Page 23

23

1.3. Expectations for Local Departments of Social

Services

A. Community Coordination

Local departments of social services (LDSS) must coordinate child care services with local child care resource and referral agencies, early childhood programs, public schools, private providers, and other community organizations involved in early childhood development. This coordination supports increased awareness of the Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP), enhances parental choice, improves the quality and availability of child care, and strengthens local service integration. LDSS must also engage with their designated Ready Region to align services and improve access to early childhood programs. Ready Regions coordinate quality improvement, coordinated enrollment, and access to services across all publicly funded birth-to-five programs, including the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), Early Childhood Special Education, Head Start/Early Head Start, and CCSP providers. They also support private providers who choose to participate in VQB5. Local departments should be aware of coordinated enrollment efforts in their Ready Region and be prepared to connect CCSP providers with the appropriate regional contact for support with VQB5 participation. B. Training Requirements for Child Care Workers and Supervisors

The Virginia Administrative Code (8VAC20-790-130) requires that LDSS staff with responsibilities for implementing the Child Care Subsidy Program complete guidance training and other training as required by the Department. Child care classroom, webinar and online courses are designed to strengthen the skills of all Child Care Workers. Additional training resources are located on FUSION and the Virginia Learning Center (VLC). The class schedules and registration are available through the VLC.

Workers should refer to FUSION for the current training path.