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 availability of child care services is included on the Child Care Services (CCS) application, brochure, and on the Child Care website for parents, providers, and the public. All South Dakota eligible parents new to the child care assistance program are mailed a packet of written materials that include information on other financial programs the family may be eligible for including TANF, SNAP, Head Start, etc. The packet also includes information on other topics such as choosing child care, developmental screenings, etc. A follow-up phone call is made to all these families to explain the information in the packet and how to use it. The Helpline Center is also provided a copy of the resources to share with families who utilize their referral service. These resources are also available to child care providers or the general public at https://dss.sd.gov/childcare/linksandresources/. 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. Child Care in South Dakota is taking a comprehensive approach to disseminating information about research and best practices in child development to parents, providers, and the general public. Here's a breakdown of the various channels through which this information is made available: Child Care Website: The Child Care Services (CCS) website serves as a central hub for accessing information on child development, including resources, classes, and guidelines. This online platform provides easy access for parents, providers, and the general public to stay informed about best practices in child care. Birth to Three Parenting Classes and Resources: Offering parenting classes for parents with children birth to age three that provides resources and practical guidance and support to parents in nurturing their child's development. These classes cover a range of topics such as child health, nutrition, and developmental milestones and offer an interactive and engaging opportunity for parents to learn about child development and parenting techniques. Healthy South Dakota Website: Healthy South Dakota serves as a comprehensive resource for parents, child care providers, and communities on topics related to nutrition, healthy eating, and physical activity. This resource offers practical tips and guidelines for promoting overall health and well-being in children. Direct Emails to Child Care Providers: Direct email communication with child care providers ensures that they stay informed about the latest research and best practices in child development. These emails contain updates, resources, and training opportunities relevant to their role. Distribution and Training Surrounding South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines (ELG): The South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines (ELG) serve as a framework for supporting children's developmental progress. Distributing and providing training on these guidelines ensures that child care providers have the knowledge and tools to promote optimal development in the children they care for. Early Childhood Enrichment (ECE) Training System Offerings: Training offerings through the Early Childhood Education (ECE) training system cover a range of topics, including child development, family child care best practices, and licensed program best practices. These training sessions provide valuable insights and strategies for promoting positive child outcomes. fitCare Program: The fitCare program offers a variety of activities, resources, and handouts that child care providers can use to educate children and their families on the importance of nutrition, physical activity, emotional management, and rest. This program empowers providers to promote holistic health and well-being in the children they serve. By leveraging these various channels and resources, the CCDF lead agency in South Dakota is effectively disseminating information about research and best practices in child development, ultimately supporting the well-being and healthy development of children across the state. 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: Foundational knowledge of social and emotional development is incorporated at various levels of the professional development system. Licensing regulations identify Guidance and Discipline as a specific training topic. Knowledge and application of the early learning and development guidelines, health and safety standards and social and emotional/behavioral and early childhood mental health intervention models, which include positive behavior intervention (based on the Pyramid Model) and other support models are available to providers as stand-alone training series or embedded within other existing training offerings throughout the state. In addition, the SD ECE System provides two online, on-demand training series based on the Pyramid Model - the Preschool Foundations for Social Wellness and Emotional Wellness and the Infant/Toddler Foundations for Social Wellness and Emotional Wellness series. Resources from the National Center on Pyramid Model Innovations are regularly shared with child care providers during training, technical assistance, and coaching opportunities to expand the knowledge and implementation skills of child care providers. Resources to support the social and emotional wellness of children such as the SD Early Learning Guidelines and Learn the Signs Act Early Developmental Milestone checklists are also made available to families and the general public through the Child Care Services website. In addition, resources are provided directly to families through the SD ECE System through birth to three parenting training opportunities and individually through the Social and Emotional Foundations Project. 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: Utilization of Support and Training: Child care providers are encouraged to utilize the support, training, and technical assistance provided through Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. These resources are intended to equip providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage challenging behaviors and create supportive environments for children. Dissemination of Policy Information: The policy information is distributed through various channels to ensure that providers are aware of and understand the expectations. This includes mailing the information to all regulated providers, sharing it during provider webinars and trainings, and including it in handbooks for regulated, informal, and in-home providers. Accessibility: The policy document is made available on the Child Care Services (CCS) website, ensuring accessibility for providers, parents, general public, and other stakeholders. This allows individuals to reference the policy at their convenience and serves as a centralized resource for information related to expulsion and suspension prevention. Training and Education: By providing support, training, and technical assistance, the policy aims to empower child care providers to effectively address challenging behaviors and implement strategies to support children's social and emotional development. This approach promotes a proactive and preventive approach to managing behavior issues in child care settings. Collaborative Efforts: The policy underscores the importance of collaboration between child care providers, ECE programs, and regulatory agencies in promoting positive outcomes for children. By working together and leveraging available resources, providers can better meet the needs of all children in their care. Overall, the policy reflects a commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments in child care settings while addressing the unique needs of children with challenging behaviors. By providing guidance, support, and resources, the policy aims to foster positive outcomes for both children and providers in the child care system. 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: https://dss.sd.gov/docs/childcare/educational_opportunities/Expulsion_Policy.pdf.