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? [x] 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: Parents have the option of enrolling a child directly with the contracted provider or enrolling the child under a certificate care provider (cannot use both types for the same child). Parents with multiple children can choose the appropriate care setting for each child and enroll through either certificate, contracted slot (OST/OSR), or wraparound (Head Start/Early Head Start) care. The CCR&R agencies which administer the subsidy program in Nevada on the lead agency's behalf hold the contracts with the OST and EHS/HS organizations. The CCR&R agencies are provided budget amounts for these contracts set by the lead agency which allow the contracted providers to serve a specific number of CCDF-eligible children. These contracted slots are only available to CCDF-eligible children. [ ] 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: [ ] 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. [ ] Children with disabilities. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [x] Infants and toddlers. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: 310 [ ] Children in underserved geographic areas. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] Children needing non-traditional hour care. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [x] School-age children. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: 816 [ ] 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? Effective July 1, 2022, Head Start/Wraparound programs for infants/toddlers received an increase in their daily reimbursement rate to the 95th percentile of the 2018 MRS. Head Start/Wraparound programs will receive the base rate (1 Star Rating) regardless of their participation in Nevada's QRIS. Effective July 1, 2023, all Out-of-School Time (OST) and Out-of-School Recreational Providers (OSR) received an increase in their daily reimbursement rate to reflect current market prices for OST/OSR care in Nevada. 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. [x] 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: To provide in-home care, a license-exempt provider must care for a minimum of two (2) children and no more than four (4) children. ii. [x] Restricted based on the in-home provider meeting a minimum age requirement. Describe: To provide in-home care, a license-exempt 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: A license-exempt provider caring for a child with special needs may live in the child's home. vi. [ ] Restricted to in-home providers that meet additional health and safety requirements beyond those required by CCDF. Describe: vii. [x] Other. Describe: The provider may not be the natural parent or guardian of the child and may not be both a provider and a child care scholarship recipient. 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: Census, licensing capacity reports, reporting from early childhood stakeholder groups, child care desert data, and comparison of supply and demand data. ii. Method of tracking progress: Monitoring child care desert data, monitoring data regarding licensed supply of infant/toddler slots, and comparison of supply and demand data. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes DWSS/CCDP has established two (2) physical and a virtual shared services hubs to help license-exempt and small providers become licensed family and group care homes, to provide start up grants to new providers, to provide access to lending, and to provide technical support to help family and group care homes sustain their businesses to help address the child care shortages in our community. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? DWSS/CCDP has established two (2) physical and a virtual shared services hubs to provide technical assistance to any child care provider going through the licensure process, including providing access to start up grants for new providers, to provide access to lending, and to provide technical support to help Centers establish, grow, and sustain their businesses to help address the child care shortages in our community. b. In different regions of the State or Territory: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Comparison of supply (licensing data) and demand (American Community Survey) data by county and zip codes, with a focus in zip codes with a large percentage of vulnerable families. ii. Method of tracking progress: Monitoring child care desert data, monitoring data regarding licensed supply of infant/toddler slots, and comparison of supply and demand data. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? DWSS/CCDP has established two (2) physical and a virtual shared services hubs to help license-exempt and small providers become licensed family and group care homes, to provide start up grants to new providers, to provide access to lending, and to provide technical support to help family and group care homes sustain their businesses to help address the child care shortages in our community. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? DWSS/CCDP has established two (2) physical and a virtual shared services hubs to provide technical assistance to any child care provider going through the licensure process, including providing access to start up grants for new providers, to provide access to lending, and to provide technical support to help Centers establish, grow, and sustain their businesses to help address the child care shortages in our community. c. In care for special populations: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Census, licensing capacity reports, reporting from early childhood stakeholder groups, child care desert data, and demand (American Community Survey) data by county and zip codes, with a focus in zip codes with a large percentage of vulnerable families. ii. Method of tracking progress: Monitoring data from pilot slot programs for children with special health care needs and ongoing analysis of supply & demand data. Supply data is gathered from the CCR&R database to capture providers serving special populations (e.g., non-traditional hours, children and youth with special health care needs, infant & toddlers). iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? DWSS/CCDP has established two (2) physical and a virtual shared services hubs to help license-exempt and small providers become licensed family and group care homes, to provide start up grants to new providers, to provide access to lending, and to provide technical support to help family and group care homes sustain their businesses to help address the child care shortages in our community. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? DWSS/CCDP has established two (2) physical and a virtual shared services hubs to provide technical assistance to any child care provider going through the licensure process, including providing access to start up grants for new providers, to provide access to lending, and to provide technical support to help Centers establish, grow, and sustain their businesses to help address the child care shortages in our community. 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: Compare American Community Survey (demand) data with Licensing Capacity reports and CCR&R data which is informed by local reporting from stakeholder groups who live and work in underserved geographic areas. DWSS/CCDP is working with stakeholders to develop strategies for increasing supply/quality in underserved geographic areas, such as offering contracted slots for providers serving children during non-traditional hours. This strategy was piloted using ARPA Discretionary funds and is currently being evaluated with results expected in October 2024. b. Infants and toddlers. Describe: Compare American Community Survey (demand) data with Licensing Capacity reports and CCR&R data which is informed by local reporting from stakeholder groups who are familiar with supply shortages for infants/toddlers specifically. DWSS/CCDP is working with stakeholders to develop strategies for increasing supply/quality for infant/toddler care, such as offering contracted slots for providers to incentivize the creation of more infant/toddler slots. This strategy was piloted using ARPA Discretionary funds and is currently being evaluated with results expected in October 2024. c. Children with disabilities. Describe: Compare American Community Survey (demand) data with Licensing Capacity reports and CCR&R data which is informed by local reporting from stakeholder groups who are familiar with supply shortages for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) specifically. DWSS/CCDP is working with stakeholders to develop strategies for increasing supply/quality for care for CYSHCN, such as offering contracted slots for providers to incentivize the creation of more CYSHCN slots. This strategy was piloted using ARPA Discretionary funds and is currently being evaluated with results expected in October 2024. d. Children who receive care during non-traditional hours. Describe: Compare American Community Survey (demand) data with Licensing Capacity reports and CCR&R data which is informed by local reporting from stakeholder groups who live and work in underserved geographic areas. DWSS/CCDP is working with stakeholders to develop strategies for increasing supply/quality in underserved geographic areas, such as offering contracted slots for providers serving children during non-traditional hours. This strategy was piloted using ARPA Discretionary funds and is currently being evaluated with results expected in October 2024. e. Other. Specify what population is being focused on to increase supply or improve quality. Describe: DWSS/CCDP is partnering with the Nevada Afterschool Network to analyze care options, increase supply of, and improve the quality of care offered by OST/OSR providers. 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. DWSS/CCDP identifies the number of families living under the Federal Poverty Level by zip code or county to define high concentrations of poverty. DWSS/CCDP is targeting these populations through Head Start Programs, one-stop shops, and QRIS implementation. Populations including TANF NEON, wraparound, those experiencing homelessness, and families involved in CPS / Foster Care are provided priority access to quality child care. 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.