1.3 Consultation in the Development of the CCDF Plan

The Lead Agency is responsible for developing the CCDF Plan, and consultation with and meaningful input and feedback from a wide range of representatives is critical for CCDF programs to continually adapt to the changing needs of families, child care programs, and the workforce. Consultation involves meeting with or otherwise obtaining input from an appropriate agency in the development of the State or Territory CCDF Plan. As part of the Plan development process, Lead Agencies must consult with the following: (1) Appropriate representatives of general-purpose local government. General purpose local governments are defined by the U.S. Census at https://www2.census.gov/govs/cog/g12_org.pdf. (2) The State Advisory Council (SAC) on Early Childhood Education and Care (pursuant to 642B(b)(I)(A)(i) of the Head Start Act) or similar coordinating body pursuant to 98.14(a)(1)(vii). (3) Tribe(s) or Tribal organization(s) within the State. This consultation should be done in a timely manner and at the option of the Tribe(s) or Tribal organization(s). 1.3.1 Consultation efforts in CCDF Plan development Describe the Lead Agency’s consultation efforts in the development of the CCDF Plan, including how and how often the consultation occurred. a. Describe how the Lead Agency consulted with appropriate representatives of general- purpose local government: The Lead Agency consults with general-purpose local government through a variety of ways. First, the Division of Child Care (DCC) consults with general-purpose local government through it's participation in the Kentucky Regional Collaborative Network, formerly known as the Community Early Childhood Councils (CECCs). DCC also consults with the Family Child Care Network of Kentucky. The Family Child Care Network of Kentucky is comprised of an experienced and devoted group of Family Child Care Specialists who have been selected to visit and work with providers in their home (place of business). Regional Child Care Administrators through the Kentucky Child Care Aware Network of Services also solicit feedback from local government entities within their assigned regions and share this input back with the Lead Agency through established structures for communication and information sharing. The Family Child Care Network has compiled a list of all zoning requirements and fees across the state related to in-home family child care providers. This information has been provided to Kentucky's legislative body. During the 2024 General Session, House Bill (HB) 561 which requires the Cabinet for Economic Development to establish a Certified Child Care Communities Designation Program. The Lead Agency will focus on how to better engage local governments by establishing relationships with the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) and the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACO). a. Describe how the Lead Agency consulted with the State Advisory Council or similar coordinating body: Per KRS 200.700, the Kentucky State Child Care Administrator is a statutorily mandated, voting member of the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC), as is the CHFS Secretary. The ECAC meets at least quarterly and at other times upon call of the chair or majority of the council. The ECAC is charged with making recommendations to Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). Members of the ECAC were asked to serve on a stakeholder group that offered feedback prior to the development of the CCDF plan. Other selected members of the ECAC were asked to participate in work groups that created the new draft of the state plan. All ECAC members received a personal invitation to the public hearing of the CCDF plan, and feedback generated from the public hearing will be incorporated into the final draft of the plan. Kentucky also has a Child Care Advisory Council (CCAC). This council is consulted for continuous feedback during its quarterly meetings. Additionally, council members were asked to serve on the stakeholder group. Citation: (https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=53316) KRS 199.8983 Kentucky Child Care Advisory Council Citation: (https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=42145) KRS 200.707 Community early childhood councils Citation: (http://web.sos.ky.gov/execjournalimages/2018-MISC-2018-0581-256431.pdf) EO 2018-0581 Executive order relating to the reorganization of various education boards & councils b. Describe, if applicable, how the Lead Agency consulted with Indian Tribes(s) or Tribal organizations(s) within the State: N/A c. Identify other entities, agencies, or organizations consulted on the development of the CCDF Plan (e.g., representatives from the child care workforce, or statewide afterschool networks) and describe those consultation efforts: The CCDF State Plan preliminary draft goes through multiple opportunities for review and revisions. The process includes an internal review, a recommendation and comment period for fellow state agencies and departments involved in the development of the state plan, and a 30-day public comment period for public and private entities to submit written comments and attend a public hearing regarding the CCDF State Plan. The state plan draft is posted on the Lead Agency’s website and is circulated for feedback through the advisory councils. Web Link: (https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc) Division of Child Care The following list of agencies and partnerships on the CCDF State Plan is not all inclusive: Office of the Inspector General, Department for Public Health, State Coordinator for Homelessness, Division of Family Support, Department for Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Kentucky Child Care Aware Child Care Resource and Referral Network of Services, Department of Workforce Development, Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Head Start and Early Head Start grantees, Kentucky Head Start Association, Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, Kentucky Youth Advocates, Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, United Way of Kentucky, Save the Children, Learning Grove, Child Care Advocates of Kentucky. 1.3.2 Public hearing process Lead Agencies must hold at least one public hearing in the State or Territory, with sufficient Statewide or Territory-wide distribution of notice prior to such a hearing to enable the public to comment on the provision of child care services under the CCDF Plan. Describe the Statewide or Territory-wide public hearing process held to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the provision of child care services under this Plan. i. Date of the public hearing: 6/27/2024 Reminder: Must be no earlier than January 1, 2024. If more than one public hearing was held, enter one date (e.g., the date of the first hearing, the most recent hearing date, or any hearing date that demonstrates this requirement). ii. Date of notice of public hearing: 6/7/2024 iii. Was the notice of public hearing posted publicly at least 20 calendar days prior to the date of the public hearing? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: iv. Describe how the public was notified about the public hearing, including outreach in other languages, information on interpretation services being available, etc. Include specific website links if used to provide noticeStatewide child care provider listserv, DCBS social media pages, Child Care Aware of Kentucky social media pages, DCC website, advisory council meetings, and posting the CCDF State Plan draft of the website for public comment review. Web Link: (https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc) Division of Child Care The Legislative Research Commission posts a calendar of standing and interim committee meetings, as well as a daily calendar, accessible from the main site. Web Link: (https://legislature.ky.gov/Schedules-Calendars/Pages/default.aspx) Kentucky General Assembly Schedules & Calendars - Legislative Research Commission v. Describe how the approach to the public hearing was inclusive of all geographic regions of the State or Territory: The public hearing was conducted through a Zoom meeting. The link was sent out in advance of the meeting so that all child care providers and agencies had the opportunity to attend if desired. vi. Describe how the content of the Plan was made available to the public in advance of the public hearing (e.g., the Plan was made available in other languages, in multiple formats, etc.): The preliminary plan is submitted in hardcopy to the Legislative Research Commission and made available through the Internet and email distribution. The Kentucky Legislature makes an effort to ensure the pages of their website are accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Additionally, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has adopted the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 Conformance Level Double-A. The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides, upon request, reasonable accommodations, including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities. To request materials in an alternative format, each agency's website provides information for contacting the person or persons responsible for providing the service within the agency. Persons with hearing and speech impairments can contact each agency by using the Kentucky Relay Service, a toll-free telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD). For voice to TDD, call 800-648-6057. For TDD to voice, call 800-648-6056. Citation: Accessibility - Legislative Research Commission. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services also has a Language Access Section (LAS) within the Office of Human Resources Management that can translate documents into various languages. vii. Describe how the information provided by the public was taken into consideration regarding the provision of child care services under this Plan: Public comments received through public hearing(s), stakeholder meetings, and written submissions are recorded and reviewed for consideration. Amendments to the drafted content were made as a result of public comment when appropriate. The Kentucky Out of School Alliance (KYOSA) provided several comments to the draft plan. The Lead Agency incorporated more out of school time (OST) language to ensure all early childhood education perspectives were included. The Lead Agency also facilitates several meetings and provides a space for advocates to share information about what is happening in their respective roles. 1.3.3 Public availability of final Plan, amendments, and waivers Lead Agencies must make the submitted and approved final Plan, any approved Plan amendments, and any approved requests for temporary waivers publicly available on a website. a. Provide the website link to where the Plan, any Plan amendments, and waivers (if applicable) are available. Note: A Plan amendment is required if the website address where the Plan is posted changes. https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc/Pages/default.aspx b. Describe any other strategies that the Lead Agency uses to make submitted and approved CCDF Plan and approved Plan amendments available to the public. Check all that apply and describe the strategies below, including any relevant website links as examples. i. [x] Working with advisory committees. Describe: KRS 200.700 states the Kentucky State Child Care administrator is a statutorily mandated voting member of the Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC), as is the CHFS Secretary. The ECAC meets at least quarterly and at other times upon call of the chair or majority of the council. The ECAC is charged with making recommendations to CHFS. The State Administrator provided ECAC members with a link to the draft of the state plan prior to the public hearing, invited them to attend the public hearing, and solicited their feedback. The link to review the state plan draft will also be sent to CCAC members for feedback. Citation: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=52409 ii. [x] Working with child care resource and referral agencies. Describe: The Lead Agency contracts with the University of Kentucky for Child Care Aware Network of Services, which works in coordination on the development of the CCDF State Plan. Child Care Aware of Kentucky also shares any information the Lead Agency releases via various social media platforms. Child Care Aware of Kentucky also catalogs all DCC List Serv messages on their website that providers may access at any time. https://www.childcareawareky.org/category/dcc-listserv/ iii. [ ] Providing translation in other languages. Describe: iv. [x] Sharing through social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, email). Describe: The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services and Child Care Aware of Kentucky social media accounts will be utilized to advertise the public hearing. v. [x] Providing notification to key constituents (e.g., parent and family groups, provider groups, advocacy groups, foundations, and businesses). Describe: Kentucky’s State Plan is posted on the Division of Child Care’s website and filed with the Legislative Research Commission, which coordinates opportunities for public hearing(s) in accordance with Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) Chapter 45. Notices to stakeholder groups are also made via the Lead Agency’s listserv. vi. [x] Working with Statewide afterschool networks or similar coordinating entities for out-of-school time. Describe: Kentucky Out of School Alliance (KYOSA) is a member of the Child Care Advisory Council and was in attendance when the state plan was discussed. vii. [x] Direct communication with the child care workforce. Describe: A DCC listserv message was sent to all active providers and partners on Friday, June 7, 2024 notifying them that a draft of the State Plan was available for review on the DCC Website and that a public hearing would be held via Zoom on Thursday, June 27, 2024. viii. [ ] Other. Describe: 2 Child and Family Eligibility and Enrollment and Continuity of Care Stable and reliable child care arrangements facilitate job stability for parents and healthy development of children. CCDF eligibility and enrollment policies can contribute to these goals. Policies and procedures that create barriers to families accessing CCDF, like inaccessible subsidy applications and onerous reporting requirements, interrupt a parent’s ability to work and may deter eligible families from participating in CCDF. To address these concerns, Lead Agencies must provide children with a minimum of 12 months between eligibility determinations, limit reporting requirements during the 12-month period, and ensure eligibility determination and redetermination processes do not interrupt a parent’s work or school. In this section, Lead Agencies will identify how they define eligible children and families and how the Lead Agency’s eligibility and enrollment policies support access for eligible children and families.