new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force shall: new text end

new text begin (1) identify difficulties that providers face regarding licensing and inspection, including specific licensing requirements that have led to the closure of family child care programs, by reviewing previous survey results and conducting follow-up surveys, if necessary; new text end

new text begin (2) propose regulatory reforms to improve licensing efficiency, including discussion of criteria that would qualify a provider for an abbreviated licensing review based on statistically significant key indicators that predict full compliance with all applicable rules and statutes, and discussion of the development of a risk-based, data driven, tiered violation system with corresponding enforcement mechanisms that are appropriate to the risk presented by a violation; new text end

new text begin (3) review existing variance authority delegated to counties and recommend changes, if needed; new text end

new text begin (4) recommend business development and technical assistance resources to promote provider recruitment and retention, including the potential need for mentors, a family child care provider network, or shared services; new text end

new text begin (5) develop recommendations for alternative child care delivery systems that could be more financially viable in smaller communities with unmet child care capacity needs in greater Minnesota, which could include new licensure models for large group family child care or small capacity child care centers; new text end

new text begin (6) review Parent Aware program participation and identify obstacles and suggested improvements; new text end

new text begin (7) review how trainings for licensed family child care providers are offered, provided, coordinated, and approved, and make a recommendation on the establishment of a family child care continuing education training committee, to advise on compliance with federal and state training requirements; and new text end

new text begin (8) consider methods to improve access to and understanding of the rules and statutes governing family child care providers. new text end