4.5 Supply Building

Building a supply of high-quality child care that meets the needs and preferences of parents participating in CCDF is necessary to meet CCDF’s core purposes. Lead Agencies must support parent choice by providing some portion of direct services via grants or contracts, including at a minimum for children in underserved geographic areas, infants and toddlers, and children with disabilities. 4.5.1 Child care services available through grants or contracts Does the Lead Agency provide direct child care services through grants or contracts for child care slots? [ ] Yes, statewide. Describe how the Lead Agency ensures that parents who enroll with a provider who has a grant or contract have choices when selecting a provider: [x] Yes, in some jurisdictions, but not statewide. Describe how many jurisdictions use grants or contracts for child care slots and how the Lead Agency ensures that parents who enroll with a provider who has a grant or contract have choices when selecting a provider: Under CCCAP, each county has the option of developing slot contracts with licensed child care centers and family child care homes. Two counties are currently approved to offer slot contracts. [ ] No. If no, describe any Lead Agency plans to provide direct child care services through grants and contracts for child care slots: If no, skip to question 4.5.2. i. If yes, identify the populations of children served through grants or contracts for child care slots (check all that apply). For each population selected, identify the number of slots allocated through grants or contracts for direct service of children receiving CCDF. [ ] Children with disabilities. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [x] Infants and toddlers. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: As of 5/13/2024, 3 slots are allocated for children ages 0-36 months who are also engaged in a child welfare program. [ ] Children in underserved geographic areas. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Children needing non-traditional hour care. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] School-age children. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Children experiencing homelessness. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Children in urban areas. Percent of CCDF children served in an average month: [ ] Children in rural areas. Percent of CCDF children served in an average month: [x] Other populations. If checked, describe: As of 5/13/2024, 4 slots are allocated for children ages 36 months to school age that are also engaged in a child welfare program. ii. If yes, how are rates for slots funded by grants and contracts determined by the Lead Agency? Rates are funded through county allocations for slot contracts. 4.5.2 Care in the child’s home (in-home care) The Lead Agency must allow for in-home care (i.e., care provided in the child’s own home) but may limit its use. Will the Lead Agency limit the use of in-home care in any way? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If yes, what limits will the Lead Agency set on the use of in-home care? Check all that apply. i. [ ] Restricted based on the minimum number of children in the care of the in- home provider to meet the Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage) requirements. Describe: ii. [ ] Restricted based on the in-home provider meeting a minimum age requirement. Describe: iii. [ ] Restricted based on the hours of care (i.e., certain number of hours, non- traditional work hours). Describe: iv. [x] Restricted to care by relatives. (A relative provider must be at least 18 years of age based on the definition of eligible child care provider.) Describe: Relative CCCAP Qualified Exempt Providers may be approved to provide care in the child’s home. v. [ ] Restricted to care for children with special needs or a medical condition. Describe: vi. [ ] Restricted to in-home providers that meet additional health and safety requirements beyond those required by CCDF. Describe: vii. [ ] Other. Describe: 4.5.3 Shortages in the supply of child care Lead Agencies must identify shortages in the supply of child care providers that meet parents’ needs and preferences. What child care shortages has the Lead Agency identified in the State or Territory, and what is the plan to address the child care shortages? a. In infant and toddler programs: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Child care licensing data; Colorado population data from the US Census and State Demographer’s Office projections; surveys and reports conducted by other organizations in Colorado. It is important to note that it is currently impossible to measure demand directly in Colorado because there is no reliable, real-time data on demand. CDEC’s licensed capacity data is the most reliable, consistent data that speaks to the breadth of the child care landscape in Colorado. As part of a federally-funded Preschool Development Grant (PDG) effort in 2019, a Needs Assessment was conducted in Colorado that illustrated a shortage of child care options in Colorado, particularly among infants and toddlers. This report indicated that nearly 39,000 more children under 5 would be cared for in licensed care in Colorado if appropriate, affordable licensed child care options were available. It also concluded that only 14% and 16% of infants and toddlers, respectively, in Colorado can be cared for in existing licensed child care. The need for additional child care options in the infant/toddler space was emphasized by the most recent Needs Assessment conducted in 2023, which involved reviewing various surveys and reports in Colorado’s early childhood space as well as new data collection from partner groups. ii. Method of tracking progress: CDEC produces internal annual capacity maps to illustrate the maximum percentage of a county’s estimated child population that could be served by licensed child care providers if optimal conditions are met, with a breakdown for high-quality care. CDEC also reports on the proportion of high-quality providers in the publicly-available licensed child care facilities report on the Colorado Information Marketplace. To address the gaps in infant and toddler care, the Department used $7 million in stimulus funding to shift to enrollment based payment for infants and toddlers in CCCAP, which resulted in cumulative additional 566 children enrolled in this age group. Also, increasing infant and toddler care is one of CDEC's wildly important goals, and progress on increasing infant and toddler capacity is tracked monthly. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes We are incentivizing providers to open and operate early childhood programs through our Emerging and Expanding grant program. Family child care providers may apply to expand their home based programs or to open new sites. Grants are available up to $50,000 and are funded through State and Local Fiscal Recovery funding (SLFRF). Additionally, Colorado funds a position within Early Childhood Councils to support Family Childcare Home providers. The FCCH Navigator role works with providers to provide support and TA in navigating the licensing process, quality process, and supports them with locating grant funding as needed to stand up or expand their program. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? There are two active grant programs within Colorado funded through SLFRF to address child care supply in Colorado. The first is the Emerging and Expanding grant program that supports programs with grants up to $200,000 to build new or expand an existing program. The second grant opportunity is targeted to employers to build or contract for onsite or near site child care for their employees and the community. The Employer-Based Child Care grant program offers grant opportunities up to $800,000 and requires a percentage match. b. In different regions of the State or Territory: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Child care licensing data; Colorado population data from the US Census and State Demographer’s Office projections all at the county level; Surveys and reports conducted by other organizations in Colorado. ii. Method of tracking progress: We produce internal annual capacity maps to illustrate the maximum percentage of a county’s estimated child population that could be served by licensed child care providers if optimal conditions are met, with a breakdown for high-quality care. We also report on the proportion of high- quality providers in our publicly available licensed child care facilities report on the Colorado Information Marketplace. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? CDEC seeks to ensure all families have equitable access to high-quality early care and learning so that all children start school ready to succeed. The activities Colorado is, or has, invested in that are designed to increase the number of licensed programs, improve the quality of licensed programs, ensure equitable access for underserved families, and sustain services by closing the revenue- expenditure gap can be found in the strategies to improve access and quality section of the Investing in Early Childhood website. https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/cdec-stimulus-grant-activity/home iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? CDEC seeks to ensure all families have equitable access to high-quality early care and learning so that all children start school ready to succeed. The activities Colorado is, or has, invested in that are designed to increase the number of licensed programs, improve the quality of licensed programs, ensure equitable access for underserved families, and sustain services by closing the revenue- expenditure gap can be found in the strategies to improve access and quality section of the Investing in Early Childhood website. https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/cdec-stimulus-grant-activity/home c. In care for special populations: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Surveys and focus groups conducted by contracted vendors and the CDEC Needs Assessment. ii. Method of tracking progress: We produce internal annual capacity maps to illustrate the maximum percentage of a county’s estimated child population that could be served by licensed child care providers. We also report monthly on child care capacity across the state and the number of bilingual Spanish child care providers. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? Our most recent Needs Assessment conducted in 2023 synthesized several reports, surveys, and other resources across Colorado and identified additional areas where care shortages may exist. This review concluded that children with special health needs or disabilities in Colorado need more child care options, but the state does not yet collect data to provide actionable insight into where these needs are most pronounced. This assessment also highlighted a need for child care options that accommodate languages other than English and Spanish. These findings will be used to engage with the broader early childhood community across the state to identify areas to focus collective impact in Colorado. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? Our most recent Needs Assessment conducted in 2023 synthesized several reports, surveys, and other resources across Colorado and identified additional areas where care shortages may exist. This review concluded that children with special health needs or disabilities in Colorado need more child care options, but the state does not yet collect data to provide actionable insight into where these needs are most pronounced. This assessment also highlighted a need for child care options that accommodate languages other than English and Spanish. These findings will be used to engage with the broader Early Childhood community of Colorado to identify areas to focus collective impact in Colorado. 4.5.4 Strategies to increase the supply of and improve quality of child care Lead Agencies must develop and implement strategies to increase the supply of and improve the quality of child care services. These strategies must address child care in underserved geographic areas; infants and toddlers; children with disabilities, as defined by the Lead Agency; and children who receive care during non-traditional hours. How does the Lead Agency identify any gaps in the supply and quality of child care services and what strategies are used to address those gaps for: a. Underserved geographic areas. Describe: CDEC contracts with Early Childhood Councils to recruit and retain providers as well as support quality improvement - particularly in underserved areas. Additionally, under the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), each county has the option of developing contracts for slots with licensed child care centers and family child care homes. Contracts for slots serve the purposes of increasing supply, quality and serving vulnerable and underserved families. Tiered reimbursement rates are available to programs participating in CCCAP and Colorado Shines ratings. Higher ratings are awarded with higher CCCAP reimbursement rates. CDEC has two grant funded opportunities to assist in communities with addressing capacity gaps, funded with state and local fiscal recovery funding (SLFRF). The Emerging and Expanding grant program supports providers to expand their programs to create capacity in underserved areas, considered child care deserts. It also supports new programs to open within these areas. Funding from this grant can be used for start-up costs that include capital expenditures. The second grant program is the Employer-Based Child Care program. This grant opportunity is for employers who want to expand options for their employees to have onsite or near site child care options and subsidizes this cost for their employees. Technical Assistance is offered to child care providers by CDEC’s licensing team and Early Childhood Councils, particularly those in underserved areas, rural areas and those with unique challenges. b. Infants and toddlers. Describe: CDEC contracts with Early Childhood Councils to recruit and retain providers as well as support quality improvement statewide, with infant and toddler care as an identified priority area. Additionally, under the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), each county has the option of developing contracts for slots with licensed child care centers and family child care homes. Contracts for slots serve the purposes of increasing supply, quality and serving vulnerable and underserved families. Tiered reimbursements rates are available to programs participating in CCCAP and Colorado Shines ratings. Higher ratings are awarded with higher CCCAP reimbursements rates, including a higher base rate for infant and toddler care. The Emerging and Expanding grant program was established to address capacity shortages across the state, especially in those areas of the state that have been identified as child care deserts. The entire state of Colorado is considered a desert for infant and toddler capacity shortages. This grant prioritizes applications that are expanding infant and toddler capacity. c. Children with disabilities. Describe: CDEC contracts with Early Childhood Councils to recruit and retain providers as well as support quality improvement statewide, which must include serving families with children with disabilities. Additionally, under the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), each county has the option of developing contracts for slots with licensed child care centers and family child care homes. Contracts for slots serve the purpose of increasing supply and quality and serving vulnerable and underserved families. CDEC contracts with the state’s child care resource and referral agencies to provide technical assistance for providers, including those serving children with special needs. In addition, through the Colorado Early Learning: Universal Design & Inclusion Project, https://www.ucdenver.edu/centers/center-for-inclusive-design-and- engineering/community-engagement/pdg CDEC contracts with the Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering at the University of Colorado to provide child care programs with intensive support on adapting materials and environments to ensure early learning is accessible for children with delays and disabilities. These include licensed centers and family child care homes that accept CCCAP and such providers are prioritized for acceptance into the cohort. Over six months, participating providers receive: a training on Inclusion and Universal Design; a training series addressing how to adapt materials and environments to address delays or disabilities in the various domains (i.e. communication, gross motor, etc.); reflection sessions and ongoing coaching to ensure lessons learned are incorporated into the program; a kit with materials and instructions to create low-tech adaptations; and access to a lending library of low-tech assistive technology, materials, and resources. d. Children who receive care during non-traditional hours. Describe: Under the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), each county has the option of developing contracts for slots with licensed child care centers and family child care homes and can select a target population that includes non-traditional care. Contracts for slots serve the purpose of increasing supply and quality and serving vulnerable and underserved families. Counties have the option to set rates for non-traditional care above the State-Established daily rate to address shortages in the supply and availability of this care. e. Other. Specify what population is being focused on to increase supply or improve quality. Describe: 4.5.5 Prioritization of investments in areas of concentrated poverty and unemployment Lead Agencies must prioritize investments for increasing access to high-quality child care and development services for children of families in areas that have significant concentrations of poverty and unemployment and do not currently have sufficient numbers of such programs. Describe how the Lead Agency prioritizes increasing access to high-quality child care and development services for children of families in areas that have significant concentrations of poverty and unemployment and that do not have access to high-quality programs. CDEC uses data that considers high concentrations of poverty and unemployment in areas that lack high-quality child care as a factor to inform the award of quality improvement funds. Information reported from providers is used to formulate a high-needs score. The high-needs score is determined through the calculation of points for program level enrollment data and community-level census data for high-needs categories. Enrollment data is self-reported within the provider’s profile, this information is updated twice annually. Programs report enrollment counts for children receiving tuition support from one or more of the following funding sources: Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, Head Start/Early Head Start, and Colorado’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program. In addition, programs report enrollment counts for children receiving services and support through an individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP). Programs also receive points based on community level scores for the following high needs categories: Census data is uploaded to the Colorado Shines Quality Rating and Improvement System database to inform the community level score for a program. Factors include percentage of child care subsidy enrollments, years of operation, quality rating level (where higher points are assigned to lower quality rating levels), whether a program uses a formal curriculum and /or child assessment approach, staff professional development, and the capacity of the program to expand slots for children receiving child care subsidy. Early Childhood Councils, as the local implementation partner for quality improvement programming, use the high needs score to prioritize applications for quality improvement funds. 5 Health and Safety of Child Care Settings Child care health and safety standards and enforcement practices are essential to protect the health and safety of children while out of their parents’ care. CCDF provides a minimum threshold for child care health and safety policies and practices but leaves authority to Lead Agencies to design standards that appropriately protect children’s safety and promote nurturing environments that support their healthy growth and development. Lead Agencies should set standards for ratios, group size limits, and provider qualifications that help ensure that the child care environment is conducive to safety and learning and enable caregivers to promote all domains of children’s development. CCDF health and safety standards help set clear expectations for CCDF providers, form the foundation for health and safety training for child care workers, and establish the baseline for monitoring to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. These health and safety requirements apply to all providers serving children receiving CCDF services – whether the providers are licensed or license-exempt, must be appropriate to the provider setting and age of the children served, must include specific topics and training on those topics, and are subject to monitoring and enforcement procedures by the Lead Agency. CCDF-required annual monitoring and enforcement actions help ensure that CCDF providers are adopting and implementing health and safety requirements. Through child care licensing, Lead Agencies set minimum requirements, including health and safety requirements, that child care providers must meet to legally operate in that State or Territory. In some cases, CCDF health and safety requirements may be integrated within the licensing system for licensed providers and may be separate for CCDF providers who are license- exempt. This section addresses CCDF health and safety requirements, Lead Agency licensing requirements and exemptions, and comprehensive background checks. When responding to questions in this section, OCC recognizes that each Lead Agency identifies and defines its own categories of care. OCC does not expect Lead Agencies to change their definitions to fit the CCDF-defined categories of care. For these questions, provide responses that best match the CCDF categories of care.