Hello Providers, July 12, 2017

I am writing to share important information for all child care providers in North Dakota.

Enclosed you will find information about the new laws enacted for licensed early childhood providers, and, information about the Child Care Provider Inclusion Support Grant.

The Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant of 2014 issued most of the new requirements. The guidelines were developed based on research and input from families and providers across the country. If you are curious about how laws are made, I encourage you to contact your local or state representative and get involved in the government process! You will find an (*) next to laws enacted specifically by the 2017 North Dakota Legislators. If you have questions about the evolution of these laws, feel free to contact me or your local legislator.

Additionally, I am pleased to announce that the Department of Human Services renewed the Child Care Provider Inclusion Support Program for the 2017 - 2019 Biennium.

Through our continued partnership with Child Care Aware, DHS will work specifically with providers who wish to develop or maintain inclusive child care environments.

Thank you for your commitment to the children and families of North Dakota.

Have a safe and fun summer!

Sincerely,

Amy Olsen

Early Childhood Services Administrator

Enclosure

Rule Updates 2017 - 2019

To be effective August 1, 2017:

Changes in criminal history record checks (CCDBG 2014 and Senate Bill 2090):

·  All household members, 18 and older

·  All staff members - any individual who is an employee of an early childhood program …or whose activities involve the care, supervision, guidance, or, would have unsupervised access to children – must have a fingerprint background check.

This means, but is not limited to: meal service, bus drivers, and office staff.

·  Everyone must have a fingerprint background check every 5 years.

Effective January 1, 2018:

Annual training requirements (CCDBG 2014 and Senate Bill 2090):

All staff members must be certified in:

·  Infant, Child and Adult CPR

·  Infant, Child and Adult First Aid

AND

·  The use of an Automated External Defibrillator *

Renewal of license (Senate Bill 2090):

·  Completed applications for renewal must be submitted to your licensor no more than 90 days and no less than 60 days prior to the license expiration date*.

·  Upon receipt of ALL COMPLETED materials, they will be forwarded to the state office.

·  The department will then grant a license within 30 days of receiving a complete application* and all of its supporting documents.

Late renewal application (Senate Bill 2090):

·  When an application for renewal of license is late (less than 30 days before expiration date) the provider will submit with their completed application a fee 2 times the original fee*.

·  The provider must post a notice* on their original license that their application is late.

Notification of parents (Senate Bill 2060)

·  The department shall notify families receiving care in a home or facility where a child abuse or neglect complaint has been made*.

Child Restraint Systems (House Bill 1323)*:

·  Children age 8 years of age and under, OR under 57”, must be in a booster seat or car seat. ( http://www.ndhealth.gov/injuryprevention/childpassenger/)

Working with families experiencing homelessness (CCDBG 2014, effective October 1, 2017):

·  A provider must allow a grace period for families to show immunization records at the time of enrollment.

The Inclusion Support Program provides grant funding to licensed child care providers in North Dakota who care for children with special needs ages birth through 12 years old.

The funding is designed to assist child care providers in creating and maintaining an inclusive environment by supporting children with disabilities or developmental delays in learning, growing, and playing alongside their peers.

Grant funding may be used for the following purposes:

·  Coaching and technical assistance

·  Supporting staffing needs

·  Modifying a childcare setting to accommodate children with diverse abilities and needs (building ramps, widening doors, etc.)

·  Purchasing items such as sensory equipment, manipulative, specialized seating, or computer equipment and software for children with special needs

Child Care Providers need to complete the following tasks before applying for the Inclusion Grant:

·  Become licensed or self-declared by the N.D. Department of Human Services, or be in the process or licensing.

·  Ask the parent or guardian to obtain and provide a letter from a child’s therapist, physician, or other health care provider outlining the need for additional support.

·  Work with a child’s parents and an inclusion specialist to create a care plan for each child in care with special needs.

The application and additional information can be found on our website at www.nd.gov/dhs/services/childcare/inclusion.html

Completed applications will be accepted from August 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017.

Grants will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis, pending availability of funds.