7.2 Use of Quality Set-Aside Funds

Lead Agencies must use a portion of their CCDF expenditures for activities designed to improve the quality of child care services and to increase parental options for and access to high-quality child care. They must use the quality set-aside funds on at least one of 10 activities described in CCDF and the quality activities must be aligned with a Statewide or Territory-wide assessment of the State's or Territory’s need to carry out such services and care. 7.2.1 Quality improvement activities a. Describe how the Lead Agency will make its Quality Progress Report (ACF – 218) and expenditure reports, available to the public. Provide a link if available. ECECD will make the Quality Progress Report (QPR), and expenditure reports available to the public on our website once the reports are approved by the Office of Child Care. ECECD has the QPR report posted on the website at Quality Progress Report FFY2023 (nmececd.org). b. Identify Lead Agency plans, if any, to spend CCDF funds for each of the following quality improvement activities. If an activity is checked “yes”, describe the Lead Agency’s current and/or future plans for this activity. i. Supporting the training and professional development of the child care workforce, including birth to five and school-age providers. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. ECECD supports the training and professional development of the child care workforce through a contract with the University of New Mexico’s Early Childhood Service Center in the development of the New Mexico Early Learning System (NMELS) and through its online training platform, Quorum. Professional development opportunities in NMELS provide training and licensure requirements for all individuals in a recognized setting for children birth through age twelve. Professional development courses offered through NMELS and Quorum meet the New Mexico Core Competency Areas for Early Care. Additionally, ECECD has partnered with Quorum, an online professional development platform to offer over 200 hours of courses at no cost to New Mexico’s early childhood workforce. Courses are available in English and Spanish, and it is on this platform that educators can complete all CCDF required Health and Safety training. ii. Developing, maintaining, or implementing early learning and developmental guidelines. [x] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. iii. Developing, implementing, or enhancing a quality improvement system. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. ECECD uses funding to support developing implementing and enhancing a quality improvement system. ECECD currently spends and plans to maintain a contract with the University of New Mexico (UNM) to provide a framework for consultation and coaching for FOCUS which serves as the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). The UNM contract also includes staff who conduct the QRIS initial and annual verifications. ECECD also supports the QRIS by spending funds to provide Planning Time Grants for child care centers. The purpose of these grants are to support the QRIS requirement of two hours per week for planning time for classroom educators. Differential Rates: ECECD pays a differential rate to providers achieving higher Star levels by meeting FOCUS essential elements of quality. The QRIS is directly tied to differential rates as programs progress through Star-Levels. iv. Improving the supply and quality of child care services for infants and toddlers. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Infant and Toddler Contracted Slots: ECECD will implement contracted slots for infant and toddler care beginning in fall 2024 to increase access and quality to infant and toddler care for families and communities by providing predictable funding and supports for programs to expand infant and toddler care for children in Child Care Assistance. 2 Plus- through 5-star Differential for Infant and Toddler Care: ECECD reimburses 2 Plus- through 5-star child care providers with a differential rate through Alternative Methodology that is intended to improve equal access to high-quality infant and toddler care by making it affordable for families, and covering the costs incurred by child care providers to offer higher quality care to infants and toddlers. v. Establishing or expanding a statewide system of CCR&R services. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. ECECD contracts with the University of New Mexico (UNM) to host the state’s Child Care Resource and Referral system. UNM has created a web site and a phone number with a staffed help line to assist families looking for resources, child care programs and services for young children in New Mexico. vi. Facilitating compliance with Lead Agency child care licensing, monitoring, inspection and health and safety standards. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x]Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. ECECD has partnered with Quorum, an online professional development platform to offer the required CCDF Health and Safety training courses at no cost to New Mexico’s early childhood workforce. Courses are available in English and Spanish and meet each of the 11 topic areas required by CCDF. vii. Evaluating and assessing the quality and effectiveness of child care services within the State/Territory. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. ECECD evaluates and assesses the quality and effectiveness of child care services in New Mexico through the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), FOCUS. Through a contract with the University of New Mexico, consultants provide coaching and technical assistance. As child care programs move through Star-Levels, a FOCUS Verification Tool is used to measure program quality through ten Essential Elements including: 1) Authentic Observation, Documentation, and Curriculum Planning, 2) Family Engagement, 3) Inclusion Practices for Children with Developmental Delays or Disabilities, 4) Culture and Language Including the Support of Dual Language Learners, 5) Promoting Social Relationships, 6) Health Promotion and Developmental Screenings 7) Professional Qualifications 8) Ratios and Group Size, 9) Environments, and 10) Program Administration and Leadership. This also includes reviews of the program’s plan for continuous quality improvement. viii. Accreditation support. [x] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. ix. Supporting State/Territory or local efforts to develop high-quality program standards relating to health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development. [x] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. x. Other activities determined by the Lead Agency to improve the quality of child care services and the measurement of outcomes related to improved provider preparedness, child safety, child well-being, or kindergarten entry. [x] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. 8 Lead Agency Coordination and Partnerships to Support Service Delivery Coordination and partnerships help ensure that the Lead Agency’s efforts accomplish CCDF goals effectively, leverage other resources, and avoid duplication of effort. Such coordination and partnerships can help families better access child care, can assist in providing consumer education to parents, and can be used to improve child care quality and the stability of child care providers. Such coordination can also be particularly helpful in the aftermath of disasters when the provision of emergency child care services and the rebuilding and restoring of child care infrastructure are an essential part of ensuring the well-being of children and families in recovering communities. This section identifies who the Lead Agency collaborates with to implement services, how match and maintenance-of-effort (MOE) funds are used, coordination with child care resource and referral (CCR&R) systems, and efforts for disaster preparedness and response plans to support continuity of operations in response to emergencies.