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 lead agency has official representation and a decision-making role in the State Advisory Council. The State Advisory Council membership is as follows: - The Division of Early Care and Education (ECE) - The Department of Education - Local Education Agencies - Institutions of Higher Education - Local child care providers - Local ECE services and program staff - The Head Start State Association - The Head Start Office of Collaboration - Early Head Start Programming - West Virginia Birth to Three - West Virginia Department of Education Office of Special Programs - In Home Family Education Community - Early Childhood Advocate Community - The Pediatric Medical Community - The Family Child Care Community - The Child Welfare Community - The Governor's Office - The Labor Community The Council meets quarterly to collaborate on early childhood initiatives in the state. The Division Director, Lisa Ertl, provided an informational spot light on the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) re-authorization. Early Childhood Education and Care (ECAC) members. Goals for coordination include: - Goal 1: The Council will provide strong leadership for the development of a high quality system of early childhood development through collaborative planning, action, and evaluation. - Goal 2: A full array of high-quality early childhood services will be available to families throughout the state. Under this goal are two objectives - Improve access to services that young children and their families need to thrive; and - Increase and enhance continuous quality improvement efforts throughout the ECD system. - Goal 3: West Virginia's early learning standards will be used throughout the ECD system. - Goal 4: The ECE workforce will have the knowledge and skills needed to meet the needs of young children and their families, as well as opportunities to advance their careers. - Goal 5: Families will have knowledge of and access to the resources they need to be involved in decisions about the services, programs, and policies that affect them. This goal has two objectives: - Increase parent knowledge of and access to the full range of services and support they need for their families; and - Strengthen the roles of parents in decisions about services for their children and about policies and programs that affect their families. - Goal 6: ECE system planning, development, and evaluation will be based on sound data and research and will enhance the availability and use of timely and credible data and research to improve the state's early childhood development system and increase the use of common data across systems in the planning and evaluation of the early childhood development system. - Goal 7: The public and policymakers will be knowledgeable and supportive of effective ECE programs and policies. 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: [x] 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: The Division of Early Care and Education participates in a state level early childhood advisory council. The WV Department of Education, Office of Special Programs, WV Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, WV Birth to Three sits at the Advisory Council table and is part of all collaborative efforts. The early childhood advisory council provides leadership for a coordinated statewide integrates system of comprehensive early interventions services and prevention awareness for children with disabilities and at-risk children birth through five. The Lead Agency consults with the WV DoE Office of Special Programs which has oversight of Part C and Part B-619 through the advisory council. All advisory councils share a variety of topics, all with the intention of enhancing coordination and collaboration including trainings, networking and other cross- agency opportunities. When the Lead Agency revises policy that might affect families with children with disabilities or has an opportunity to enhance services to this population, it consults with both WV Birth to Three and the Office of Special Programs. In turn, these agencies keep the Lead Agency informed about issues, policies and changes that could affect child care. d. State/Territory office/director for Head Start State collaboration. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Head Start State Collaboration Office is housed with the Division of Early Care and Education. The West Virginia Head Start State Collaboration office (HSsCO) is an office within the West Virginia Department of Human Services Division of Early Care and Education and is an executive member of the West Virginia Early Childhood Advisory Council along with the Division of Early Care and Education and West Virginia Department of Education’s PreK. This proximity allows for close collaboration with the CCDF state administrators and Division Director. This allows Head Start to voice concerns and challenges and be part of initiatives and resolutions designed to bring the early care and education system together. The Lead Agency and the WV HSSCO work together in establishing effective partnerships within West Virginia’s childcare system. The HSSCO continues work with established Early Head Start/Child Care Partnership grantees through monitoring and evaluation, sharing that monitoring and evaluation with key lead agency staff to make those partnerships stronger and to increase their quality. These partnerships promote continuity of care and meet the full-day service needs of working families. The WV HSSCO continues to support and strengthen the existing partnerships between Head Start and the Department of Human Services (DoHS). In the 2022 legislative session, bill 4662 was passed. This bill will allow any Head Start agency with an active Notice of Award from the Office of Head Start to request to be a deemed childcare center licensed to operate a childcare program for the sole purpose of utilizing the West Virginia Clearance for Access: Registry and Employment Screenings program. Head Start recipients, WV HSSCO and DoHS, continue to work closely together to ensure the safety of children and families while eliminating dual workloads. The continued partnership with WVHSCO and DoHS will aid in efficient processes being developed, streamlined, and brought before legislation in the coming year. The WVHSA and the WV HSSCO will continue to work with all partners to ensure all required laws, standards and licensing regulations are aligned. e. State/Territory agency responsible for public health, including the agency responsible for immunizations. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health’s Department of Health, which has representation on the WV Early Childhood Advisory Council, along with the Division of Early Care and Education coordinate regarding a variety of topics, including inspections, licensing and providing safe and healthy environments for children. The Lead Agencies child care regulation unit consulted with the Department of Health regarding the grace period allowed to obtain immunization records for families experiencing homelessness and agreed on the grace period allowed to obtain immunization records for families experiencing homelessness. The Public Health Division also provides subject matter experts to review safe sleep and other health and safety training and reviewed and helped revise West Virginia’s 2024 Statewide Child Care Disaster Plan. The Public Health Division has also provided guidance on revised regulation in relation to medical cannabis use, childhood lead poisoning and the Health Check (the early periodic screening diagnosis and treatment) screenings. The collaboration between the Lead Agency and the Bureau for Public Health ensures all providers have access to the most up to date information. f. State/Territory agency responsible for employment services/workforce development. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Lead Agency partners with workforce development to promote the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist to increase workforce knowledge and skills. It also partners to ensure adequate child care is available to all industries in the state. g. State/Territory agency responsible for public education, including pre-Kindergarten. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Lead Agency partners with the Department of Education to ensure universal access to public Pre K in school, Head Start and community settings is available to all four year olds. The Department of Education is a partner on ECAC. h. State/Territory agency responsible for child care licensing. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Early Childhood Licensing unit is housed within the Lead Agency’s Division of Early Care and Education. Coordination between subsidy and child care licensing includes data sharing and regular meetings to ensure CCDF compliance. The Lead Agency’s child care licensing unit ensures that all licensing rules and regulations are being met by licensed and registered child care providers across the state. There is ongoing coordination between child care subsidy, quality and the child care regulations units related to all aspects of the CCDF program. The Division meets formally bi-monthly to discuss all aspects of the CCDF program and how initiatives, revisions, policies and procedures need to be coordinated to not affect other aspects of the Lead Agency’s CCDF program. Licensing regulations include group size and ratio requirements and continuity of care practices. In addition, the rules address all parts of the day to ensure families are receiving the type of care they need at the times it is needed. The Lead Agency works with the regulation unit to ensure certificates of registration and license applications are succinct and are processed within a 60 day period so providers can open and begin providing services timely. 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 Lead Agency partners with CACFP to connect providers to additional financial supports for their programs and to support healthy meals for children. 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: The Division of Early Care and Education in conjunction with the West Virginia Department of Education Office of Federal Programs reviewed and discussed the State Plan expectations for planning and implementation. The McKinney-Vento liaison also presents data and program information to ECAC on a regular basis. West Virginia has a goal of continued collaboration to enhance current efforts to assist homeless families with children. Part of this goal includes the Lead Agency hosting a Child Care Center Directors meeting in the fall of 2025 where the McKinney-Vento Act and how child care centers can effectively serve homeless families with children will be on the agenda. In addition, this topic will be on the annual Family Child Care Conference agenda, also in 2025. West Virginia will continue prioritizing enrollment for child care services and in the future pilot a grants-based program to dedicate spots with participating child care programs (center and family care) for homeless children. k. State/Territory agency responsible for the TANF program. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Lead Agency is also the agency responsible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) administration. The Child Care Resource and Referral agencies partner with their local county TANF offices to ensure that TANF clients have access to child care assistance. CCR&R workers attend TANF orientations and present at job readiness classes. CCR&Rs can also recruit potential child care providers through these connections. l. State/Territory agency responsible for Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Lead Agency houses both Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The West Virginia Department of Human Services has worked to develop an integrated eligibility system. That system is a ￿one stop location￿ for consumers to determine initial eligibility for Medicaid, Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) and child care. The initial application for the consumer is a joint application for public assistance programs. This helps streamline the process for West Virginia’s eligible population. Meetings between participating agencies and the vendor are held weekly to discuss alignment and ways to support eligible families to secure comprehensive services to meet the needs of the consumer. m. State/Territory agency responsible for mental health services. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Lead Agency houses both the Bureau for Behavioral Health and the Division of Early Care and Education. Both bureaus work collaboratively to promote the wellbeing of children in West Virginia. The Child Care Resource and Referral agencies partner with their local mental health agencies to provide support to child care providers caring for children in providing developmentally appropriate care. 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: The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) system in West Virginia is the structure in place for families to come and apply for child care assistance as well as child care providers to receive professional development. CCR&Rs are funded through a grant from the lead agency. The lead agency provides the scope of work to the CCR&Rs. o. Statewide afterschool network or other coordinating entity for out-of-school time care (if applicable). Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Statewide Afterschool Network works closely with the lead agency to align strategic goals for West Virginia's children. Lead agency staff provides input and technical West Virginia assistance to the Statewide Afterschool Network. Goals for this year include bringing afterschool programs into tiered reimbursement. p. Agency responsible for emergency management and response. Describe the coordination and results of the coordination: The Lead Agency works with the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in coordinating disaster preparedness plans for child care and continuity of operations plans for the lead agency and its grantees. 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. [x] State/Territory institutions for higher education, including community colleges. Describe: The lead agency works with higher education and community colleges to facilitate articulation of professional development provided by other entities, as well as collaboration on curriculum offerings for the early education workforce. iii. [ ] Other federal, State, local, and/or private agencies providing early childhood and school-age/youth-serving developmental services. Describe: iv. [ ] State/Territory agency responsible for implementing the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) programs grant. Describe: v. [ ] Agency responsible for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Program. Describe: vi. [x] State/Territory agency responsible for child welfare. Describe: The Lead Agency partners with child welfare to ensure child care access for foster and kinship relative placements, as well as supporting families and children receiving child protective services. vii. [x] Child care provider groups or associations. Describe: The Lead Agency supports and partners with the West Virginia Association of Young Children to provide and annual conference. viii. [ ] Parent groups or organizations. Describe: ix. [x] Title IV B 21st Century Community Learning Center Coordinators. Describe: The Lead Agency partners with the Statewide After School Network to provide learning opportunities and to develop quality standards for programs. x. [ ] Other. Describe: