7.1 Quality Activities Needs Assessment

7.1.1 Needs assessment process and findings a. Describe the Lead Agency needs assessment process for expending CCDF funds on activities to improve the quality of child care, including the frequency of assessment, how a range of parents and providers were consulted, and how their views are incorporated: Wyoming conducts an information needs assessment by regularly assesses information from child care licensers related to areas of non-compliance or violations to direct technical assistance and training; data from the Technical Assistance Coach; and Child Care Resource and Referral to identify areas of focus for quality investments. This assessment is conducted (annually, ongoing, etc.). Most recently, the Department surveyed providers in February and March 2024 regarding the impact of the COVID funding initiatives on providers. The findings indicated that the Department's initiatives piloted with COVID funding had a positive impact on providers; however, they are still struggling with workforce recruitment and increased costs of running a child care business. Additionally, in early 2024 the Department began conducting exit surveys of providers leaving the industry to identify barriers to licensure and maintaining their operations. The Department also utilizes its annual inspections of providers to gather feedback on specific provider needs and offers technical assistance to help meet those needs. The Department has not conducted a formal assessment of the needs in the state to determine which quality activities to invest in. However, the Department was involved in the comprehensive needs assessment for the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) (Planning Grant) and the subsequent update, which included data from the Department’s Child Care Gap Analysis conducted by the Bi-Partisan Policy Center. The PDG Needs Assessment and subsequent update, provides a foundation of information about Wyoming’s young children and the services available to support them and their families and is the foundation for the Wyoming Early Childhood Strategic Plan. For this State Plan period, the Department will collect and analyze data and information regularly to inform funding decisions. Data and information shall be collected from child care licensers, licensed and license-exempt child care providers (center and homes), Family Resource Centers, Child Care Resource & Referral, parents & other consumers, the Professional Learning Collaborative, STARS and other early childhood stakeholders. b. Describe the findings of the assessment, including any findings related to needs of different populations and types of providers, and if any overarching goals for quality improvement were identified: The Department has determined that supporting compliance with state requirements for licensing, inspection, monitoring, training, and health and safety is the area of focus for investment. In addition, the Department regularly assesses information from child care licensers related to areas of non- compliance or violations to direct technical assistance and training; data from the Technical Assistance Coach; and Child Care Resource and Referral to identify areas of focus for quality investments. The Department utilizes CCDF discretionary funds to support the following quality activities: Supporting the training and professional development of the child care workforce; Developing, maintaining, or implementing early learning and developmental guidelines (Wyoming Early Learning Standards); Developing, implementing, or enhancing a tiered quality rating and improvement system; Improving the supply and quality of child care services for infants and toddlers; Facilitating compliance with state/territory requirements for inspection, monitoring, training, and health and safety standards. Most recently, the Department surveyed providers in February and March 2024 regarding the impact of the COVID funding initiatives on providers. The findings indicated that the Departments initiatives piloted with COVID funding had a positive impact on providers; however, they are still struggling with workforce recruitment (centers) and increased costs (rent, utilities, food, supplies, insurance, etc.) of running a child care business (centers & home providers). The provider exit survey findings indicated providers were leaving the industry due to increased costs & low profitability (centers & home providers); licensing and/or regulatory requirements (centers & home providers); and stress and workforce issues (centers).