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Describe:

Start-up funding.

Describe: The Lead Agency offers Child Care Start-Up and Expansion Grants. Grants applications are reviewed and awarded on a monthly basis. Funds are specifically designated to improve the quality of child care, provide quality programs for low-income children, and to increase the availability of early childhood development programs, before, and after school programs. Applicants can apply to expand their existing center to serve an increase number in infants and toddlers.

Technical assistance support. Describe: The Lead Agency offers technical assistance support through Resource Developer Workers, Child Care Licensing Specialist, and CCDF/Subsidy Program staff. Lead Agency staff also collaborate with staff from the CR&R and Coaching Specialist to provide technical assistance to providers across the state. Technical assistance supports include assisting providers through current license and license exempt regulations, navigation for available trainings and QRIS and other quality initiatives supports.

Recruitment of providers. Describe:

Tiered payment rates (as discussed in 4.3.2) . Describe:

A higher rate may be negotiated for children with special needs once proper documentation has been provided. The rate is based on what is needed outside typical child care needs rather than being based on the child's actual diagnosis and set by the Lead Agency and the child care provider. As part of Step Up to Quality, non-accredited programs will receive an increase of 5% in their subsidy rates at Step 3, Step 4, and Step 5. Accredited programs will receive an increase of 5% in their subsidy rates at Step 4 and Step 5. In-home providers who provide child care Nebraska Page 132 of 314