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: [x] 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: New Mexico will not be requesting a waiver for grants or contracts. New Mexico only has one jurisdiction, statewide. ECECD will provide grants or contracts for infants and toddlers. The implementation will begin in areas where there is the highest need for infant and toddler slots and will expand as the need and resources allow. ECECD’s approach to contracting for slots will specifically focus on the infant and toddler age group but will also be targeted toward children in underserved geographic areas. ECECD will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) that prioritizes providers in underserved geographic areas (e.g., areas with less than average child care slots) and will require providers to serve a minimum of children with developmental delays and disabilities. Therefore, the number for these categories overlap with the 2,000 contracted slots ECECD plans for Infants and Toddlers. [ ] No. If no, describe any Lead Agency plans to provide direct child care services through grants and contracts for child care slots: 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. [x] Children with disabilities. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: At least 100 slots will be allocated through contracts for children with developmental delays and disabilities. [x] Infants and toddlers. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: At least 900 slots will be allocated through contracts for infants and toddlers. [x] Children in underserved geographic areas. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: At least 1000 slots will be allocated through contracts for children in underserved communities. [ ] 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? ECECD is still determining the parameters for the implementation of infant and toddler slots in underserved areas. 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. [ ] 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: ii. [x] Restricted based on the in-home provider meeting a minimum age requirement. Describe: The provider must be 18 years of age or older. iii. [ ] Restricted based on the hours of care (i.e., certain number of hours, non- traditional work hours). Describe: 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 is restricted to care for children with special needs or a medical condition, and the sibling(s) of the qualifying child. 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: ECECD will conduct a child care supply and demand study that is comprehensive, incorporating information from existing administrative data on supply, and collecting new information from families, child care providers, and other key sources to understand the quality and availability of child care in the state compared to the demand. ii. Method of tracking progress: ECECD will track progress monthly through the review and analysis of the ￿hip pocket￿ data report. This monthly report will demonstrate where progress is being made and areas where there are opportunities to strengthen support to address child care shortages. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes ECECD will invest in the statewide Accelerator program and develop and implement staffed family child care networks. The Accelerator is a cohort-based approach that brings together business support, quality coaching and mentoring and training for rapid growth and development. The Accelerator will elevate family child care and expand access to affordable, quality, and culturally responsive child care. The staffed family child care networks will focus on strengthening connections with each other and with community resources, building provider business development, and improving quality and capacity through mutual learning, support, and joint activities. The networks will support family child care businesses with consultation, quality coaching, professional development, licensing, and recruitment of providers. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? To address child care shortages in child care centers, ECECD implemented the Capacity Resources for Enhancing Care, Excellence, and Resilience (CRECER) program that expands and stabilizes the supply of child care in the state. CRECER is led by WESST, a local Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). CRECER provides financial support through grants and technical assistance to increase the understanding and skills in child care business practices among child care owners and directors. CRECER supports the expansion of high quality child care, specifically in underserved areas and for underserved populations. b. In different regions of the State or Territory: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: ECECD will conduct a child care supply and demand study that is comprehensive, incorporating information from existing administrative data on supply, and collecting new information from families, child care providers, and other key sources to understand the quality and availability of child care in the state compared to the demand. ii. Method of tracking progress: ECECD will track progress monthly through the review and analysis of the ￿hip pocket￿ data report. This monthly report will demonstrate where progress is being made and areas where there are opportunities to strengthen support to address child care shortages. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? ECECD will invest in the statewide Accelerator program and develop and implement staffed family child care networks. The Accelerator is a cohort-based approach that brings together business support, quality coaching and mentoring and training for rapid growth and development. The Accelerator will elevate family child care and expand access to affordable, quality, and culturally responsive child care. The staffed family child care networks will focus on strengthening connections with each other and with community resources, building provider business development, and improving quality and capacity through mutual learning, support, and joint activities. The networks will support family child care businesses with consultation, quality coaching, professional development, licensing, and recruitment of providers. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? To address child care shortages in child care centers, ECECD implemented the Capacity Resources for Enhancing Care, Excellence, and Resilience (CRECER) program that expands and stabilizes the supply of child care in the state. CRECER is led by WESST, a local CDFI, provides financial support through grants and technical assistance to increase the understanding and skills in child care business practices among child care owners and directors. CRECER supports the expansion of high quality child care, specifically in underserved areas and for underserved populations. c. In care for special populations: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: ECECD will conduct a child care supply and demand study that is comprehensive, incorporating information from existing administrative data on supply, and collecting new information from families, child care providers, and other key sources to understand the quality and availability of child care in the state compared to the demand. ii. Method of tracking progress: ECECD will track progress monthly through the review and analysis of the ￿hip pocket￿ data report. This monthly report will demonstrate where progress is being made and areas where there are opportunities to strengthen support to address child care shortages. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? ECECD will invest in the statewide Accelerator program and develop and implement staffed family child care networks. The Accelerator is a cohort-based approach that brings together business support, quality coaching and mentoring and training for rapid growth and development. The Accelerator will elevate family child care and expand access to affordable, quality, and culturally responsive child care. The staffed family child care networks will focus on strengthening connections with each other and with community resources, building provider business development, and improving quality and capacity through mutual learning, support, and joint activities. The networks will support family child care businesses with consultation, quality coaching, professional development, licensing, and recruitment of providers. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? To address child care shortages in child care centers, ECECD implemented the Capacity Resources for Enhancing Care, Excellence, and Resilience (CRECER) program that expands and stabilizes the supply of child care in the state. CRECER is led by WESST, a local CDFI, provides financial support through grants and technical assistance to increase the understanding and skills in child care business practices among child care owners and directors. CRECER supports the expansion of high quality child care, specifically in underserved areas and for underserved populations. 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: There are far less child care slots than children needing services. In order to accurately identify the gaps in underserved geographic areas, ECECD will conduct a child care supply and demand study that is comprehensive, incorporating information from existing administrative data on supply, and collecting new information from families, child care providers, and other key sources to understand the quality and availability of child care in the state compared to the demand. ECECD will use this supply and demand analysis to develop funding, policy, and programmatic decisions to continue to improve the supply of child care across the state. b. Infants and toddlers. Describe: There are more infants and toddlers needing services than licensed slots. In order to accurately identify the gaps for infant and toddler care, ECECD will conduct a child care supply and demand study that is comprehensive, incorporating information from existing administrative data on supply, and collecting new information from families, child care providers, and other key sources to understand the quality and availability of child care in the state compared to the demand. ECECD will use this supply and demand analysis to develop funding, policy, and programmatic decisions to continue to improve the supply of child care across the state. c. Children with disabilities. Describe: ECECD will conduct a child care supply and demand study that is comprehensive, incorporating information from existing administrative data on supply, and collecting new information from families, child care providers, and other key sources to understand the quality and availability of child care in the state compared to the demand. ECECD will use this supply and demand analysis to develop funding, policy, and programmatic decisions to continue to improve the supply of child care across the state. d. Children who receive care during non-traditional hours. Describe: ECECD will conduct a child care supply and demand study that is comprehensive, incorporating information from existing administrative data on supply, and collecting new information from families, child care providers, and other key sources to understand the quality and availability of child care in the state compared to the demand. ECECD will use this supply and demand analysis to develop funding, policy, and programmatic decisions to continue to improve the supply of child care across the state. e. Other. Specify what population is being focused on to increase supply or improve quality. Describe: ECECD will conduct a child care supply and demand study that is comprehensive, incorporating information from existing administrative data on supply, and collecting new information from families, child care providers, and other key sources to understand the quality and availability of child care in the state compared to the demand. ECECD will use this supply and demand analysis to develop funding, policy, and programmatic decisions to continue to improve the supply of child care across the state. 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. New Mexico has made a substantial investment in early childhood, prenatal to 5 systems to improve the health, development, education and overall wellbeing of children. To establish statewide measures to track progress and identify areas of persistent need, ECECD is partnering with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Public Education Department to establish a common statewide measurement system for New Mexico consisting of two population outcome measures for children - the Early Development instrument (EDI); and the Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (CHEQ) ￿ and one measure of community conditions that influence wellbeing, the National Neighborhood Equity Index (NNEI). Statewide results will help policymakers and local community organizations understand inequities in children’s well-being, neighborhood by neighborhood. These data will help to catalyze and create a point of unity for cross-sector efforts to: 1) Look back to improve children’s outcomes (0-5) before children arrive at kindergarten and to; 2) Look forward (K-12) to understand the incoming kindergarten cohort of children and support them as they progress through school. 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.