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. https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/support-for-families/child-care/paying-for-child-care 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. The Lead Agency’s partnership with MRTQ PDN which provides Maine’s system of professional development and technical assistance is funded through blended funding that includes CCDF funds. The Lead Agency supports the credentialing and degree attainment of child care providers and educators through apprenticeships, scholarships, badging, and articulation agreements. 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 utilizes CCDF funds for the Preschool Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (P-MELDS) and the Infant Toddler Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (I/T MELDS) training and maintenance of those 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. The Lead Agency’s partnership with MRTQ PDN which provides Maine’s system of professional development and technical assistance including Maine’s Rising Stars for ME QRIS is funded through CCDF. 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. The Lead Agency’s partnership with MRTQ PDN which provides Maine’s system of professional development and technical assistance is funded through blended funding that includes CCDF funds. The Lead Agency supports the Infant and Toddler Credential through this partnership. The Lead Agency utilizes CCDF funds for the Infant Toddler Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (I/T MELDS) training and maintenance of those standards. The Child Care Affordability Program (CCAP) in Maine provides an infant stipend of $100 per week for 20 or more hours of care. The program also offers an infant/toddler bump based on QRIS Rising Star levels. The bump is as follows: Star 3: 2% Star 4: 5% Star 5: 10% v. Establishing or expanding a statewide system of CCR&R services. [x] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. 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. The Lead Agency houses Children's Licensing and Investigation Services (CLIS). CLIS is funded through CCDF for child care licensing activities. 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. The Lead Agency’s oversight of QRIS and the role of the Early Child Care and Education Quality Specialist is to assess the quality and effectiveness of child care services through site visits and review of a program’s online portfolio. 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 Lead Agency’s partnership with MRTQ PDN which provides Maine’s system of professional development and technical assistance is funded through blended funding that includes CCDF funds. Accreditation supports is part of the PDN system. 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. The Lead Agency’s partnership with MRTQ PDN which provides Maine’s system of professional development and technical assistance is funded through blended funding that includes CCDF funds. The QRIS standards are maintained within the system and include standards relating to health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development. 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. [x] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. 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.