8.3 Coordination with Child Care Resource and Referral Systems

Lead Agencies may use CCDF funds to establish or support a system or network of local or regional child care resource and referral (CCR&R) organizations that is coordinated, to the extent determined by the Lead Agency, by a statewide public or private non-profit, community-based or regionally based, lead child care resource and referral organization (such as a statewide CCR&R network). If Lead Agencies use CCDF funds for local CCR&R organizations, the local or regional CCR&R organizations supported by those funds must, at the direction of the Lead Agency: • Provide parents in the State with consumer education information concerning the full range of child care options (including faith-based and community-based child care providers), analyzed by provider, including child care provided during non-traditional hours and through emergency child care centers, in their area. • To the extent practicable, work directly with families who receive assistance to offer the families support and assistance to make an informed decision about which child care providers they will use to ensure that the families are enrolling their children in the most appropriate child care setting that suits their needs and one that is of high quality (as determined by the Lead Agency). • Collect data and provide information on the coordination of services and supports, including services under Part B, Section 619 and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. • Collect data and provide information on the supply of and demand for child care services in areas of the State and submit the information to the Lead Agency. • Work to establish partnerships with public agencies and private entities, including faith- based and community-based child care providers, to increase the supply and quality of child care services in the State and, as appropriate, coordinate their activities with the activities of the Lead Agency and local agencies that administer funds made available through CCDF. 8.3.1 Funding a system or network of CCR&R organization(s) Does the Lead Agency fund a system or network of local or regional CCR&R organization(s)? [ ] No. The Lead Agency does not fund a system or network of local or regional CCR&R organization(s) and has no plans to establish one. [ ] No, but the Lead Agency has plans to develop a system or network of local or regional CCR&R organization(s). [x] Yes. The Lead Agency funds a system or network of local or regional CCR&R organization(s) with all the responsibilities outlined above. If yes, describe the activities outlined above carried out by the CCR&R organization(s), as directed by the Lead Agency: CCR&R services are provided statewide through a contract with the University of Idaho (UIdaho), which employs staff and/or contracts with other agencies to carry out the CCR&R scope of work. The scope of work for the CCR&R offices includes: (1) Working directly with families who receive child care assistance to offer the families support and assistance in making an informed decision about child care options to ensure families are enrolling their children in the most appropriate child care setting to suit their needs and that is of high quality as determined by IdahoSTARS. IdahoSTARS does this by discussing options for childcare with parents and sending resources to parents with referral information. These resources include when applicable, breastfeeding and safe sleep information, what to look for when searching for care, questions to ask providers, crying baby plan, developmental screening, act early information, keeping children safe abuse and neglect information, and guidelines for human milk storage. IdahoSTARS offers standard, customized, and enhanced referrals. (2) Collecting data and providing information on the coordination of services and supports including services provided through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) for children with disabilities; (3) Collecting data from referrals though follow up surveys. When unmet needs are reported, this information gets documented in the RISE Application. (4) Engaging in services to increase the supply and quality of child care services in the state through business practice training and coaching to improve sustainability and quality; (5) working with other agencies through community events and partnerships to identify and support work around expanding childcare access and as appropriate, coordinating their activities with the activities of the lead agency and/or local agencies that administer Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF); (6) Reviewing rates and contacting a minimum of 250 providers annually whose data stands out as outliers, working with the provider to correct any discrepancies for market rate quality assurance, and encouraging and assisting providers in updating their Provider Information Report; For such contracts as UIdaho, the State monitors administrative implementation and responsibilities through the Division of Welfare's Contracts and External Resource Management (CERM) team. CERM evaluated and ensures that the standards, techniques, and criteria identified in the scope of work are consistent and timely.