8.1 Coordination with Partners to Expand Accessibility and Continuity of Care

Lead Agencies must coordinate child care services supported by CCDF with other federal, State/Territory, and local level programs. This includes programs for the benefit of Indian children, infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, children experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. 8.1.1 Coordination with required and optional partners Describe how the Lead Agency coordinates and the results of this coordination of the provision of child care services with the organizations and agencies to expand accessibility and continuity of care and to assist children enrolled in early childhood programs in receiving full-day services that meet the needs of working families. The Lead Agency must coordinate with the following agencies: a. State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care or similar coordinating body (pursuant to 642B(b)(I)(A)(i) of the Head Start Act). Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The state's Early Learning Advisory Committe (ELAC) provides input and recommendations to DCYF on statewide early learning community needs and progress. ELAC representatives from around the state meet monthly to provide input and recommendations to DCYF so strategies and actions are well-informed and broadly supported by parents, child care providers, health and safety experts, and interested members of the public. ELAC members represent Washington's regionally, culturally, and racially diverse communities, including members from public, nonprofit, and for-profit entities. b. Indian Tribe(s) and/or Tribal organization(s), at the option of the Tribe or Tribal organization. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination, including which Tribe(s) was (were) involved: DCYF engages in the following collaboration activities with Tribal Nations: Tribal Nations and DCYF convene an Indian Policy Early Learning (IPEL) committee which includes delegates from many of Washington's 29 federally recognized Tribes, at their election. IPEL was established in 2013 following recommendations of native Tribal leaders with the goal to assist the collective needs of the Tribal governments to assure quality and comprehensive service delivery to all American Indians and Alaska Natives in Washington State. Each Federally Recognized Tribe of Washington State may determine one delegate by Tribal resolution and determine any amount of alternates that they desire. Regular meetings of IPEL convene every other month and are held at a place established by IPEL or the Executive Committee. - DCYF further coordinates with Indian tribes through the Tribal Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC). Established in the fall of 2018, TPAC is comprised of representatives from the federally recognized tribes of Washington State. Tribes select committee representatives who may serve on subcommittees for child welfare, early learning, and juvenile justice. The TPAC and its subcommittees primarily focus on DCYF program and administrative policies that directly affect Indian tribes. Its goals are to identify potential issues for round table and consultation and guide implementation of the DCYF Administrative Policy Chapter 10.03, and the Centennial Accord (TPAC subcommittees can bring recommendations to TPAC should an issue arise regarding the implementation of the Policy and/or the Accord). As a result of this coordination, access to continuous, high quality early learning for Indian youth and families increases, and DCYF makes progress on its overarching goal that all children are kindergarten ready, and ready for success later in life, with race not a predictor of success. Coordination and collaboration also support Tribal sovereignty. [ ] Not applicable. Check here if there are no Indian Tribes and/or Tribal organizations in the State/Territory. c. State/Territory agency(ies) responsible for programs for children with disabilities, including early intervention programs authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: DCYF is the lead agency for Part C, and its program is called Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT), which is also represented on ELAC by the program administrator. ESIT works with the Early Achievers team to remove barriers for early learning programs, and to support provider inclusion and full participation of ESIT enrolled children in typical child care settings. ESIT recognizes the challenges for families around transitions and prioritizes transitions from birth to three services to preschool and other early learning programs for policy development and training. ESIT collaborates with DCYF's state-funded preschool and Head Start program to support and strengthen this process. Results of coordination with ESIT are that children birth to 3 with developmental delays or disabilities are able to be active and successful during the early childhood years and in the future in a variety of settings￿in their homes, in child care, in preschool or school programs, and in their communities. d. State/Territory office/director for Head Start State collaboration. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Head Start Collaboration Office is housed within the Federal Initiatives and Collaboration team at DCYF, which included CCDF and Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five administration as well. The Administrator (Director) is a member of ELAC and works closely with the CCDF Administrator, coordinating meetings on shared projects, communicating by email, phone, and in-person meetings. In addition, the Head Start Collaboration Office works closely with Early Head Start and Head Start programs that offer services to families receiving Working Connections Child Care subsidies to provide information from, and feedback to, the CCDF Administrator. Results of the coordination include expanded services and enhanced quality for infant and toddler center-based services; increasing alignment of standards across licensing, Early Head Start and Head Start, Early Achievers and ECEAP so that the ECE system has a unified set of regulations that are easy to understand by providers in the field; expansion and access of high quality workforce and career development opportunities for staff; and increased participation of Early Head Start and Head Start programs in Early Achievers. e. State/Territory agency responsible for public health, including the agency responsible for immunizations. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: DCYF and Department of Health (DOH) leaders meet regularly to collaborate on public health issues impacting young children and families. DOH is represented on ELAC and DOH and DCYF jointly manage the Essentials for Childhood Initiative, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collective impact effort to promote safe, stable and nurturing environments for children. DOH provided current evidence-based recommendations to DCYF on a variety of health and safety topics included in the revision of the state’s child care licensing standards. f. State/Territory agency responsible for employment services/workforce development. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: DCYF coordinates with agencies responsible for employment services/workforce development with the goal of improving access to continuous, high quality early learning opportunities so that all children arrive to kindergarten ready to succeed. DCYF also shares these agencies’ goals to address intergenerational poverty, strengthening integration between early learning and family economic prosperity programs. Finally, coordination assists the goal of preventing childhood trauma and interaction with the child welfare system by supporting family needs. As a result of coordination with agencies responsible for employment services/workforce development are increased provision of high quality child care for children. This helps children improve their kindergarten readiness while supporting parents with child care costs. Various Washington agencies’ and groups’ work centers on employment services and workforce development, from DSHS Community Service Division, to the Employment Security Department (ESD), Department of Commerce (Commerce), and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. DCYF coordinates with DSHS, ESD, and Commerce through participation in the Workfirst Partnership Team Meeting that meets twice monthly to discuss cross-agency goals, priorities, and activities addressing intergenerational poverty, workforce development, early childhood education. Increased access to high quality, continuous early learning opportunities result from this coordination. g. State/Territory agency responsible for public education, including pre-Kindergarten. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Office of the Superintendent of Public Schools (OSPI) is responsible for public education, and DCYF administers state-funded preK through its Early Childhood Education and Assistance (ECEAP) program. DCYF therefore coordinates with OSPI with the goal of expanding access to high quality programs for children birth through age five years, with emphasis on preK, toward its goal of kindergarten readiness for all Washington children. The result of this coordination with OSPI is that children are increasingly able to successfully transition from early learning to K-12 education. h. State/Territory agency responsible for child care licensing. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: DCYF’s Licensing Division is responsible for child care licensing. The result of internal DCYF coordination of licensing activities is increased promotion of quality early learning experiences, health, safety, and positive development for children receiving care in licensed settings. Coordination occurs through regular Leadership Team meetings, Communications division internal notifications of program actions that impact licensors’ work, and standing and ad hoc project meetings involving multiple DCYF divisions. i. State/Territory agency responsible for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and other relevant nutrition programs. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The DCYF Health Systems Analyst frequently coordinates with OSPI Child Nutrition Staff with the result that the programs in the DCYF book of services have their nutritional needs met. Some child care licensors have established relationships with local CACFP Sponsors or Specialists and others have not. DCYF recognizes that regular coordination should occur both in the field and administratively and therefore works with OSPI leadership to improve coordination between the two agencies in this area. j. McKinney-Vento State coordinators for homeless education and other agencies providing services for children experiencing homelessness and, to the extent practicable, local McKinney-Vento liaisons. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: DCYF coordinates with OSPI’s McKinney-Vento State Coordinator for Homeless Education by periodically attending and participating in McKinney-Vento Liaison training, and through collaboration on specific projects impacting families experiencing homelessness. DCYF assists the State Coordinator on, e.g., data requests regarding families experiencing homelessness participating in DCYF administered programs. DCYF works with the Coordinator and CCA to develop training and technical assistance to providers on identifying and serving children and their families experiencing homelessness. As a result of the collaboration, providers are assisted to serve children and families experiencing homelessness, and access to quality early learning programs for families and children experiencing homelessness expands so more children, including the most vulnerable, arrive to kindergarten ready to learn, impacting their later academic and professional success. k. State/Territory agency responsible for the TANF program. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: DSHS administers Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in Washington State, and DCYF coordinates with DSHS on TANF funding as it pertains to CCSP. Results of this coordination include expanded access to high quality early learning experiences, marked by continuity of care, for low income families, including families receiving TANF, working toward self-sufficiency. DSHS brings the state closer to DCYF’s vision of kindergarten readiness through coordination on funding impacting programs that provide families a choice of subsidized child care options that are increasingly accessible, culturally responsive, and data-driven. l. State/Territory agency responsible for Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is the agency responsible for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) administration. HCA collaborates with DCYF to leverage and maximize Medicaid reimbursement for medically needy allowable services for early learning programs and services. In addition, a cross agency workgroup led by OSPI called Healthy Students, Promising Futures, includes HCA, DOH, and DCYF to explore potential expansion of health care services and increased Medicaid reimbursement for services performed in a school setting. As a result of the coordination, more families and children are connected to Medicaid benefits and health insurance through CHIP. m. State/Territory agency responsible for mental health services. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: HCA is designated as the state behavioral health authority, while DOH licenses behavioral health service providers, and DSHS has authority over the operation and maintenance of the state hospitals. DCYF works to create a system of mental health consultation throughout the state to provide technical assistance, treatment services, and referrals for the birth to five population served in programs administered by DCYF. n. Child care resource and referral agencies, child care consumer education organizations, and providers of early childhood education training and professional development. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: DCYF contracts with CCA, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every child in Washington has access to high-quality child care and early learning programs. CCA influences child care and early learning policy while also delivering the means to make a positive difference for all children, including those furthest from opportunity. The goal of this partnership is to provide thorough and independent information and support for families seeking quality child care, for child care programs seeking to improve quality, and for effective policymaking. The vision for this partnership is every family in Washington having access to high-quality early learning choices for their children, and every child care program having the resources and support needed to help prepare children for success in life. DCYF works with Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington to develop and deliver workforce trainings and resources on a variety of ECE topics, provide train the trainers for statewide professional development infrastructure and support professional development and consultation of ECE coaches working with programs on quality improvement. Additionally, DCYF contracts with other professional development organizations supporting providers with mentorship, paid substitutes, and community-based professional development initiatives. o. Statewide afterschool network or other coordinating entity for out-of-school time care (if applicable). Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: DCYF coordinates with School’s Out Washington, a statewide afterschool network that provides services and guidance for organizations to ensure all young people have safe places to learn and grow when they are not in school. DCYF and School’s Out are dedicated to building community systems to support quality afterschool programs for Washington through training, advocacy and leadership. All programs in the state of Washington that serve children age 5 to 18 years outside of formal school hours are eligible to receive services from School’s Out Washington. With support from DCYF, School’s Out Washington hosts an annual two-day conference, The Bridge from School to Afterschool and Back. The conference focuses on helping schools and afterschool programs work together to support children and youth. Each year, nationally recognized speakers, researchers, and advocates present materials on best practices, cutting-edge information, and useful tools. Participants come from around the country to learn from presenters and to network with others in the field. Finally, through its partnership with School’s Out Washington, DCYF works with the expanded learning opportunity intermediary to ensure the Expanded Learning Opportunities Quality Initiative continues to support providers to serve school-age children. School’s Out Washington was founded in 1987 as an intermediary focused on fostering culturally responsive, high quality, and intentional out of school time learning activities and environments. DCYF works with the intermediary to provide professional development opportunities for school-age child care providers and to solicit input and direction from school-age child care providers on needs related to system building efforts, professional development, and strategies to serve school-age children. p. Agency responsible for emergency management and response. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Washington agency responsible for emergency management under Chapter 38.52 RCW is the Military Department-Emergency Management Division. The Director of the Military Department is responsible to the Governor for carrying out the program for emergency management in Washington. The state level emergency coordination goals and process for DCYF (and all state agencies, commissions, boards, and councils) is explained in detail in the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). Under the CEMP, DCYF is a critical mass care partner and is expected to participate in all activities stipulated under the Plan in support of the entire cycle of emergency management ￿ preparedness, response, and recovery. This includes participation by DCYF executive leadership as well as designated planning and response personnel. Key expectations for DCYF under the CEMP include agency level continuity of operations planning; working collaboratively with other state agencies participating in state level assessments, planning, training, and exercises; reassigning and mobilizing all available agency resources when so directed by the Governor to support a state level response; and most importantly, staffing the mass care desk at the State Emergency Operations Center when required in support of any disaster impacted jurisdiction's or tribe’s emergency response. As a result of this coordination, DCYF is prepared to support continuity of operations in concert with other state agencies in the event of a statewide emergency. q. The following are examples of optional partners a Lead Agency might coordinate with to provide services. Check which optional partners the Lead Agency coordinates with and describe the coordination and results of the coordination. i. [ ] State/Territory/local agencies with Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership grants. Describe: ii. [ ] State/Territory institutions for higher education, including community colleges. Describe: iii. [ ] Other federal, State, local, and/or private agencies providing early childhood and school-age/youth-serving developmental services. Describe: iv. [x] State/Territory agency responsible for implementing the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) programs grant. Describe: DCYF oversees the Home Visiting Services Account (HVSA) that brings together state, federal, and private dollars to support a portfolio of evidence and research based, promising home visiting programs. As a result of this coordination, 2,200 families, many of whom live in some of the state's most vulnerable communities, are in home visiting programs funded by the state's HVSA. Washington specifically emphasizes reaching the most vulnerable geographic and racial/ethnic groups, focusing on families with children prenatal through age three years. A specific focus includes assessing and cultivating interest in, and capacity for, implementation of high quality home visiting in Tribal communities. Increased access to home visiting in these communities is a result of this focus. v. [ ] Agency responsible for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Program. Describe: vi. [x] State/Territory agency responsible for child welfare. Describe: DCYF coordinates the eligibility for child care subsidy with children receiving protected services. Children returning to their biological family are transitioned to CCDF funded child care ensuring continuity of care. vii. [x] Child care provider groups or associations. Describe: DCYF solicits feedback regarding policy and service delivery with provider groups and SEIU 925, which represents licensed family homes and FFN providers. The State of Washington collectively bargains with SEIU 925. viii. [x] Parent groups or organizations. Describe: DCYF solicits feedback regarding policy and service delivery with parent groups. The goals are to improve family access to high quality care. DCYF coordinates with the Parent Advisory Group (PAG) and Washington Association of Head Start and ECEAP's Parent Ambassadors group, providing a sounding board for decisions, ideas and questions that shape the future of DCYF programs. DCYF believes parental involvement in decision- making is key to policies and programs that support families’ strengths and needs. The results are improved and clarified policy and rules. ix. [ ] Title IV B 21st Century Community Learning Center Coordinators. Describe: x. [ ] Other. Describe: