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. https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/child-care-services/laws-rules-standards/ccfd.html The annual Quality Progress Report is posted on the Lead Agency website and updated annually. 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. Primary support for professional development opportunities is provided through the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development (CECPD). These include monthly training opportunities offered at no cost as well as free Pyramid Model Training. The CECPD is the clearing house for professional development of child care providers within the state, approving educators, training sponsors and courses to ensure they meet the standards as set by the Lead Agency. The CECPD also manages the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR) where professional development and educational achievements are tracked. Additional professional development opportunities are available through the Oklahoma Child Care Resources and Referral regional offices, Child Care Services Quality Coaches and Licensing Specialists. ii. Developing, maintaining, or implementing early learning and developmental guidelines. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Oklahoma has established Early Learning Guidelines for ages 3 ￿ 5 and for Infants, Toddlers, and twos. The CECPD is responsible for ensuring that all educators meet criteria for conducting the courses with training materials updated as needed. The Lead Agency requires the Master Teachers and Primary Caregivers participating in the state Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) complete ELG trainings. 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. The Lead Agency supports QRIS system by increasing subsidy payments based on QRIS star level. Oklahoma Child Care Quality Coaches work to support programs participating in the QRIS system by providing coaching and training to support quality criteria 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. Through the Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral, regional Infant & Toddler Specialist are available to offer services to programs serving children within this category. Supports include: professional development, technical assistance, referrals to additional resources. Through the CECPD professional development registry, Pyramid model training is offered free of charge and include modules for infant-toddler. Professional Development Certificate of Achievement in Infant/Toddler care is available for successful completion of targeted professional development. 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. Through a quality contract with Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral, seven regional R & R agencies provide services to the entire state and to all licensed programs. Services include management of referrals and resources for parents, technical assistance to providers, state Infant Toddler Specialist, Technical Assistance Specialist, Business Coaches, Staffed Family Child Care Home Network THRIVE, Hispanic services, and outreach/re-connect events. 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. The Lead Agency is responsible for monitoring licensed programs. Licensing Specialist monitor for compliance with minimum health and safety requirements. 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. The Lead Agency conducts a bi-annual customer service survey that goes out to all licensed child care programs with encouragement to share with parents of children cared for by the programs. Licensed programs provide input of supports that are offered and effectiveness of these supports. viii. Accreditation support. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. The Lead Agency provides accreditation supports for licensed family child care home providers through participation with the Staffed Family Child Care Home Network THRIVE. ix. Supporting State/Territory or local efforts to develop high-quality program standards relating to health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. Through the CECPD quality contract, professional development certificate of achievement is available for Health Children in Child Care and Cultivating Growth and Well Being. This are established to encourage licensed program personnel to obtain training in these targeted areas. The state QRIS requires enhancement activities in health and physical wellness, and nutrition to reach the highest star levels. These programs are monitored for compliance in those areas. 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. [ ] No plans to spend in this category of activities at this time. [x] Yes. If yes, describe current and future investments. The Lead Agency responds to the industry needs, implementing additional programs and strategies as funding allows. 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.