7.1 Quality Activities Needs Assessment

7.1.1 Needs assessment process and findings a. Describe the Lead Agency needs assessment process for expending CCDF funds on activities to improve the quality of child care, including the frequency of assessment, how a range of parents and providers were consulted, and how their views are incorporated: The Lead Agency uses a variety of strategies to assess which quality improvement activities are most needed in our state. In 2023, the Preschool Development B-5 Renewal Grant funded a comprehensive needs assessment to understand the strengths, gaps, and opportunities within North Dakota’s early childhood sector. The needs assessment gathered input from multiple stakeholder groups across urban, rural, and Tribal territories. Stakeholder groups included a wide range of representation including families; community and Tribal leaders; and early childhood providers, such as licensed child care providers, Head Start and Early Head Start providers, IDEA Part B and C specialists, and local school districts. Data for this needs assessment was collected through workshops, interviews, and surveys. The needs assessment findings will be used to develop a strategic plan to improve the availability, affordability, and quality in the early childhood sector. Implementation of the strategic plan will be evaluated by the Lead Agency on a routine basis. To support continuous quality improvement efforts, the Lead Agency will conduct a quality needs assessment and strategic plan revision every three years. b. Describe the findings of the assessment, including any findings related to needs of different populations and types of providers, and if any overarching goals for quality improvement were identified: The needs assessment findings summarized the strengths, gaps, and opportunities within North Dakota’s early childhood sector. North Dakota families face challenges in finding and affording child care. Availability of child care options disproportionately impacts families in need of infant and toddler care. Cost to families is a barrier to accessing care, particularly for low-income families and middle- income families. Families expressed difficulties with finding, accessing, and qualifying for child care subsidies. Families who qualify for child care subsidies often experience additional barriers to accessing them and are unable to take advantage of supports. Quality child care exists in North Dakota; however, families and providers have varying definitions of quality. Families place value on safe and responsive environments, caring and well-trained providers, and a holistic approach to meeting the needs of children and families. Providers expressed a need to systemically address inclusion, mental health, social and emotional learning, family engagement and other best practices to support quality child care. North Dakota providers desire professional acknowledgement, appreciation, and support. Professional acknowledgement and appreciation are especially important as providers experience family needs increasing, challenges with child behaviors, and difficulty in managing operations￿all of which require training, support, and dedication to address. Providers seek opportunities to meaningfully connect with one another, receive coaching, and peer-to-peer support as opportunities for providing more career stability and supports. Providers described the need for more training, particularly for understanding prenatal substance exposure, trauma informed care, guiding challenging behaviors, and children with unique needs (i.e., Autism, ADHD, etc.). The needs assessment findings will be used to develop a strategic plan to improve the availability, affordability, and quality in the early childhood sector, which includes identifying any overarching goals for quality improvement. The full needs assessment can be found on the Lead Agency’s website at https://www.hhs.nd.gov/cfs/early-childhood- services/pdgb5.