Presentation Transcript

1. Strengthening Child Care Licensing Health and Safety Standards

   Sheri Fischer and Judy Collins 2012 NARA Licensing Seminar San Francisco, CA September 11, 2012
2. Presentation overview Regulatory revisions – how, why, and what? Trends in child care center regulations Trends in licensing policies and programs Trends in your States
3. Essentials of Requirements Clearly written in easy to understand language Reasonable and achievable Enforceable and “measurable” Fair Reflects community/state support - the conscience of the state Fiscal impact
4. When do States Revise? Mandated by statute or policy (27 state sample) 16 states – no written directive on when to review regulations 11 states - follow specific review cycle ranging once every 2 years to once every 8 years most common was once every 5 years Currently only 8 states have not revised since 2005 12 states revised regulations in 2011 – either center, FCC, or both
5. Best Practice NARA recommends revisions every 3-4 years plus response to critical issues
6. Reasons for Revisions New research Single incident State legislation (such as no smoking policy) Federal legislation (such as cribs) CPSC requirements Caring for Our Children 3rdEdition – new guidelines Competition - the other states are doing it!
7. Revision Process Person responsible for revision process Most states have a specific process Typically have a system for tracking what needs attention Input from stakeholder groups - front end work is critical Transparency is key!
8. Strategies for revision Revision Workgroup convened Providers, professional experts, parents, licensing staff Comprehensive Current regulations Or new draft from Agency Selective topics Back to sleep, obesity prevention, etc. How good is “good enough” and not going overboard
9. Resources to Support revisions Caring for Our Children Stepping Stones Preventing Childhood Obesity Research NARA services Child Care Licensing Studies by NARA/NCCIC/NCCCQI Various accreditation standards and criteria Head Start Performance Standards NACCRRA’s We Can Do Better Other state regulations Sister agencies within the state NCCCQI information products
10. How States Use Electronic Media Information on workgroup meetings Drafts on line Webinars Video conferencing Accept e-mail comments (WI had over 500) Facebook and Twitter
11. Hot topics Blended or separate standards Risk-based
12. Typical Revision Topics Obesity prevention Safe sleep Back to sleep SIDS prevention training New crib regulations Pacifiers and bibs No blankets Swaddling
13. Revision Topics (cont.) Emergency preparedness Reunification with parents Handling children with special needs Addressing violent situations, e.g., lock-downs Nuclear emergencies Off-site back-up of facility information Transportation Unattended children in vehicles Children left behind Cell phones Hand washing and hand sanitizers Product recall management
14. Revision Topics (cont.) Immunizations for caregivers and teachers Influenza and infectious disease control, including training Medication administration training Inclusion/exclusion of ill children Air quality Integrated Pest Management
15. Revision Topics (cont.) Background checks Staff qualifications and career lattices Professional development and registries
16. Building Support Parents, providers, public and politicians Advocacy groups Intentional outreach Cultivate relationships Diverse opinions Data
17. Implementing Most states have something in law that indicates when revisions become effective Grandfathered in Phased in Training for staff Training for providers A checklist of changes
18. Changing landscape Economy Online Social media Unions
19. Lessons Learned Relationships Inclusion of stakeholders Respectful of providers Perseverance Up front work is key LISTEN Transparency! Take advantage of the open window Involve more providers Research Baby steps
20. “…We don’t need more rules; we need better rules– rules that are clearly supported by research.” Harold GazanREGULATION: An Imperative Dimension To Quality Child Care1998
21. Licensing Trends for 2011 Licensing Policies Facility monitoring, enforcement of regulations, licensing program staffing Licensing Regulations for Child Care Centers Promulgated rules used to evaluate a program’s operation
22. methodology Licensing regulations NCCCQI compiled data from regulations posted on National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education Changes posted between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011 Licensing policies Analysis of results from 2011 NARA Child Care Licensing Programs and Policies Survey NCCCQI compared 2011 data to previous Licensing Studies Mostly used 2005 Child Care Licensing Study, but also 2007 and 2008
23. Positive changes found Child care center licensing regulations Safe sleep Preservice training for directors Ongoing training hours Background checks Ratios and group size Health and safety
24. Positive changes found Licensing policies Frequency of inspections Licensing information on the Internet Differential monitoring Handheld devices for inspections
25. LICENSING REQUIRMENTS
26. Safe sleep 18 States added “back to sleep” requirements to center regulations since 2005
27. Preservice training Seven States have changed the preservice requirements for center directors since 2005 CT, DC, IA, IL, MO, NH, NM One state changed preservice requirements for teachers CO Two states added requirement for high school diploma for teachers CO, CT
28. Ongoing training hours Five States added an ongoing training requirement for at least one center role DC, MI, MT, NC, NH Ten States increased the number of training hours required for at least one center role AR, AZ, CO, DC, DE, MD, MI, MT, NC, NH Median number of hours increased from 12 to 15
29. Background checks
30. Ratios and group size Six States lowered ratios for at least one age group of children DE, ME, MI, SC, NC, VA States also include ratios in QRIS as a way to lower them, but voluntary Four States lowered group size for at least one age group ME, OH, UT, WI Michigan added a requirement for group size for infants and toddlers Most common ratios and group sizes are still higher than Caring for our Children recommendations
31. Health and safety − Transportation
32. Health and safety Six States added requirements about fences for outdoor space AR, DE, MA, ME, MI, SC Five States added requirements about emergency preparedness since 2005 DC, DE, FL, NH, SC Five more States prohibit firearms in child care centers AR, CT, DC, DE, NC
33. Trends in your state
34. LICENSING POLICIES
35. Number of facilities
36. Licensed capacity
37. Licensing caseloads Based on responses from state licensing agencies Most states assign line staff to inspect centers and FCC homes Average caseload is 103 facilities Lowest – 21.73 – TN Highest – 231 - VT
38. Frequency of licensing Most States renew licenses every one or two years. 11 States have non-expiring licenses AR, CA, CO, MD, NE, NC, OK, SD, TX, WA, WI GA and KS changed law from non-expiring to annual renewal WA added non-expiring
39. Frequency of inspection More than 20 percent of States reported an increase in the number of inspections conducted each year A large number now inspect more than once a year Four States that inspected less than once a year in 2005, now inspect at least once a year AL, AK, MA, NY
40. Monitoring tools More than 55 percent of States report using abbreviated compliance forms A shortened list of requirements checked during inspections Most select rules based on those considered most critical to protecting children’s health and safety 26 States use differential monitoring; increased from 11 States in 2005 Frequency and/or depth of monitoring based on a facility’s compliance history 13 States have a system of weighted licensing Rules are ranked for relative risk of harm
41. Enforcement actions The most common enforcement actions Revocation of a license Denial of a license Emergency/immediate closure of a facility Conditional license Non-renewal of a license Civil fines
42. Enforcement actions
43. Use of technology 32 States report using portable devices during inspections 19 additional states since 2005 30 States post licensing information on the Internet for parents and the general public 10 states in 2005 States post inspection reports, summary reports, and substantiated complaints
44. Trends in your state
45. Thank You The Office of Child Care’s National Center on Child Care Quality Improvement does not endorse any non-Federal organization, publication, or resource. Phone: 877-296-2250 Email: OCCQualityCenter@icfi.com