Slide 1
Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Reauthorization and the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2016-2018
Presentation to the Board of Early Education and Care
December 8, 2015
Slide 2
Goals for Board Discussion Today
•There are a number of policy issues that will need to be resolved prior to the submission of the plan in March 2016 that will require Board input including health and safety monitoring practices and changes to the child care subsidy system.
•Many of the plan provisions will require regulatory amendments and policy changes as they are developed and implemented over the next three years.
•The presentation and discussion today will highlight items for Board involvement as staff work with external partners and collect public comments over the next few months to develop EEC’s final plan.
•Provide an update on the process, share and discuss key discussion points from the advisory group, identify and discuss potential regulatory or policy changes, and establish a process for board engagement through February.
Slide 3
Who is Behind the Effort to Complete the Plan?
•Since the October Board Meeting, EEC has identified key staff to facilitate the completion of each section of the CCDF State Plan.
•Staff have worked to complete sections where possible and to determine which items will require implementation plans and further conversations with the Board, the Field and other agencies
•An Advisory group representing over ten key stakeholders including providers, early education advocates, state agencies and workforce representatives has been convened 4 times to discuss the requirements of the plan.
•These conversations are important as they have given Department staff a number of perspectives on each provision of the plan and raised important implementation questions that we will need to resolve.
Slide 4
Key Discussion Points from the Advisory Meetings
•The field sees the transition to 12 month eligibility for funding will be beneficial for both children and providers allowing for stability.
•The current rates paid by the Department are too low to both allow for the retention of many teachers and to support quality investments.
•A tiered rate structure based on quality would lead to many providers to make investments needed to support student success.
•It is important to ensure that any new Background Record Check requirements and related regulatory changes are seamlessly incorporated into the current system to avoid any delays.
•New annual visit requirements and other monitoring changes should be implemented in conjunction with visits from other agencies such as Head Start and the Food program to both minimize disruptions and avoid over-burdening licensors given their current caseloads.
Slide 5
Potential Regulatory or Policy Changes in Response to CCDBG Reauthorization
•The CCDBG Reauthorization imposes several requirements on States that will require significant regulatory and/or policy change, particularly in the area of child care subsidy.
–The Board shall set policies and establish regulations related to EEC programs and services.
•Child Care Subsidy Opportunities
–Stabilize Educational Opportunities (Minimum 12 Month Authorizations)
•Goal: Better align subsidy program with EEC’s child-focused mission
–Changes to stabilize educational opportunities will require Board vote.
•Items for Consideration, include:
–Should EEC eliminate self-reporting requirements for families during an authorization period to stabilize placements and reduce administrative burden?
–Should EEC consider targeting populations for authorizations beyond 12 months?
–Review of Child Care Rates and Rate Structure
•Goal: Implement strategies to improve quality and incentivize participation in the subsidy program.
–Changes to rates will require a Board vote.
•Items for Consideration, include:
–How will potential rate increases impact access?
–Should EEC consider changing transportation funding and/or priority populations add-on rates?
–How can EEC better align rates with QRIS, accreditation, and/or enhanced services?
Slide 6
Potential Regulatory or Policy Changes in Response to CCDBG Reauthorization
–Parent Fee Scale
•Goal: Design parent fee scale to mitigate access impediments.
–Changes to Parent Fees will require regulatory change and Board vote.
•Items for Consideration, include:
–How can EEC simplify its existing parent fee scale in a manner that is affordable to families and fiscally responsible?
–Can EEC consider parent fee waivers for priority populations to stabilize at-risk populations?
–Authorization/Eligibility Process
•Goal: Evaluate eligibility processes to identify efficiencies and remove barriers
–Changes to eligibility process may require regulatory change and Board vote.
•Items for consideration, include:
–Should EEC seek opportunities to streamline eligibility verifications (i.e., access to HHS data) to avoid duplication of documentation requirements?
–In light of EEC’s mission and the direction of CCDBG Reauthorization, should EEC maintain its existing Part-Time/Full-Time eligibility threshold?
Slide 7
Potential Regulatory or Policy Changes in Response to CCDBG Reauthorization
–Meeting Needs of Priority Populations, Coordination of Services, and Parent Choice
•Goal: Improve access to high quality early education opportunities for priority populations in a manner to ensures compliance with parent choice
–Discussion with the Board will inform procurements in SFY2017; and may require regulatory or policy changes and Board vote.
•Items for Consideration, include:
–What strategies should EEC consider to better serve CCDBG priorities?
–Should EEC impose minimum quality levels to participate in the subsidy program?
–How can EEC better support full year, full day services for priority populations, such as Head Start, Early Head Start, or Pre-School Expansion grantees?
–Health and Safety Requirements for CCDBG Funded Placements
•Goal: Mitigate health and safety risks for children participating in all CCDBG funded placements
–Discussion with the Board may require regulatory or policy changes and Board vote.
•Items for Consideration, include:
–What, if any, restrictions should EEC impose on license-exempt programs (i.e., require QRIS participation, require licensure, condition voucher agreements on BRC consent for staff, etc.)?
»Summer Camps regulated by the Dept. of Public Health through Local Boards of Health
»Center-Based Programs affiliated with the Public School System
»Center-Based Programs affiliated with a Private Organized Education Structure
»Informal Child Care, including In-Home, Non-Relative and Relative Caregivers
Slide 8
Timeline for Development & Submission of CCDF State Plan
Tasks / TimelineCCDF Advisory Meeting #4 / December 3, 2015
Update to Full Board in Preparation for CCDF State Plan Public Hearings / December 8, 2015
Present to EEC Advisory Council / December 11, 2015
First Draft of Agency Plan Completed / December 18, 2015
Hold Public Hearings in Western MA, Central MA and Boston / January 2016
Close of Public Comment Period and Revisions to CCDF State Plan / January 25, 2016 - February 5, 2016
Present to Full Board for Vote to Approve and Submit Final CCDF State Plan to ACF-OCC / February 9, 2016
Submit Final CCDF State Plan / No later than March 1, 2016
Slide 9
Public Hearing Schedule
•Currently the Department has three public hearings scheduled to solicit feedback on the CCDF Plan:
•Tuesday January 5th, 2016 - 6-8 PM: EEC Springfield Regional Office
•Wednesday January 6th, 2016 – 6-8 PM: EEC Boston Central Office
•Tuesday January 12th, 2016 – 10 AM – 12 PM EEC Worcester Regional Office