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? [x] 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: The DEL makes contracted slots available to all ELCs. Contracted slots may be used to address capacity issues such as child care deserts, infant/toddler care availability, and care during nontraditional hours. To ensure contacted slots are used for each of the three targeted population groups, the DEL will submit a waiver for additional time to thoughtfully and strategically update legislative language in coordination and collaboration with elected members of the Florida Legislature, stakeholders and leadership to ensure the revised statute sufficiently addresses the changes while considering impacts, if any, to parents, providers, Early Learning Coalitions and other stakeholder Information on parental choice is made widely available to parents through the DEL website and consumer education materials provided by the ELCs and DEL. Further, when parents become eligible for SR, they must sign a Terms and Conditions agreement that acknowledges their rights to choose from a variety of child care categories pursuant to 45 CFR 98.30. Parents are not limited to selecting providers that receive contracted slots; those that choose to utilize services with ELCs implementing contracted slots have access to the full range of child care services available. [ ] 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: [ ] 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. [x] Children with disabilities. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: Contracted Slots are made available to ELCs as needed. To ensure contacted slots are used for each of the three targeted population groups, the DEL will submit a waiver for additional time to thoughtfully and strategically update legislative language in coordination and collaboration with elected members of the Florida Legislature, stakeholders and leadership to ensure the revised statute sufficiently addresses the changes while considering impacts, if any, to parents, providers, Early Learning Coalitions and other stakeholders. [x] Infants and toddlers. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: Contracted Slots are made available to ELCs as needed. To ensure contacted slots are used for each of the three targeted population groups, the DEL will submit a waiver for additional time to thoughtfully and strategically update legislative language in coordination and collaboration with elected members of the Florida Legislature, stakeholders and leadership to ensure the revised statute sufficiently addresses the changes while considering impacts, if any, to parents, providers, Early Learning Coalitions and other stakeholders. [x] Children in underserved geographic areas. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: Contracted Slots are made available to ELCs as needed. To ensure contacted slots are used for each of the three targeted population groups, the DEL will submit a waiver for additional time to thoughtfully and strategically update legislative language in coordination and collaboration with elected members of the Florida Legislature, stakeholders and leadership to ensure the revised statute sufficiently addresses the changes while considering impacts, if any, to parents, providers, Early Learning Coalitions and other stakeholders. [x] Children needing non-traditional hour care. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: Contracted Slots are made available to ELCs as needed. [x] School-age children. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: Contracted Slots are made available to ELCs as needed. [x] Children experiencing homelessness. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: Contracted Slots are made available to ELCs as needed. [x] Children in urban areas. Percent of CCDF children served in an average month: Contracted Slots are made available to ELCs as needed. [x] Children in rural areas. Percent of CCDF children served in an average month: Contracted Slots are made available to ELCs as needed. [ ] Other populations. If checked, describe: ii. If yes, how are rates for slots funded by grants and contracts determined by the Lead Agency? If a coalition participates in the Contracted Slots Program and the coalition determines a provider is eligible for the program in accordance with Rule 6M-4.610, F.A.C., then the coalition may reimburse the provider a differential up to 10 percent above the coalition reimbursement rate for each care level. 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. [x] Restricted based on the in-home provider meeting a minimum age requirement. Describe: In-home care providers must meet the same requirements as family day care homes. Operators must be 18 years of age or older. iii. [ ] Restricted based on the hours of care (i.e., certain number of hours, non- traditional work hours). Describe: iv. [ ] 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: 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. [x] Other. Describe: Informal child care providers are restricted to providing care to eligible children from only one family who are, by marriage, blood relationship, or court decree, the grandchild, great grandchild, sibling (if such provider lives in a separate residence), niece, or nephew of such provider, and complies with any applicable requirements that govern child care provided by the relative involved. ELCs ensure a Level 2 background screening is completed for these providers. Informal child care reimbursement rates are established at no more than one-half the legally operating family day care home rate per child. Informal providers must complete an annual health and safety checklist, which must be posted on premises in a conspicuous location and submitted to the ELC. Informal providers are also required to have either liability insurance or maintain a homeowner’s insurance policy that provides a minimum of $100,000 of coverage per occurrence and a minimum of $300,000 general aggregate coverage. 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: The Sunshine Portal was created in partnership with the DEL and the University of Florida Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies (UF AZCEECS). It can be found at Sunshine Portal | Anita Zucker Center (ufl.edu). The portal provides extensive data and analysis to track local and statewide levels of capacity, quality, and parent choice in infant and toddler programs. DEL’s Sunshine Portal contains the Florida Index of Child Care Access (FLICCA, version 4.2), an interactive mapping tool that allows users to view levels of access to quality child care for families enrolled in the Florida SR Program. UF AZCEECS regularly meets with ELCs to identify shortages and discuss potential policy changes to address gaps in services. This tool is updated annually. ELCs use this information annually to complete their community needs assessment. ii. Method of tracking progress: DEL meets with UF AZCEECS monthly and continues to use The Sunshine Portal to identify areas where there are child care deserts and work with the coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage high-quality child care programs open to serve the population. The portal is updated annually and aggregated by fiscal years to compare data, track progress and identify trends. DEL participates in joint meeting with ELCs and UF AZCEECS to identify shortages and discuss potential policy changes to address gaps in services. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes The Sunshine Portal was created in partnership with the UF AZCEECS. The portal provides extensive data and analysis to track local and statewide levels of capacity, quality, and parent choice in family child care homes. DEL’s Sunshine Portal contains the Florida Index of Child Care Access (FLICCA, version 4.2), an interactive mapping tool that allows users to view levels of access to quality child care for families enrolled in the Florida SR Program. UF AZCEECS regularly meets with ELCs to identify shortages and discuss potential policy changes to address gaps in services. This tool is updated annually. ELCs use this information annually to complete their community needs assessment. The DEL works closely with the UF AZCEECS and local ELCs to determine the best strategies to address identified shortages and recruit family child care homes. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? The Sunshine Portal was created in partnership with the UF AZCEECS. The portal provides extensive data and analysis to track local and statewide levels of capacity, quality, and parent choice in child care centers. DEL’s Sunshine Portal contains the Florida Index of Child Care Access (FLICCA, version 4.2), an interactive mapping tool that allows users to view levels of access to quality child care for families enrolled in the Florida SR Program. UF AZCEECS regularly meets with ELCs to identify shortages and discuss potential policy changes to address gaps in services. This tool is updated annually. ELCs use this information annually to complete their community needs assessment. The DEL works closely with the UF AZCEECS and local ELCs to determine the best strategies to address identified shortages and recruit family child care homes. b. In different regions of the State or Territory: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Sunshine Portal ii. Method of tracking progress: DEL meets with UF AZCEECS monthly and continues to use The Sunshine Portal to identify areas where there are child care deserts and work with the coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage high-quality child care programs open to serve the population. The portal is updated annually and aggregated by fiscal years to compare data, track progress and identify trends. DEL participates in joint meeting with ELCs and UF AZCEECS to identify shortages and discuss potential policy changes to address gaps in services. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? Using information from the Sunshine Portal, DEL will provide ELCs with targeted technical assistance and identify various strategies to address shortages. ELCs are able to utilize various strategies to recruit providers, including the use of contracted slots, grants and leveraging community partnerships. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? Using information from the Sunshine Portal, DEL will provide ELCs with targeted technical assistance and identify various strategies to address shortages. ELCs are able to utilize various strategies to recruit providers, including the use of contracted slots, grants and leveraging community partnerships. c. In care for special populations: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Sunshine Portal ii. Method of tracking progress: DEL meets with UF AZCEECS monthly and continues to use The Sunshine Portal to identify areas where there are child care deserts and work with the coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage high-quality child care programs open to serve the population. The portal is updated annually and aggregated by fiscal years to compare data, track progress and identify trends. DEL participates in joint meeting with ELCs and UF AZCEECS to identify shortages and discuss potential policy changes to address gaps in service. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? Using information from the Sunshine Portal, DEL will provide ELCs with targeted technical assistance and identify various strategies to address shortages. ELCs have flexibility with local match funding and quality dollars to address shortages in services and utilize various strategies to recruit providers, including the use of contracted slots, grants and leveraging community partnerships. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? Using information from the Sunshine Portal, DEL will provide ELCs with targeted technical assistance and identify various strategies to address shortages. ELCs have flexibility with local match funding and quality dollars to address shortages in services and utilize various strategies to recruit providers, including the use of contracted slots, grants and leveraging community partnerships. Using information from the Sunshine Portal, DEL will provide ELCs with targeted technical assistance and identify various strategies to address shortages. ELCs have flexibility with local match funding and quality dollars to address shortages in services and utilize various strategies to recruit providers, including the use of contracted slots, grants and leveraging community partnerships. 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: DEL will continue to use The Sunshine Portal to identify areas where there are gaps and work with the coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage high-quality child care programs open to serve the population. Based on s. 1002.82(m), F.S., to build supply to increase the availability of child care capacity, ELCs work with eligible local providers to establish contracted slots available for SR children based on the latest community needs assessment conducted and current census data identifying poverty area tracts. Local ELCs develop their own internal policies and procedures, which are approved by the DEL. The DEL will continuously work with local ELCs to support providers’ awareness of contracted slots and monitor data provided through the Enhanced Field System Modernization (EFS Mod), a portal for provider services and data. Using this data, DEL will analyze the use of this program and work directly with ELCs that have low participation to develop strategies to strengthen provider implementation. b. Infants and toddlers. Describe: DEL will continue to use The Sunshine Portal to identify areas where there are gaps and work with the coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage high-quality child care programs open to serve the population. Based on s. 1002.82(m), F.S., to build supply to increase the availability of child care capacity, ELCs work with eligible local providers to establish contracted slots available for SR children based on the latest community needs assessment conducted and current census data identifying poverty area tracts. Local ELCs develop their own internal policies and procedures, which are approved by the DEL. The DEL will continuously work with local ELCs to support providers’ awareness of contracted slots and monitor data provided through the Enhanced Field System Modernization (EFS Mod), a portal for provider services and data. Using this data, DEL will analyze the use of this program and work directly with ELCs that have low participation to develop strategies to strengthen provider implementation. c. Children with disabilities. Describe: DEL will continue to use The Sunshine Portal to identify areas where there are gaps and work with the coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage high-quality child care programs open to serve the population. Based on s. 1002.82(m), F.S., to build supply to increase the availability of child care capacity, ELCs work with eligible local providers to establish contracted slots available for SR children based on the latest community needs assessment conducted and current census data identifying poverty area tracts. Local ELCs develop their own internal policies and procedures, which are approved by the DEL. Additionally, a special needs rate may be negotiated up to 20 percent above the infant payment rate. This rate differential is locally determined and helps ensure that providers who accept children with special needs are able to make the appropriate modifications necessary to meet each child's unique circumstances. To justify this rate, a provider must show that they are providing care above and beyond ADA requirements for child care facilities. The DEL will continuously work with local ELCs to support providers’ awareness of contracted slots and monitor data provided through the Enhanced Field System Modernization (EFS Mod), a portal for provider services and data. Using this data, DEL will analyze the use of this program and work directly with ELCs that have low participation to develop strategies to strengthen provider implementation. d. Children who receive care during non-traditional hours. Describe: DEL will continue to use The Sunshine Portal to identify areas where there are gaps and work with the coalitions and other stakeholders to encourage high-quality child care programs open to serve the population. Based on s. 1002.82(m), F.S., to build supply to increase the availability of child care capacity, ELCs work with eligible local providers to establish contracted slots available for SR children based on the latest community needs assessment conducted and current census data identifying poverty area tracts. Local ELCs develop their own internal policies and procedures, which are approved by the DEL. The DEL will continuously work with local ELCs to support providers’ awareness of contracted slots and monitor data provided through the Enhanced Field System Modernization (EFS Mod), a portal for provider services and data. Using this data, DEL will analyze the use of this program and work directly with ELCs that have low participation to develop strategies to strengthen provider implementation. 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. The DEL works closely with Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and ￿early Head Start - Child Care Partnerships grantees to coordinate services and to assure families in targeted low- income areas have more access to quality child care settings. For example, families are referred by CCR&R to other programs. DEL's Sunshine Portal provides a comprehensive and up-to-date view of the early childhood mixed delivery system, where information is updated monthly and linked at the child-level. Data and visualizations are presented at the community level and include information on child and household risk factors, child and household resilience factors, service access, and child and family outcomes. Using geospatial analyses, the research results are presented as interactive maps that show trends across space and time. A major component in the Sunshine Portal is the FLICCA, which utilizes available quality indicators, parental choice (selection), capacity, and infrastructure to provide information used by policymakers to identify the types of interventions necessary for increasing access to high-quality care in a zip code for families. 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.