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CAPS Policy – Overview No.: CAPS/00-1 Effective Date: 10/01/2016

Revised: 00/00/0000 Revision Effective: 00/00/0000

CAPS Policy Manual

Page 6 of 109 rating of one, two, or three stars to child care providers that meet a set of defined program standards that go above and beyond minimum health and safety requirements. By participating in Quality Rated, early care and education providers embark on a path of continuous quality improvement. Child care providers who participate in and achieve a Quality Rated designation may be eligible for free technical assistance, teacher and director training, grants to purchase classroom supplies and educational materials, and/or higher CAPS reimbursement rates. o Parents and families can find Quality Rated child care programs at www.qualityrated.org. o Child care programs may apply to participate at https://qualityrated.decal.ga.gov/. o For additional information about Quality Rated, refer to the Program Manual at https://qualityrated.decal.ga.gov/Content/Documents/PM_ProgramManual.pdf.

• Summer Transition Program (STP) Summer Transition Program is a six-week program during the months of June and July that offers high-quality instruction in language, literacy, and math for children from families with low incomes whose children have attended or are eligible to attend GA Pre-K and need additional supports. The program is designed to reduce the achievement gap by providing additional support and resources to targeted high needs populations. For additional information regarding STP, visit http://www.decal.ga.gov/Prek/SummerTransitionProgram.aspx.

Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS)

1.2.1 Description and Goals The Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program is Georgia’s subsidized child care program administered by DECAL. CAPS assists low-income families with the cost of child care in order to support Georgia’s school readiness goals. CAPS is available in all 159 counties within Georgia.

1.2.2 Funding Source Child care services provided through the CAPS program are funded by a combination of state funds and the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) under the administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the Office of Child Care (OCC). Authorized by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act and Section 418 of the Social Security Act, the CCDF assists low-income families in obtaining child care so they can work or attend training/education.

1.2.3 Compliance with Federal Regulations As the lead agency, DECAL is responsible for implementing a state plan that is compliant with federal regulations associated with CCDF. The CCDF State Plan serves as the agreement between DECAL, ACF, and OCC as to how programs are administered to comply with federal regulations; as well as technical bulletins that are issued by ACF. Unless contrary to a federal law or regulation, DECAL has sole discretion on how the CAPS program is operated and how subsidy funding is allocated in Georgia. At any time, DECAL can make adjustments to CAPS program policies, procedures and funding allocations. • The purposes of the CCDF as defined in the CCDBG Act sec. 658A are to: o Allow each state maximum flexibility in developing child care providers and policies that best suit the needs of children and parents within the state; o Promote parental choice to empower working parents to make their own decisions regarding the child care services that best suits their family's needs; o Encourage states to provide consumer education information to help parents make informed choices about child care services and to promote the involvement by parents and family members in the development of their children in child care settings; o Assist states in delivering high-quality, coordinated early childhood care and education services to maximize parents’ options and support parents trying to achieve independence from public assistance; o Assist states in improving the overall quality of child care services and programs by implementing the health, safety, licensing, training, and oversight standards in state law, including state regulations; o Improve child care and development of participating children; and