care programs must adopt, at a minimum, policies and procedures consistent with the Rhode Island Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization and Communicable Disease in Preschool, School, Colleges or Universities.These regulations are accessible on the Rhode Island Department of Health’s website: http://www.health.ri.gov/immunization/for/schools/ Purpose: To ensure that children are cared for in a safe and healthy environment conducive to the promotion of childhood development across all the domains of early learning.

Measurement: Licensing Staff review staff and children’s on-site files for verification of compliance with the regulatory standard.

Health Care Consultant

Regulation: The program may choose to hire a child care health consultant in lieu of a nurse in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Healthy Child Care America http://healthychildcare.org/workwithhp.html

Purpose: To provide and alternative means, to the on site nurse requirement, of ensuring that the health needs of infants are met by child care center providers.

Measurement: Licensing Staff review documentation of participations in certified health care consultant program in accordance with regulatory standards.

DHS Role In Program Quality Continuum

Responsible for BrightStars Standards and Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

DHS revised QRIS standards as part of the Program Standards Alignment Process. Input and review from national experts; Public Feedback

sessions held; APA was followed. Information on this process can be found at earlylearningri.org.

Day to day implementation of BrightStars is managed by RIAEYC

CCAP approved programs must participate in BrightStars in order to care for, and receive payments for services to, CCAP children.

DHS Implementation Questions Raised

If a center is on a probationary license, can the program still receive CCAP payments? Yes, CCAP-approved providers receive payments for any

week in which they provide care to CCAP children. As long as DCYF allows the program to remain open, and

accept new enrollments, providers may continue to care and receive payment for CCAP children.

Inadequate CCAP Rates cannot support quality DHS developing proposal for tiered reimbursement Important for providers to complete 2015 Market Rate

Survey Will include input from provider focus groups Proposal will be shared with Governor and General

Assembly

BrightStars Implementation Questions Raised

DCYF explained that compliance with licensing requirements through the variance process constitutes full licensure. Please explain how a DCYF variance impacts a program’s BrightStars rating.

Questions?