7.1 Quality Activities Needs Assessment

7.1.1 Needs assessment process and findings a. Describe the Lead Agency needs assessment process for expending CCDF funds on activities to improve the quality of child care, including the frequency of assessment, how a diverse range of parents and providers were consulted, and how their views are incorporated: ECECD uses a variety of methods to collect input to understand needs related to improving the quality of child care. This work primarily occurs through the current redesign of the state’s quality rating and improvement system (QRIS), known as FOCUS. Through FOCUS redesign the state has gathered existing data about families’ preferences through the Child Care Resource and Referral system, held focus groups with providers from a variety of settings and quality improvement specialists to gather insights about the current system, conducted outreach to accreditation providers, and conducted a statewide survey for families, providers, and other key partners about what quality elements and supports are essential. This redesign will help inform where the state spends CCDF and state funds on activities to improve the quality of child care. b. Describe the findings of the assessment, including any findings related to needs of different populations and types of providers, and if any overarching goals for quality improvement were identified: ECECD is in process of collecting and analyzing findings and will update the state plan to reflect these findings after analysis and further outreach is complete.