4.5 Supply Building

Building a supply of high-quality child care that meets the needs and preferences of parents participating in CCDF is necessary to meet CCDF’s core purposes. Lead Agencies must support parent choice by providing some portion of direct services via grants or contracts, including at a minimum for children in underserved geographic areas, infants and toddlers, and children with disabilities. 4.5.1 Child care services available through grants or contracts Does the Lead Agency provide direct child care services through grants or contracts for child care slots? [ ] Yes, statewide. Describe how the Lead Agency ensures that parents who enroll with a provider who has a grant or contract have choices when selecting a provider: [ ] Yes, in some jurisdictions, but not statewide. Describe how many jurisdictions use grants or contracts for child care slots and how the Lead Agency ensures that parents who enroll with a provider who has a grant or contract have choices when selecting a provider: [x] No. If no, describe any Lead Agency plans to provide direct child care services through grants and contracts for child care slots: Currently, the Lead Agency does not pay direct child care services through grants and contracts through child care slots. The Lead Agency will request a waiver to obtain technical assistance on how to implement this requirement. If no, skip to question 4.5.2. i. If yes, identify the populations of children served through grants or contracts for child care slots (check all that apply). For each population selected, identify the number of slots allocated through grants or contracts for direct service of children receiving CCDF. [ ] Children with disabilities. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Infants and toddlers. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Children in underserved geographic areas. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Children needing non-traditional hour care. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] School-age children. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Children experiencing homelessness. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Children in urban areas. Percent of CCDF children served in an average month: [ ] Children in rural areas. Percent of CCDF children served in an average month: [ ] Other populations. If checked, describe: ii. If yes, how are rates for slots funded by grants and contracts determined by the Lead Agency? 4.5.2 Care in the child’s home (in-home care) The Lead Agency must allow for in-home care (i.e., care provided in the child’s own home) but may limit its use. Will the Lead Agency limit the use of in-home care in any way? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If yes, what limits will the Lead Agency set on the use of in-home care? Check all that apply. i. [x] Restricted based on the minimum number of children in the care of the in- home provider to meet the Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage) requirements. Describe: Providers are only allowed to care for children who live in the home in which care is being provided. The limit would be set at the number of children in the family composition. To qualify for in-home care, the family must meet certain qualifications, one of which is that there are three or more children in care. In-Home child care is not funded with CCDF or state matching funds. ii. [x] Restricted based on the in-home provider meeting a minimum age requirement. Describe: All providers must be age 19 or older. iii. [x] Restricted based on the hours of care (i.e., certain number of hours, non- traditional work hours). Describe: In-home care may be authorized if the recipient needs child care during evening, overnight, weekend, or holiday hours. The evening is defined as after 7:00 p.m. All providers are limited to a maximum of 18 hours in a 24-hour period and a maximum of 60 hours per week. iv. [ ] Restricted to care by relatives. (A relative provider must be at least 18 years of age based on the definition of eligible child care provider.) Describe: v. [x] Restricted to care for children with special needs or a medical condition. Describe: In-home care may be authorized if a child has a special need or a childhood illness. The in-home provider may be an individual who lives with the child only if the child has a special need or a childhood illness. vi. [ ] Restricted to in-home providers that meet additional health and safety requirements beyond those required by CCDF. Describe: vii. [ ] Other. Describe: 4.5.3 Shortages in the supply of child care Lead Agencies must identify shortages in the supply of child care providers that meet parents’ needs and preferences. What child care shortages has the Lead Agency identified in the State or Territory, and what is the plan to address the child care shortages? a. In infant and toddler programs: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Data reports of licensed child care centers and family child care homes, CCDF participating providers, and monthly referrals for the CCDF program. The Lead Agency created a gap map, showing the need of child care by county. The Lead Agency also works with statewide partners who collect similar data. ii. Method of tracking progress: The Lead Agency tracks the number of licensed child care centers and family child care homes, as well as the total number of licensed slots to assess trends. The Lead Agency also tracks the number of CCDF participating providers and monthly referrals for new CCDF and license-exempt CCDF providers. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes The Lead Agency recently invested $26 million to start-up and or expand 71 family child care homes, addressing child care shortages in both rural and urban areas of the state. The Lead Agency also offers monthly start-up and expansion grants on a smaller scale for providers. The Lead Agency will continue to work with statewide partners to also address this issue. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? The Lead Agency recently invested $26 million to start-up and or expand 95 child care centers, addressing child care shortages in both rural and urban areas of the state. The Lead Agency also offers monthly start-up and expansion grants on a smaller scale for providers. The Lead Agency will continue to work with statewide partners to also address this issue. b. In different regions of the State or Territory: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Data reports of licensed child care centers and family child care homes, CCDF participating providers, and monthly referrals for the CCDF program. ii. Method of tracking progress: The Lead Agency tracks the number of licensed child care centers and family child care homes, as well as the total number of licensed slots to assess trends. The Lead Agency also tracks the number of CCDF participating providers and monthly referrals for new CCDF and license-exempt CCDF providers. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? The Lead Agency recently invested $26 million to start-up and or expand 71 family child care homes, addressing child care shortages in both rural and urban areas of the state. The Lead Agency also offers monthly start-up and expansion grants on a smaller scale for providers. The Lead Agency will continue to work with statewide partners to also address this issue. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? The Lead Agency recently invested $26 million to start-up and or expand 95 child care centers, addressing child care shortages in both rural and urban areas of the state. The Lead Agency also offers monthly start-up and expansion grants on a smaller scale for providers. The Lead Agency will continue to work with statewide partners to also address this issue. c. In care for special populations: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Data reports of licensed child care centers and family child care homes, CCDF participating providers, and monthly referrals for the CCDF program. The Lead Agency created a gap map, showing the need of child care by county. The Lead Agency also works with statewide partners who collect similar data. ii. Method of tracking progress: The Lead Agency tracks the number of licensed child care centers and family child care homes, as well as the total number of licensed slots to assess trends. The Lead Agency also tracks the number of CCDF participating providers and monthly referrals for new CCDF and license-exempt CCDF providers. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? The Lead Agency recently invested $26 million to start-up and or expand 71 family child care homes, addressing child care shortages in both rural and urban areas of the state. The Lead Agency also offers monthly start-up and expansion grants on a smaller scale for providers. The Lead Agency will continue to work with statewide partners to also address this issue. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? The Lead Agency recently invested $26 million to start-up and or expand 95 child care centers, addressing child care shortages in both rural and urban areas of the state. The Lead Agency also offers monthly start-up and expansion grants on a smaller scale for providers. The Lead Agency will continue to work with statewide partners to also address this issue. 4.5.4 Strategies to increase the supply of and improve quality of child care Lead Agencies must develop and implement strategies to increase the supply of and improve the quality of child care services. These strategies must address child care in underserved geographic areas; infants and toddlers; children with disabilities, as defined by the Lead Agency; and children who receive care during non-traditional hours. How does the Lead Agency identify any gaps in the supply and quality of child care services and what strategies are used to address those gaps for: a. Underserved geographic areas. Describe: The Lead Agency created a gap map using identifying child care shortages throughout all of Nebraska’s counties. Using this data, Nebraska was able to identify 11 child care desert counties. The Lead Agency launched a $26 million capacity building initiative, which added over 4,000 new slots across Nebraska. The initiative also eliminated 2 of the child care deserts. Through the work of the PDG-5, the Lead Agency contracted with the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) and partnered with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) to create the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Action Agenda. After a 12-month stakeholder engagement, five actionable items were developed. The PDG Action Agenda builds on community and parent voices from PDG-3 and -4 grant years and represents input from 70+ individuals and 17+ organizations, including advocates, direct service providers, government agencies, and researchers. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to communicate the needs of Nebraska families and the early childhood system. In addition to the Action Agenda, other PDG funding supports capacity- building initiatives and quality supports for providers and families. Action item one addresses service gaps for Nebraska’s working families. The objective focuses on increasing families’ access to quality early care and education by addressing common barriers. The Lead Agency has access to monthly reports of providers that indicate which counties child care providers are located. These reports assist the Lead Agency in identifying which counties are underserved. The Lead Agency also collaborates and communicates with other Departments and agencies around the State of Nebraska to assess gaps in supply across the state. The Lead Agency offers start-up and expansion grants to programs based on applications that are reviewed and awarded monthly. Funds are designated to improve the quality of child care, provide quality programs for low-income children, and increase the availability of early childhood development programs. An aspect of the application requires the applicant to identify the community need for quality child care. This need is taken into consideration. The Lead Agency offers technical assistance support through staff, as well as collaborating with the state’s CCR&R, Coaching Specialists, and other avenues to provide technical support to providers across the state. These supports include assisting providers with the licensing and subsidy regulations and requirements, navigating available trainings, QRIS information, other quality initiatives support, and assisting families to find child care in their communities. b. Infants and toddlers. Describe: Community for Kids initiative was created in response to community request for assistance with shortages of quality early care. The initiative is dedicated to ensuring that communities, primarily rural areas, can grow and prosper by strengthening and sustaining a quality early childhood care and education infrastructure. Through the work of the PDG-5, the Lead Agency contracted with the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) and partnered with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) to create the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Action Agenda. After a 12-month stakeholder engagement, five actionable items were developed. The PDG Action Agenda builds on community and parent voices from PDG-3 and -4 grant years and represents input from 70+ individuals and 17+ organizations, including advocates, direct service providers, government agencies, and researchers. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to communicate the needs of Nebraska families and the early childhood system. In addition to the Action Agenda, other PDG funding supports capacity- building initiatives and quality supports for providers and families. Action item one addresses service gaps for Nebraska’s working families. The objective focuses on increasing families’ access to quality early care and education by addressing common barriers, including affordability. The Lead Agency offers start-up and expansion grants to programs based on applications that are reviewed and awarded monthly. Funds are designated to improve the quality of child care, provide quality programs for low-income children, and increase the availability of early childhood development programs. An aspect of the application requires the applicant to identify the community need for quality child care, including indicating if there are waiting lists and the number of children needing care on the waiting lists. c. Children with disabilities. Describe: Community for Kids initiative was created in response to community request for assistance with shortages of quality early care. The initiative is dedicated to ensuring that communities, primarily rural areas, can grow and prosper by strengthening and sustaining a quality early childhood care and education infrastructure. Through the work of the PDG-5, the Lead Agency contracted with the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) and partnered with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) to create the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Action Agenda. After a 12-month stakeholder engagement, five actionable items were developed. The PDG Action Agenda builds on community and parent voices from PDG-3 and -4 grant years and represents input from 70+ individuals and 17+ organizations, including advocates, direct service providers, government agencies, and researchers. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to communicate the needs of Nebraska families and the early childhood system. In addition to the Action Agenda, other PDG funding supports capacity- building initiatives and quality supports for providers and families. Action item one addresses service gaps for Nebraska’s working families. The objective focuses on increasing families’ access to quality early care and education by addressing common barriers, including children requiring specialized services. The Lead Agency offers start-up and expansion grants to programs based on applications that are reviewed and awarded monthly. Funds are designated to improve the quality of child care, provide quality programs for low-income children, and increase the availability of early childhood development programs. Grant funds can be used to fund accessibility needs for children with disabilities. The Lead Agency offers tiered subsidy payment rates for providers caring for children with special needs. Rates may be approved for up to 25% over the base rate. The Lead Agency also offers technical assistance support through Lead Agency staff, as well as collaborating with the state’s CCR&R, Coaching Specialists, and other avenues to provide technical assistance to providers across the state. These supports assist families to find child care in their communities, among other things. Activities through the work of the PDG offer technical assistance and support. These activities support increasing the supply of and improving the quality of child care services for all needs, including children with disabilities. d. Children who receive care during non-traditional hours. Describe: Community for Kids initiative was created in response to community request for assistance with shortages of quality early care. The initiative is dedicated to ensuring that communities, primarily rural areas, can grow and prosper by strengthening and sustaining a quality early childhood care and education infrastructure. Through the work of the PDG-5, the Lead Agency contracted with the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) and partnered with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) to create the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) Action Agenda. After a 12-month stakeholder engagement, five actionable items were developed. The PDG Action Agenda builds on community and parent voices from PDG-3 and -4 grant years and represents input from 70+ individuals and 17+ organizations, including advocates, direct service providers, government agencies, and researchers. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to communicate the needs of Nebraska families and the early childhood system. In addition to the Action Agenda, other PDG funding supports capacity- building initiatives and quality supports for providers and families. Action item one addresses service gaps for Nebraska’s working families. The objective focuses on increasing families’ access to quality early care and education by addressing common barriers, including children requiring care during non-traditional hours. The Lead Agency has access to reports that indicate providers who are licensed to provide care for children outside of traditional work hours. This report helps to inform the availability of child care and the ongoing need. Families who work non-traditional hours are eligible to have an in-home child care provider. In-home child care providers are paid minimum wage and receive overtime pay when applicable. The Lead Agency offers technical assistance support through Lead Agency staff, as well as collaborating with the state’s CCR&R, Coaching Specialists, and other avenues to provide technical assistance to providers across the state. Technical assistance can be aimed to help providers become licensed to offer care during non-traditional hours. Activities through the work of the PDG offer technical assistance and support. These activities support increasing the supply of and improve the quality of childcare services for all needs, including the need for care during non-traditional hours. e. Other. Specify what population is being focused on to increase supply or improve quality. Describe: One Preschool Development Grant (PDG) activity, Communities for Kids Bilingual Consultants, partners with several communities in Nebraska with a high Spanish-speaking population and provides resources to bring information to family, friends, and neighbor care providers. Such resources include support related to Early Childhood development, business practices in family home child care, and understanding licensing regulations to address shortages of high-quality care programs available to non-English speaking families. 4.5.5 Prioritization of investments in areas of concentrated poverty and unemployment Lead Agencies must prioritize investments for increasing access to high-quality child care and development services for children of families in areas that have significant concentrations of poverty and unemployment and do not currently have sufficient numbers of such programs. Describe how the Lead Agency prioritizes increasing access to high-quality child care and development services for children of families in areas that have significant concentrations of poverty and unemployment and that do not have access to high-quality programs. Step Up to Quality (Nebraska's QRIS) requires providers who receive $250,000 or more in CCDF/Subsidy annually to participate in Step Up to Quality. Providers who receive higher amounts of CCDF/Subsidy serve more children in poverty than those providers who are not receiving high amounts of Subsidy. This requirement will increase quality in centers that serve a greater population of low-income children. The Lead Agency actively participates in various committees initiating research about and supporting communities of poverty. 5 Health and Safety of Child Care Settings Child care health and safety standards and enforcement practices are essential to protect the health and safety of children while out of their parents’ care. CCDF provides a minimum threshold for child care health and safety policies and practices but leaves authority to Lead Agencies to design standards that appropriately protect children’s safety and promote nurturing environments that support their healthy growth and development. Lead Agencies should set standards for ratios, group size limits, and provider qualifications that help ensure that the child care environment is conducive to safety and learning and enable caregivers to promote all domains of children’s development. CCDF health and safety standards help set clear expectations for CCDF providers, form the foundation for health and safety training for child care workers, and establish the baseline for monitoring to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. These health and safety requirements apply to all providers serving children receiving CCDF services – whether the providers are licensed or license-exempt, must be appropriate to the provider setting and age of the children served, must include specific topics and training on those topics, and are subject to monitoring and enforcement procedures by the Lead Agency. CCDF-required annual monitoring and enforcement actions help ensure that CCDF providers are adopting and implementing health and safety requirements. Through child care licensing, Lead Agencies set minimum requirements, including health and safety requirements, that child care providers must meet to legally operate in that State or Territory. In some cases, CCDF health and safety requirements may be integrated within the licensing system for licensed providers and may be separate for CCDF providers who are license- exempt. This section addresses CCDF health and safety requirements, Lead Agency licensing requirements and exemptions, and comprehensive background checks. When responding to questions in this section, OCC recognizes that each Lead Agency identifies and defines its own categories of care. OCC does not expect Lead Agencies to change their definitions to fit the CCDF-defined categories of care. For these questions, provide responses that best match the CCDF categories of care.