Updates on Maryland Child Care Programs: October 2014 Leadership Symposium Insights

1. Getting Through the Forest…Together Office of Child Care Updates October 2014 Presentation to MSCCA Leadership Symposium

2. Race to The Top – Early Learning Challenge • For updates on progress and projects go to: • http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/challenge

3. As of October 2014: • 3,477 programs/providers participating • 1,029 have published ratings • 29% of all registered family child care homes • 53% of all child care centers… • are now participating!

4. Participation and Publication

5. Interactive map • Search by additional achievements • Expanded Rating View

6. Expanded Rating View • Click on View Details - the screen expands to show each Standard area and rating

7. Child Care Subsidy Timeline for Participation • July 1, 2015 – Register and submit an application to participate in Maryland EXCELS to continue to receive Child Care Subsidy reimbursement. • July 1, 2016 – Publish a rating in Maryland EXCELS to continue receiving Child Care Subsidy reimbursement.

8. Pre-K Expansion • $4.3 million provided through the Prekindergarten Expansion Act of 2014 (Senate Bill 332) • To expand the access to half-day and full-day public prekindergarten for four-year-olds from families with household incomes at or below 300 percent (%) of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) for the school year 2014-2015. For a family of four, 300% of the 2014 FPG translates to an annual income of $71,550.  • Additional funding for the Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Education Enhancement Programs (Judy Centers)

9. Pre-K Expansion • Qualified vendors may apply for grant funding under one of the following three classifications: • Absolute Priority I – Child care • $3,155,893 awarded across 31 licensed child care programs provide half-day or full-day prekindergarten programs to 825 four-year-olds. • Absolute Priority II – Public schools • $3,524,775 awarded to 12 local education agencies to expand half-day and full-day prekindergarten programs for 906 four-year-olds. • Absolute Priority III – Judy Center Expansion $1,980,000 awarded to establish seven new Judy Centers or a satellite to an existing Judy Center at a Title I school operated by a local board of education.

10. Child Care Subsidy • Waiting List still in place for the top two eligibility levels • Regulation Status • Case Management RFP • Payment/CCATS Issues

11. Credentialing • Data entry personnel and Quality Assurance Specialists are working diligently to input application information – currently working on September 2014 • An RFP has been developed to seek a vendor to scan, file, index and process Credentialing applications

12. Credentialing • Regulation changes • Bonuses paid in one part – no more two part payments • No changes in amounts for Bonuses or Voucher/Reimbursement • Vouchers will only be issued for pre-service training, statewide or national conferences • CCCPDF • Must be at least Level Two Credential to qualify • Must work at least 10 hours per week in an approved child care facility • Effective October 1, 2013 • A participant must either update at the previous credential level or  higher. For example, a provider who was previously credentialed at Level 3, the credential expired and they submit an application for an update but only submit 1 PAU, the application will be returned for insufficient PAUs to meet the requirements for Level 3.

13. Licensing • Regulation Revision • Regulations have been revised to address legislation and recommendations concerning: • School-age only programs – definition of child care, staff requirements, ratio/group size, program requirements • Inclusive child care – prohibition of discrimination, training on ADA, reasonable accommodations • Sugary Drinks, fat content of milk, breastfeeding support and limits on screen-time • Compliance with Lead – buildings constructed prior to 1950

14. New Look for MSDE Home Page

15. Questions