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: The Lead Agency conducts a customer service survey every two years, and a quality initiative survey at least every three years. Survey links are sent out on an agency listserv that includes parents and licensed programs. Programs are encouraged to share the survey link with parents as well. Lead Agency executive staff are provided the final survey results for review and input on next steps. Child Care Services management review all the results and comments provided. From this review, determination is made into what, if any changes should be made and as an evaluation of the effectiveness of invested quality initiatives. 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: The most recent quality survey was completed in 2024. Results were received representative of all programs sub-types with the primary responses being received from family child care homes and large family child care homes. Results indicated that when a program needs support for the state Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), they seek out first their licensing specialist and then their QRIS specialist. When information is sought for quality standards, again the first point of contact is with their licensing specialist and second is with the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development (CECPD). Most programs provide traditional hours of care and participate in QRIS. The results indicated that the majority of providers appreciate the free and low-cost professional development opportunities that are provided by the Lead Agency with a majority agree/strongly agree that there are professional development opportunities available to them. Overwhelmingly number of providers (95%) feel they can effectively use the state Early Learning Guidelines. Many of the commentors stated that the Lead Agency provided grants helped to improve their environment and quality that were usually too costly to afford. Results from the professional development survey on training topics that would most benefit providers will be used in development of future trainings and professional development stipend bundles. Overall, Child Care Services was pleased with the number of responses and the indicated support for invested quality activities.