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coach questionnaire. Based on the needs identified, the Step Up to Quality Coach Coordinator contacts the program director/owner to assess the program’s need for support. The Coach coordinator offers the service of a coach. If the program wants coaching services, the Coach coordinator matches the program with a coach with skills to match the needs identified in the coach questionnaire.

CCDF Quality dollars are used to support Step Up to Quality activities. Step Up to Quality has been evaluated by an outside entity for the past few years. The information is then used to modify and respond to the identified needs.

Effective Date: 10/01/2018

7.1.2 Describe the findings of the assessment and if any overarching goals for quality improvement were identified. Several common themes were identified through the Early Learning Connection Partnerships’ assessments. All regions identified that focusing on licensing required training is still a priority for those who are still working to meet deadlines and due to ongoing staff turnover. Other commonly requested topics noted in the assessments included next level trainings of license required topics, social emotional development, trauma informed care, training on common classroom assessment tools, training that is specific to the program type (home visiting, infant/toddler, school age, etc.), and CDA series. Overarching goals throughout the state involved seeking more collaboration between agencies/quality initiatives, series training that emphasizes higher level learning, and embedding topics like mental health, inclusion, and diversity/cultural awareness into all early childhood training.

Increasing quality in the child care setting across Nebraska, both Urban and Rural, continue to be the goal of Step Up to Quality. Assessments identify areas of higher subsidy population, higher poverty, areas where quality child care is minimally represented.

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