9.3 Increasing Engagement and Access to Information

Lead Agencies must collect and disseminate information about the full range of child care services to promote parental choice to parents of children eligible for CCDF, the general public, and child care providers. 9.3.1 Information about CCDF availability and eligibility Describe how the Lead Agency shares information with eligible parents, the general public, and child care providers about the availability of child care services provided through CCDF and other programs for which the family may be eligible. The description should include, at a minimum, what is provided (e.g., written materials, the website, and direct communications) and what approaches are used to tailor information to parents, the general public, and child care providers. The Lead Agency maintains a public website Oklahoma Human Services where information is available on applying for services to include child care assistance. Through the public website, individuals may apply through an online application https://www.okdhslive.org/ . Application may also be made in person at any Oklahoma Human Services office or by contacting the main line listed on the Lead Agency webpage. Information is available through the Child Care Services page that has information relative to parents, providers and the general public https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/child-care-services.html . Child Care Services also sends out a monthly newsletter to all child care providers and includes parents as well. Within this newsletter is information relating to upcoming changes, resources, and events for the community. The Lead Agency has a multitude of publications and resources available on demand and through the website. Recently updated was the Selecting Quality Child Care A Parent’s Guide https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/okdhs/documents/okdhs-publication-library/87-91.pdf this provides useful information including tips to finding care, why qualify matters, as well as applying for child care assistance. This publication is available in Spanish language as well. 9.3.2 Information about child care and other services available for parents Does the Lead Agency certify that it provides information described in 9.3.1 for the following required programs? • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. • Head Start and Early Head Start programs. • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). • Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) program. • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). • Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). • Programs carried out under IDEA Part B, Section 619 and Part C. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 9.3.3 Consumer statement for parents receiving CCDF services Lead Agencies must provide parents receiving CCDF services with a consumer statement in hard copy or electronically that contains general information about the CCDF program and specific information about the child care provider they select. Please certify if the Lead Agency provides parents receiving CCDF services a consumer statement that contains the following 8 requirements: 1. Health and safety requirements met by the provider 2. Licensing or regulatory requirements met by the provider 3. Date the provider was last inspected 4. Any history of violations of these requirements 5. Any voluntary quality standards met by the provider 6. How CCDF subsidies are designed to promote equal access 7. How to submit a complaint through the hotline 8. How to contact a local resource and referral agency or other community-based organization to receive assistance in finding and enrolling in quality child care Does the Lead Agency provide to families, either in hard copy or electronically, a consumer statement that contains the required information about the provider they have selected, including the eight required elements above? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 9.3.4 Informing families about best practices on child development Describe how the Lead Agency makes information available to parents, providers, and the general public on research and best practices concerning children’s development, including physical health and development, and information about successful parent and family engagement. At a minimum, the description should include what information is provided; how the information is provided; any distinct activities for sharing this information with parents, providers, the general public; and any partners in providing this information. Through the Lead Agency web site there is information available to parents, providers, and the general public. Topics readily available include Child Growth and development, Health, Safety and Nutrition, Interactions With Children, and Family Community Partnerships. https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/child-care- services/parents-families/child-development.html . Also, readily available through the Lead Agency website, partner agencies, or by mail are the Oklahoma Early Learning Guidelines. Quality Contracts with the Oklahoma Child Care Resource and Referral offers resources to parents seeking assistance and onsite technical assistance is available to programs throughout the state on a variety of topics including those listed above. Through the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development, free training is available to the program personnel, parents, and the public. Topics available for free include the Pyramid Model framework that is inclusive of social emotional needs of children birth to five. Resources are available through all contracted partners and their websites. 9.3.5 Unlimited parental access to their children Does the Lead Agency have procedures to ensure that parents have unlimited access to their children whenever their children are in the care of a provider who receives CCDF funds: [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 9.3.6 Informing families about best practices in social and emotional health Describe how the Lead Agency shares information with families, providers, and the general public regarding the social-emotional and behavioral and mental health of young children, including positive behavioral intervention and support models based on research and best practices for those from birth to school age: The Lead Agency encourages each child care program to develop policies regarding behavior issues with using positive guidance. Professional development in encouraged that teaches personnel skills and strategies to address social-emotional, behavioral and mental health issues of children in care. Through the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development, Certificate of Achievements are available that assist in encouraging obtainment of these targeted professional development. Through a quality contract, child care providers have access to the Oklahoma Child Care Warmline that offers resources and assistance to dealing issues that may arise within a program. Parents and guardians may also access the resources available through the Warmline. Through the Lead Agency website, resources are available related to these topics, including all ages of children, as well as links to other partner agencies and resources through the state. Website sections include: Parents, and Families; Providers and Educators; and Partners and Public with resources more specific to the audience. 9.3.7 Policies on the prevention of the suspension and expulsion of children a. The Lead Agency must have policies to prevent the suspension and expulsion of children from birth to age 5 in child care and other early childhood programs receiving CCDF funds. Describe those policies and how those policies are shared with families, providers, and the general public: The Lead Agency require programs to have expulsion policy in minimum licensing requirements. (Licensing Requirements for Family Child Care Homes and Large Child Care Homes OAC 340:110-3-89.1. Parent communication and in Licensing Requirements for Child Care Programs 340:110-3-278 Policy). Each program is required to provide policies to parents, and they are encouraged to construct these to meet individual program needs. On the Lead Agency consumer website, resources are available to the public that include expulsion prevention to assist caregivers, parents and the public when dealing with challenging behaviors. Resources include links for additional services agencies and entities. Caregivers are encouraged to complete professional development on children with challenging behaviors and an Oklahoma Registry Certificate of Achievement and Stipend is available upon successful completion of target professional development concentrated on approaches to managing challenging behavior. b. Describe what policies, if any, the Lead Agency has to prevent the suspension and expulsion of school-age children from child or youth care settings receiving CCDF funds: The Lead Agency require programs to have expulsion policy in minimum licensing requirements. ( Licensing Requirements for Child Care Programs 340:110-3-278 Policy). Each program is required to provide policies to parents, and they are encouraged to construct these to meet individual program needs. On the Lead Agency consumer website, resources are available to the public that include expulsion prevention to assist caregivers, parents and the public when dealing with challenging behaviors. Resources include links for additional services agencies and entities. Caregivers are encouraged to complete professional development on children with challenging behaviors and an Oklahoma Registry Certificate of Achievement and Stipend is available upon successful completion of target professional development concentrated on approaches to managing challenging behavior.