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10 | P a g e FFY 2025–2027 CCDF State Plan

System. Additionally, CCR&Rs serve as regional hubs to support families and the workforce. Using available data and their well-established relationships in their communities, CCR&Rs assist families identify high quality care and will support the workforce in attaining credentials and ongoing training.

Care Solutions, Inc. is responsible for overseeing the DECAL Scholars program, which provides scholarships, stipend payments, and wage supplements to support early childhood educators who are pursuing a degree or credential in early childhood education. Additionally, Care Solutions manages workforce and provider payments for DECAL projects, such as Quality Rated teacher and provider bonuses and training stipends for participants in priority DECAL trainings.

[ ] No. If no, describe: b. Schedule for completing tasks. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: CCR&R and Care Solutions tasks and performance measures are established on an annual basis with each contract renewal. Data from the previous year along with any new agency priorities are reviewed to determine each year’s expectations and tasks. Both contractors are expected to bill for services within 30 days following the month in which services are rendered. Invoices must be itemized in accordance with line items established in the approved budget. Each contractor is expected to submit regular reports outlining activities aligned with contractual obligations and fiscal expenditures. CCR&Rs submit quarterly reports and also engage in monthly action planning sessions with lead agency staff. Care Solutions submits monthly reports and engages in monthly update meetings as required by lead agency staff.

[ ] No. If no, describe: c. Budget which itemizes categorical expenditures in accordance with CCDF requirements. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency engages in a periodic Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify organizations to serve as CCR&Rs in each region. The RFP process establishes baseline budgets in the following categories: Personnel, Regular Operating, Administrative, Travel, Equipment, Facility Costs, Contracts, Telecommunications, and Professional Development. Budgets are reviewed on an annual basis and are adjusted as needed based on any new contractual requirements, review of expenditures from the previous year, audit findings (if appropriate), and increasing costs due to inflation or other factors.

[ ] No. If no, describe: d. Indicators or measures to assess performance of those agencies. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency enters into an annual contract with each of its six regional CCR&Rs. Annual performance measures identified in the contracts are established based on data from the previous year’s work as well as upcoming agency priorities and needs. CCR&Rs work with Lead Agency staff to develop action plans for meeting each performance measure. Quarterly reports must be submitted demonstrating progress toward meeting goals and plans for addressing any roadblocks. The Lead Agency’s internal research team also supports monitoring of CCR&Rs by providing analysis of internal data, such as star ratings and information on licensed providers in the region. This information is provided to CCR&Rs and Lead Agency staff to support