7.2 Use of Quality Set-Aside Funds

Lead Agencies must use a portion of their CCDF expenditures for activities designed to improve the quality of child care services and to increase parental options for and access to high-quality child care. They must use the quality set-aside funds on at least one of 10 activities described in CCDF and the quality activities must be aligned with a Statewide or Territory-wide assessment of the State's or Territory’s need to carry out such services and care. 7.2.1 Quality improvement activities a. Describe how the Lead Agency will make its Quality Progress Report (ACF – 218) and expenditure reports, available to the public. Provide a link if available. The Division of Child Care provides a link to both the QPR and ACF-696 on the Division of Child Care website. https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc/Documents/acf2182023.pdf https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc/Documents/acf6962023.pdf https://kynect.ky.gov/benefits/s/child-care-provider?origin=program- page&language=en_US b. Identify Lead Agency plans, if any, to spend CCDF funds for each of the following quality improvement activities. If an activity is checked “yes”, describe the Lead Agency’s current and/or future plans for this activity. i. Supporting the training and professional development of the child care workforce, including birth to five and school-age providers. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Kentucky uses CCDF funding for contracts with the University of Kentucky’s Child Care Aware (CCA) and the Family Child Care Network (FCCN) to provide technical assistance (TA) around health and safety, as well as quality care which promotes School Readiness. This includes trainings, onsite evaluations, etc. ii. Developing, maintaining, or implementing early learning and developmental guidelines. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. The Lead Agency uses quality funds to maintain and implements the Early Learning and Development through our contracts with Child Care Aware (CCA), and the Family Child Care Network (FCCN). Due to an incalculable variety of barriers depending on region, location, provider type etc., CCA and FCCN develop onsite Technical Assistance Plans tailored for child care providers that align with Kentucky’s Early Learning Standards, covering health and physical well-being, language and communication development, Social and emotional development, and Cognitive and general knowledge. They also cover practices around Strong Partnerships with Families and Communities. Child Care Aware also works with training agencies to ensure trainings provided by Kentucky’s credentialed trainers align with Kentucky’s Early Learning Standards. iii. Developing, implementing, or enhancing a quality improvement system. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Kentucky All STARS is Kentucky’s Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS). We are continuing to implement the system which includes 12 All STARS staff and a supervisor, as well as over 50 additional employees via contracted sub-recipients (CCDF Funding) who provide TA to providers across the state. Current plans for a future investment are to update two of our Environmental Rating Scales (ERS). We are moving from the Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale Revised edition (ITERS-R) to the third edition (ITERS-3). Additionally, we are moving from the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale Revised Edition (FCCERS-R) to Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale Third Edition (FCCERS-3). This change includes providing the appropriate TA to child care centers around these scales. The indicators and scores from these scales not only help towards higher quality but also school readiness. Currently, Kentucky All STARS is utilizing the Government Aliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Tool around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to identify areas of improvement. One area we’re looking into is the rotation of our Kentucky All STARS Raters and their TA Specialist who ensure their reliable on the Environmental Rating Scales. This will allow for our staff to have a fuller understanding of different regions barriers and therefore be better able to assist in those regions. iv. Improving the supply and quality of child care services for infants and toddlers. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. We are transitioning from the Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale Revised edition (ITERS-R) to the third edition (ITERS-3). The ITERS-3 is a major revision that introduces innovations in both content and administration of the scale, while still retaining continuity of the two primary characteristics of the ITERS its global definition of quality and its reliance on observation as the primary source of information on which to base assessment of classroom quality. All work, scores, and TA provided to providers from this scale helps to promote school readiness. The Lead Agency uses the quality funds to support the supply and demand of the 1,749 providers who are in Kentucky All STARS serving infants and toddlers. Additionally, quality funds are used to support serves provided by the Quality Coordinators that help to ensure childcare practices are consistent and in compliance with all regulations. The Lead Agency also uses the 3% infant-toddler set-aside funding is also used to support the services provided by the Child Care Aware Quality Coaches. Child Care Aware Quality Coaches provide targeted technical assistance and support to assist programs to increase quality practices including: • Kentucky Child Care standards review. • Self-assessments • Targeted Technical Assistance Plans on topics requested by the program to increase quality care including: o Developmentally appropriate materials. o Room arrangement strategies. o Positive interactions. o Age group specific needs. o Family supports and engagement. o Implementing Screening. o Continuous Assessment. o Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum. o Additional director identified program needs. v. Establishing or expanding a statewide system of CCR&R services. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Through the use of CCDF Funds Kentucky has contracts with two sub-recipient groups who provide TA around Health and Safety, and Quality Improvement. These groups are the Family Child Care Network (FCCN) and Child Care Aware (CCA). In the past, technical assistance was solely provided in Kentucky by CCA, however, we’ve dedicated more funding to bring on FCCN who will focus only on Family Child Care homes and Type II Licensed Providers. Contracting both FCCN and CCA gives all provider types a more focused and specialized TA around school readiness. In addition to targeted technical assistance, CCA of Kentucky provides the following services: • Online Learning via The HDI Online Learning Center. • Support providers in upgrading their education via the Early Childhood Development and KHEAA Scholarships. • Guide candidates through the Kentucky Trainer's Credential application and renewal processes. • Conduct required initial coursework for the Kentucky Trainer's Credential in addition to renewal coursework options. • Assist families in choosing childcare via Child Care Referral line and dissemination of consumer education materials. • Conduct a tri-annual market rate survey to assist in determining childcare reimbursement rates. • Conduct Getting Started in Child Care sessions with prospective childcare owners. vi. Facilitating compliance with Lead Agency child care licensing, monitoring, inspection and health and safety standards. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x]Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Through the use of CCDF Funds Kentucky has contracts with two sub-recipient groups who provide TA around Health and Safety, and Quality Improvement. These groups are the Family Child Care Network (FCCN) and Child Care Aware (CCA). In the past, technical assistance was solely provided in Kentucky by CCA, however, we’ve dedicated more funding to bring on FCCN who will focus only on Family Child Care homes and Type II Licensed Providers. Contracting both FCCN and CCA gives all provider types a more focused and specialized TA around school readiness. • Multi-modal ongoing regulatory support to child care providers. • Consumer ed resources to community members and partners regarding child care licensing standards. • Facilitate mock inspections in preparation for official licensing inspection, which includes premises, staff files, and children's files. • Provide TA on corrective action plans for deficiencies identified in official inspection. • Facilitate consultation for those interested in starting child care business to discuss regulations and assist in navigating the licensure process. • Provide TA on initial levels of KY All Stars and discuss connections in basic regulatory standards and higher quality rating. • Facilitate required training to centers to address targeted needs following instances of compromised health, safety, and/or comfort. • Create and maintain webpage of free printable/downloadable resources to assist in compliance. • Collaborate with and refer providers to local emergency management agencies for assistance with emergency response (shelter in place, lockdown, active shooter, fire, tornado, earthquake). • Collaborate with and refer providers to Early Childhood Mental Health Specialists for targeted supports. • Collaborate with and refer providers to Child Care Health Consultants for medical expertise to meet needs that overlap with child care regulations. • Provide TA on searching KY database for training to meet requirements for licensure and targeted needs. Referrals for Technical Assistance (TA) are shared with Health and Safety Coaches if the child care provider grants DRCC permission to refer. (This is for general TA. Referrals are automatic with DPOCs.) CCA HSCs primary role is providing ongoing support to potential and current child care providers with regard to establishing and maintaining licensing compliance. vii. Evaluating and assessing the quality and effectiveness of child care services within the State/Territory. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Currently Kentucky All STARS assess quality and through our four Environmental Rating Scales (ERS): Infant Toddler, Early Child Care, School-Age, and Family Child Care. This includes providing the appropriate TA to child care centers around these scales and using the scores to promote school readiness. There's been internally discussions about conducting a global evaluation and assessment of KY's child care services. There's a plan to implement in the year 2025 as this will align with our regulations opening up and allow for changes to be made according to findings. We intend to work with our CCR&R contracted staff and our Kentucky All STARS staff to review data around effectiveness. After this, we intend to work with providers around their assessments of Kentucky All STARS. After this we intend to work with families and school systems around children’s successes. viii. Accreditation support. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. The Kentucky All STARS Program has a standard around NAEYC Accreditation and the Division of Child Care provides TA services through FCCN & CCA to providers to support implementing the requirements for the accreditation. ix. Supporting State/Territory or local efforts to develop high-quality program standards relating to health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Kentucky has contracts with two sub-recipient groups who provide TA around Health and Safety, and Quality Improvement. These groups are the Family Child Care Network (FCCN) and Child Care Aware (CCA). In the past, technical assistance was solely provided in Kentucky by CCA, however, we’ve dedicated more funding to bring on FCCN who will focus only on Family Child Care homes and Type II Licensed Providers. Contracting both FCCN and CCA gives all provider types a more focused and specialized TA. Kentucky All STARS also implements ERS Rating visits which have sections around nutrition, physical play and development. Child Care Aware Health and Safety Coaches provide targeted technical assistance to support health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development and regulatory compliance including: • Routine walkthroughs and support for the annual survey process. • Processes for license/certification changes. • Statements of deficiency. • Plans of correction relevant to annual surveys, investigations, and complaints. • Intensive coaching and training for programs placed in a Directed Plan of Correction or Adverse Action. x. Other activities determined by the Lead Agency to improve the quality of child care services and the measurement of outcomes related to improved provider preparedness, child safety, child well-being, or kindergarten entry. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Kentucky is working towards using funds to expand the Help Me Grow program around program support and implementation of Social Emotional Developmental Screenings. Early identification of social-emotional challenges can make a huge difference in a young child. Early identification of behavioral concerns means a greater chance for a child to fully thrive. Correctly identifying behavior through social emotional screening, such as the ASQ:SE-2, facilitates next steps to help children reach their fullest potential. As more children are more vulnerable to poverty or stress, the likelihood of depression, anxiety, and withdrawal increases. Social emotional screening results can help parents and teaching staff recognize children at risk and identify needed actions. 8 Lead Agency Coordination and Partnerships to Support Service Delivery Coordination and partnerships help ensure that the Lead Agency’s efforts accomplish CCDF goals effectively, leverage other resources, and avoid duplication of effort. Such coordination and partnerships can help families better access child care, can assist in providing consumer education to parents, and can be used to improve child care quality and the stability of child care providers. Such coordination can also be particularly helpful in the aftermath of disasters when the provision of emergency child care services and the rebuilding and restoring of child care infrastructure are an essential part of ensuring the well-being of children and families in recovering communities. This section identifies who the Lead Agency collaborates with to implement services, how match and maintenance-of-effort (MOE) funds are used, coordination with child care resource and referral (CCR&R) systems, and efforts for disaster preparedness and response plans to support continuity of operations in response to emergencies.