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-- Evaluating the quality of child care programs in the state/territory, including evaluating how programs positively impact children

-- Supporting providers in the voluntary pursuit of accreditation

-- Supporting the development or adoption of high-quality program standards related to health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development

-- Performing other activities to improve the quality of child care services, as long as outcome measures relating to improved provider preparedness, child safety, child well-being, or kindergarten entry are possible.

Throughout this Plan, states and territories will describe the types of quality improvement activities where CCDF investments are being made, including but not limited to, quality set- aside funds and will describe the measurable indicators of progress used to evaluate state/territory progress in improving the quality of child care services for each expenditure (98.53(f)) These activities can benefit infants and toddlers through school age populations.

This section covers the quality activities needs assessment and quality improvement activities and indicators of progress for each of the activities undertaken in the state or territory.

7.1 Quality Activities Needs Assessment for Child Care Services

7.1.1 Lead Agencies must invest in quality activities based on an assessment of the state/territory's needs to carry out those activities. Lead Agencies have the flexibility to design an assessment of their quality activities that best meet their needs, including how often they do the assessment. Describe your state/territory assessment process, including the frequency of assessment (658G(a)(1); 98.53(a)). The Statewide Early Learning Connection Partnerships engage in an annual needs assessment. The ELCs use information from training evaluations, as well as surveys of partners, and annual partnership engagement to determine the saturation level of state required trainings, as well as training needed in local areas to increase provider competency and program improvement. CCDF expenditures also support the work of some of the coaches contracted to provide guidance to programs participating in Step Up to Quality. Programs completing the work to meet the requirements to be rated a Step 2 complete a Nebraska Page 268 of 314