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: [ ] 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: [x] No. If no, describe any Lead Agency plans to provide direct child care services through grants and contracts for child care slots: The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) will be analyzing the fiscal impact for all of the federal child care payment rules that became effective in April 2024. DCY will plan to request a 2-year waiver while legislative and rule changes are identified and funding estimates are completed. The State's biennial budget process will begin in the fall of 2024, with the Governor preparing his proposed operating budget for the legislature by early 2025. The final statute and funding will not be known until July 1, 2025. Ohio will then begin implementing the policies that were modified and funded through the state budget process. Changes will also need to be made to Ohio's automated systems to support the use of grants and contracts. A waiver will be submitted by October 1, 2024. 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: [ ] Infants and toddlers. Number of slots allocated through grants or contracts: [ ] 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: [ ] 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? 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: The In Home Aide (IHA) may: care for no more than six children at any one time; No more than three of the children may be under two years of age; Not exceed the maximum capacity at any time; Be the sole provider of care in the child's home; Care for no more than two of the IHA's own children in the child's home. These children are to be counted in the maximum group size of children as designated on the certificate. ii. [x] Restricted based on the in-home provider meeting a minimum age requirement. Describe: The In Home Aide (IHA) must be at least 18 years of age. 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. [ ] Restricted to care for children with special needs or a medical condition. Describe: vi. [ ] Restricted to in-home providers that meet additional health and safety requirements beyond those required by CCDF. Describe: vii. [x] Other. Describe: In-Home Aide (IHA) means a person who does not reside with the child but provides publicly funded child care to a child in the child's own home. The child's home will be inspected by the parent, IHA, and the county agency. Only children authorized to the caretaker in that home along with up to two of the in-home aide's own children may be cared for by the in-home aide, for a total of 6 children 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: Ohio uses the newly built Workforce and Program Analysis Platform to evaluate the number of licensed programs in a specific area (i.e., county zip code) and compares the capacity to serve to the number of children based on Census data. This allows Ohio to make assumptions about program capacity (i.e, operating at 70 percent or 80 percent capacity) to determine where highest needs can be found. ii. Method of tracking progress: Ohio evaluates this data based on specific circumstances or areas (i.e., when a grant program is available) but also reviews this data based on licensing and program utilization on a monthly basis. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes Ohio has issued $15M is state funding to expand access to infant and toddler programming across the state with the goal to increase access by up to 20 percent. Programs were required to submit a grant application to participate with the first payment upon award and the second payment based on serving new children. These grant opportunities were available to both family child care and centers. Another $15M will be put out for grant opportunities in Summer/ Fall 2024. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? Ohio has issued $15M is state funding to expand access to infant and toddler programming across the state with the goal to increase access by up to 20 percent. Programs were required to submit a grant application to participate with the first payment upon award and the second payment based on serving new children. These grant opportunities were available to both family child care and centers. Another $15M will be put out for grant opportunities in Summer/ Fall 2024. b. In different regions of the State or Territory: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Ohio uses the newly built Workforce and Program Analysis Platform to evaluate the number of licensed programs in a specific area (i.e., county zip code) and compares the capacity to serve to the number of children based on Census data. This allows Ohio to make assumptions about program capacity (i.e, operating at 70 percent or 80 percent capacity) to determine where highest needs can be found. ii. Method of tracking progress: Ohio evaluates this data based on specific circumstances or areas (i.e., when a grant program is available) but also reviews this data based on licensing and program utilization on a monthly basis. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? Ohio recently reallocated $85M to create Access grants with the sole intent of expanding existing programs and creating new programs in the most in need areas. The areas that show the highest need were awarded higher points through the review process. These grants were available for family child care to expand capacity from a small program (serving 6 or less) to a large family child care home (serving 12 or less with a staff member). iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? Ohio recently reallocated $85M to create Access grants with the sole intent of expanding existing programs and creating new programs in the most in need areas. The areas that show the highest need were awarded higher points through the review process. These grants were available for all licensed child care centers to expand current businesses or to create new locations as long as the existing business was not in enforcement or provisional status. c. In care for special populations: i. Data sources used to identify shortages: Ohio uses the newly built Workforce and Program Analysis Platform to evaluate the number of licensed programs in a specific area (i.e., county zip code) and compares the capacity to serve to the number of children based on Census data. This allows Ohio to make assumptions about program capacity (i.e, operating at 70 percent or 80 percent capacity) to determine where highest needs can be found. ii. Method of tracking progress: Ohio evaluates this data based on specific circumstances or areas (i.e., when a grant program is available) but also reviews this data based on licensing and program utilization on a monthly basis. iii. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using family child care homes? Ohio recently reallocated $85M to create Access grants with the sole intent of expanding existing programs and creating new programs in the most in need areas. The areas that show the highest need were awarded higher points through the review process. These grants were available for family child care to expand capacity from a small program (serving 6 or less) to a large family child care home (serving 12 or less with a staff member). One of the grant categories included capacity building to serve child with specials needs through training and mentoring. iv. What is the plan to address the child care shortages using child care centers? Ohio recently reallocated $85M to create Access grants with the sole intent of expanding existing programs and creating new programs in the most in need areas. The areas that show the highest need were awarded higher points through the review process. These grants were available for family child care to expand capacity from a small program (serving 6 or less) to a large family child care home (serving 12 or less with a staff member). One of the grant categories included capacity building to serve child with specials needs through training and mentoring. 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: Ohio uses the newly built Workforce and Program Analysis Platform to evaluate the number of licensed programs in a specific area (i.e., county, zip code) and compares the capacity to serve to the number of children based on Census data. This allows Ohio to make assumptions about program capacity (i.e, operating at 70% percent or 80 percent capacity) to determine where the highest needs can be found. To mitigate gaps in this area when funding opportunities are made available areas of highest need are prioritized first, in some cases, funding has been limited to only our most in-need areas. b. Infants and toddlers. Describe: Ohio uses the Workforce and Program Analysis Platform but also monitors the number of children served by age and program type monthly. Through the total of $30M Infant Toddler Infrastructure Grants the goal is to increase access to our youngest Ohioans. c. Children with disabilities. Describe: Ohio monitors the number of children identifying with special needs monthly. Over the last year Ohio has launched the Ohio PROMISE (Promote Resources, Opportunities, and Meaningful Inclusion for children with Special Needs) program specifically created to provide additional training and support to child care providers caring for children with special needs. This provides access to training but also equipment through the Center of Excellence. Through this work Ohio has increased the children served with special needs by 20 percent and continues to evaluate the additional support needed to ensure all children have access to care. Also, the Part B agencies plan in integral role in delivering services to children with disabilities. Teams that manages the Individual Education Plans (IEP) provide on-going consultation to community-based child care providers as part of specifically designed instruction. d. Children who receive care during non-traditional hours. Describe: The number of children paid with the enhanced rate for nontraditional care is tracked and reviewed monthly. Additionally, the State has the ability to search providers providing care during nontraditional hours. Previous recruitment efforts in this space have not proved useful so the State is deploying a public private partnership at the local level that will allow local nonprofits to evaluate and partner directly with child care programs and businesses to create partnerships to meet local needs. e. Other. Specify what population is being focused on to increase supply or improve quality. Describe: Infants and Toddlers- Section 423.105 of Amended Substitute House Bill No. 33 of the 135th General Assembly appropriated $15 million per year for infant and toddler infrastructure grants in communities with high infant mortality rates to rebuild the infant and toddler workforce and to increase access to infant and toddler child care. Children withe disabilities- Licensed early care and education programs can increase access to services by starting new programs, expanding current capacity or making repairs to their existing programs. Programs may also use access grant funds to focus on building capacity and evidence-based supports for children with special needs and evidence-based training for staff and families to best serve children with special needs. Early Childhood Mental Health- Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program objectives are to build protective factors in young children, increase skills of parents and promote the competencies of early childhood providers, especially for children ages birth to six years who are at risk for abuse, neglect, and poor social and emotional health. Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants are available to assist child care programs throughout the state as they experience challenging behaviors with children in their care. This strategy is to increase quality. 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. Currently, any licensed provider can complete a provider agreement to serve children in publicly funded child care. Ohio has a zero copay for any family below 100 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Ohio has equal access to child care for all children eligible as Ohio serves all children without utilizing a waitlist. However, Ohio does recognize the need to ensure all children have access to a high-quality setting which is in line with the mandates established by the Ohio General Assembly in Ohio Revised Code (ORC) sections 5104.29 and 5104.31. ORC requires the Ohio Department Children and Youth receiving public dollars (including CCDF) to be participating in the Step Up To Quality program (SUTQ), unless exempt. Licensed programs are exempt from the SUTQ requirement when: (a) A program operates only during the summer and for not more than fifteen consecutive weeks; (b) A program operates only during school breaks; (c) A program operates only on weekday evenings, weekends, or both; (d) A program holds a provisional license issued under section 5104.03 of the Revised Code; (e) A program had its SUTQ program rating removed by the Department of Job and Family Services within the previous twelve months; (f) A program is the subject of a revocation action initiated by the department, but the license has not yet been revoked. The two departments have identified and are implementing strategies to assist programs in increasing and maintaining their star rating. 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.