1.2 CCDF Policy Decision Authority

The Lead Agency has broad authority to administer (i.e., establish rules) and operate (i.e., implement activities) the CCDF program through other governmental, non-governmental, or public or private local agencies as long as the Lead Agency retains overall responsibility for the administration of the program. Administrative and implementation responsibilities undertaken by agencies other than the Lead Agency must be governed by written agreements that specify the mutual roles and responsibilities of the Lead Agency and other agencies in meeting the program requirements. 1.2.1 Entity establishing CCDF program rules Which of the following CCDF program rules and policies are administered (i.e., set or established) at the State or Territory level or local level? Identify whether CCDF program rules and policies are established by the State or Territory (even if operated locally) or whether the CCDF policies or rules are established by local entities, such as counties or workforce boards. Check one of the following: a. [x] All program rules and policies are set or established by the State or Territory. (If checked, skip to question 1.2.2.) b. [ ] Some or all program rules and policies are set or established by local entities or agencies. If checked, indicate which entities establish the following policies. Check all that apply: i. Eligibility rules and policies (e.g., income limits) are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: ii. Sliding-fee scale is set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: iii. Payment rates and payment policies are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: iv. Licensing standards and processes are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: v. Standards and monitoring processes for license-exempt providers are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: vi. Quality improvement activities, including QIS, are set by the: [ ] State or Territory. [ ] Local entity (e.g., counties, workforce boards, early learning coalitions). [ ] Other. Identify the entity and describe the policies the entity can set: vii. Other. List and describe any other program rules and policies that are set at a level other than the State or Territory level: 1.2.2 Entities implementing CCDF services The Lead Agency has broad authority to operate (i.e., implement activities) through other agencies, as long as it retains overall responsibility for CCDF. Complete the table below to identify which entity(ies) implements or performs CCDF services. Check the box(es) to indicate which entity(ies) implement or perform CCDF services. CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Who conducts eligibility determinations? [x] [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Who assists parents in locating child care (consumer education)? [x] [x] [ ] [x] [ ] Describe: Who issues payments? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Who monitors licensed providers? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: Who monitors license-exempt providers? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Describe: CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Who operates the quality improvement activities? [x] [ ] [ ] [ ] [x] Describe: The Lead Agency collaborates with: • Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (TDCS) facilitates child care for children in state custody or protective services; receives referrals and conducts investigation s regarding alleged child abuse or neglect. • Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) conducts fire inspections of child care facilities. • Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (TDDA) through the State CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) for the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), a voluntary program that offers therapy and other services to infants and young children with development delays or disabilities. • Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) supports improving and expanding child care services emphasizing early care and education and industry partnerships. • Tennessee CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Department of Education (TDOE) on a variety of early education initiatives that includes but is not limited to provision of child care services and voluntary Pre-K. • Tennessee Department of Finance and Administratio n (TDF&A) supports processing of payments to child care agencies and contractors. • Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) conducts general environment al, food service, and immunization inspections of child care facilities. • Tennessee CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) collaborates to facilitate child care services for low-income families through employment and training programs; • Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) facilitates referrals for a protective services category of child care services for children of individuals participating in an approved TDMHSAS program. • Association of Infant Mental Health in CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other Tennessee (AIMHITN) provides supports to child care agencies to address mental health needs of infants/youn g children and families. • The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) provides access to shared services resources and administers enhancemen t, establishmen t, and expansion grants for child care agencies. • Tennessee Child Care Resource and Referral Network (CCR&R) provides CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other training and technical assistance for child care agency staff, family engagement activities, Child Care WAGE$® Tennessee program, family and group home supports and resources, and Tech Goes Home Tennessee program. • Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) provides professional development opportunities for child care agency staff. • University of Tennessee Social Work Office of Research and Public Services (SWORPS) supports CCDF Activity CCDF Lead Agency TANF Agency Local Government Agencies CCR&R Other technology, data collection, analysis, and reporting, and training evaluation. 1.2.3 Information systems availability For any activities performed by agencies other than the Lead Agency as reported above in 1.2.1 and 1.2.2, identify the processes the Lead Agency uses to oversee and monitor CCDF administration and implementation activities to retain overall responsibility for the CCDF program. Check and describe how the Lead Agency includes in its written agreements the required elements. Note: The contents of the written agreement may vary based on the role the agency is asked to assume or type of project but must include, at a minimum, the elements below. a. Tasks to be performed. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency establishes tasks to be performed using written agreements, e.g., grants, contracts, memoranda of agreement/understanding, etc., with agencies and organizations identified at 1.2.1. [ ] No. If no, describe: b. Schedule for completing tasks. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency establishes schedules for completing tasks using written agreements, e.g., grants, contracts, memoranda of agreement/understanding, etc., with agencies and organizations identified at 1.2.1. [ ] No. If no, describe: c. Budget which itemizes categorical expenditures in accordance with CCDF requirements. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency establishes budgets consistent with CCDF expenditures and earmarking requirements using written agreements, e.g., grants, contracts, memoranda of agreement/understanding, etc., with agencies and organizations identified at 1.2.1. [ ] No. If no, describe: d. Indicators or measures to assess performance of those agencies. [x] Yes. If yes, describe: The Lead Agency identifies performance measures using written agreements, e.g., grants, contracts, memoranda of agreement/understanding, etc., with agencies and organizations identified at 1.2.1. [ ] No. If no, describe: e. In addition to the written agreements identified above, describe any other monitoring and auditing processes used to oversee CCDF administration. Please see responses at 10.1.2 and 10.1.5. 1.2.4 Certification of shareable information systems. Does the Lead Agency certify that to the extent practicable and appropriate, any code or software for child care information systems or information technology for which a Lead Agency or other agency expends CCDF funds to develop is made available to other public agencies? This includes public agencies in other States for their use in administering child care or related programs. [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: 1.2.5 Confidential and personally identifiable information Certification of policies to protect confidential and personally identifiable information Does the Lead Agency certify that it has policies in place related to the use and disclosure of confidential and personally identifiable information about children and families receiving CCDF assistance and child care providers receiving CCDF funds? [x] Yes. [ ] No. If no, describe: