1.2 CCDF Policy Decision Authority

The Lead Agency has broad authority to administer (i.e., establish rules) and operate (i.e., implement activities) the CCDF program through other governmental, non-governmental, or public or private local agencies as long as the Lead Agency retains overall responsibility for the administration of the program. Administrative and implementation responsibilities undertaken by agencies other than the Lead Agency must be governed by written agreements that specify the mutual roles and responsibilities of the Lead Agency and other agencies in meeting the program requirements. 1.2.1 Entity establishing CCDF program rules Which of the following CCDF program rules and policies are administered (i.e., set or established) at the State or Territory level or local level? Identify whether CCDF program rules and policies are established by the State or Territory (even if operated locally) or whether the CCDF policies or rules are established by local entities, such as counties or workforce boards. Check one of the following: a. [x] All program rules and policies are set or established by the State or Territory. (If checked, skip to question 1.2.2.) b. [ ] Some or all program rules and policies are set or established by local entities or agencies. If checked, indicate which entities establish the following policies. Check all that apply: i. Eligibility rules and policies (e.g., income limits) are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: ii. Sliding-fee scale is set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: iii. Payment rates and payment policies are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: iv. Licensing standards and processes are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: v. Standards and monitoring processes for license-exempt providers are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: vi. Quality improvement activities, including QIS, are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: vii. Other. List and describe any other program rules and policies that are set at a level other than the State or Territory level: 1.2.2 Entities implementing CCDF services The Lead Agency has broad authority to operate (i.e., implement activities) through other agencies, as long as it retains overall responsibility for CCDF. Complete the table below to identify which entity(ies) implements or performs CCDF services. Check the box(es) to indicate which entity(ies) implement or perform CCDF services. CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Who conducts eligibility determinations? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Who assists parents in locating child care (consumer education)? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Who issues payments? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Who monitors licensed providers? [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [x] Describe: The Mississippi State Department of Health licenses and monitors all licensed child care providers. Who monitors license-exempt providers? [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [x] Describe: The Mississippi State Department of Health registers and monitors all license- exempt child care providers that participate in the CCDF program. CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Who operates the quality improvement activities? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [x] Describe: The Lead Agency partners with multiple organizations and agencies, which include Delta Health Alliance (a non-profit), Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi State University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi, North Mississippi Education Consortium, and the City of Durant to implement quality improvement activities (i.e., training and technical assistance). 1.2.3 Information systems availability For any activities performed by agencies other than the Lead Agency as reported above in 1.2.1 and 1.2.2, identify the processes the Lead Agency uses to oversee and monitor CCDF administration and implementation activities to retain overall responsibility for the CCDF program. Check and describe how the Lead Agency includes in its written agreements the required elements. Note: The contents of the written agreement may vary based on the role the agency is asked to assume or type of project but must include, at a minimum, the elements below. a. Tasks to be performed. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency utilizes interagency agreements, contracts, and sub-grant awards to oversee and ensure all CCDF activities are being implemented in compliance with all CCDF requirements. Each contract, and sub-grant award clearly outlines the specific tasks to be completed, the schedule/time frame/deadline for completing all tasks in the agreement, a budget that defines the fiscal obligations associated with completing all tasks, and includes all indicators/required deliverables that demonstrate the success/assess the performance of all agencies, including the Lead Agency's role, and/or parties responsible for each activity or deliverable in the scope of work. [ ] No. If no, describe: b. Schedule for completing tasks. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency utilizes interagency agreements, contracts, and sub-grant awards to oversee and ensure all CCDF activities are being implemented in compliance with all CCDF requirements. Each contract, and sub-grant award clearly outlines the specific tasks to be completed, the schedule/time frame/deadline for completing all tasks in the agreement, a budget that defines the fiscal obligations associated with completing all tasks, and includes all indicators/required deliverables that demonstrate the success/assess the performance of all agencies, including the Lead Agency's role, and/or parties responsible for each activity or deliverable in the scope of work. [ ] No. If no, describe: c. Budget which itemizes categorical expenditures in accordance with CCDF requirements. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency utilizes interagency agreements, contracts, and sub-grant awards to oversee and ensure all CCDF activities are being implemented in compliance with all CCDF requirements. Each contract, and sub-grant award clearly outlines the specific tasks to be completed, the schedule/time frame/deadline for completing all tasks in the agreement, a budget that defines the fiscal obligations associated with completing all tasks, and includes all indicators/required deliverables that demonstrate the success/assess the performance of all agencies, including the Lead Agency's role, and/or parties responsible for each activity or deliverable in the scope of work. The budget narrative included with each agreement, contract, and/or sub-grant award outlines the expense categories for completing all tasks. These categorical expenses include salaries, fringe benefits, contractual expenses, commodity expenses, travel (state and out-of-state), equipment, and administrative expenses. [ ] No. If no, describe: d. Indicators or measures to assess performance of those agencies. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency utilizes interagency agreements, contracts, and sub-grant awards to oversee and ensure all CCDF activities are being implemented in compliance with all CCDF requirements. Each contract, and sub-grant award clearly outlines the specific tasks to be completed, the schedule/time frame/deadline for completing all tasks in the agreement, a budget that defines the fiscal obligations associated with completing all tasks, and includes all indicators/required deliverables that demonstrate the success/assess the performance of all agencies, including the Lead Agency's role, and/or parties responsible for each activity or deliverable in the scope of work. Each agency is required to submit programmatic and budget reports to the Lead Agency so that the Lead Agency may monitor the progress of each agency toward meeting the tasks included in each agreement, contract, and/or sub-grant award. [ ] No. If no, describe: e. In addition to the written agreements identified above, describe any other monitoring and auditing processes used to oversee CCDF administration. The Lead Agency’s Division of Compliance and Monitoring conducts annual monitoring visits with each entity for which a contract and/or sub-grant agreement is in place. 1.2.4 Certification of shareable information systems. Does the Lead Agency certify that to the extent practicable and appropriate, any code or software for child care information systems or information technology for which a Lead Agency or other agency expends CCDF funds to develop is made available to other public agencies? This includes public agencies in other States for their use in administering child care or related programs. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 1.2.5 Confidential and personally identifiable information Certification of policies to protect confidential and personally identifiable information Does the Lead Agency certify that it has policies in place related to the use and disclosure of confidential and personally identifiable information about children and families receiving CCDF assistance and child care providers receiving CCDF funds? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: