Public Hearings: May 21 -23, 2013

1. Public Hearings: May 21 -23, 2013 Child Care Development Fund Massachusetts State Plan Federal Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015

2. CCDF State Plan Requirement • In order to receive CCDF funds, Federal law requires all States to submit a State Plan every two years. • See 45 CFR Part 98.13(c); 98.17(a) • The Lead Agency must submit a new State Plan prior to the expiration of the current Plan in order to continue receiving CCDF Funds. • See 45 CFR Part 98.17(b)

3. Estimated CCDF Funding • EEC estimates that over $450 million in federal and state funds will be available for child care services in FY14. • CCDF law places certain requirements and limitations on Lead Agencies charged with administering child care programs and services funded with federal funds. For example: • At least 4% of funding must be spent on activities to improve child care quality • Administrative expenses must be limited to less than 5% of funding • At least 70% shall be used for families: (1) on TANF; (2) transitioning off of TANF; or (3) at risk of receiving TANF • In addition to the 4% requirement, congressional earmarks require states to spend sum certain amounts on quality for: • Infant-Toddler activities • General child care quality initiatives

4. CCDF Goals • Federal law identified the following 5 goals in creating the CCDF block grant: • Allow each State maximum flexibility; • Promote parental choice; • Encourage States to provide consumer education to help parents make informed choices about child care; • Assist States to provide child care to parents trying to achieve independence from public assistance; and • Assist States in implementing the health, safety, licensing and registration established in regulations.

5. CCDF Purposes • Federal lawmakers established that the purpose of CCDF is to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care by: • Providing low-income families with the financial resources to find and afford quality child care • Enhancing quality and increasing the supply of child care • Providing parents with a broad range of options • Strengthening the role of family • Improving the quality and coordination of child care • Increasing the availability of early childhood development programs and before/after school services

6. CCDF Eligibility Requirements and Flexible Plan Administration • Although Federal guidance grants great flexibility to States in the design and implementation of their CCDF State Plan, the regulations do contain certain minimum requirements for funds directed to child care access • For example, in order to be eligible for child care services funded by CCDF, a child must: • be under 13 years of age, or under the age of 19 if special needs; • must reside with a family whose income does not exceed 85% of the state’s median income; and • must either reside with parent(s) who are working, or attending a job training or educational program, or are at risk of receiving protective services.

7. CCDF State Plan Contents Part 1: Administration 1.1. Contact Information 1.2. Estimated Funding 1.3. CCDF Program Integrity and Accountability 1.4. Consultation in the Development of the CCDF Plan 1.5. Coordination Activities to Support the Implementation of CCDF Services 1.6. Child Care Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Part 2: CCDF Subsidy Program Administration 2.1. Administration of the Program 2.2. Family Outreach and Application Process 2.3. Eligibility Criteria for Child Care 2.4. Sliding Fee Scale and Family Contribution 2.5. Prioritizing Services for Eligible Children and Families 2.6. Parental Choice in Relation to Certificates, Grants or Contracts 2.7. Payment Rates for Child Care Services Part 3: Health and Safety and Quality Improvement Activities 3.1. Activities to Ensure the Health and Safety of Children in Child Care (Component #1) 3.2. Establishing Voluntary Early Learning Guidelines (Component #2) 3.3. Creating Pathways to Excellence for Child Care Programs through Program Quality Improvement Activities (Component #3) 3.4. Pathways to Excellence for the Workforce – Professional Development Systems and Workforce Initiatives (Component #4)

8. Highlights in the CCDF Plan • Maintains Consolidated Format from FFY 2012-2013 submission • Effort to Improve and Align National CCDF Reporting • Responses seek more “check boxes” and less narrative • Focus on Child Care Quality and CCDF Program Integrity • Data and Performance Measure Reporting with Annual Updates on Goals • E-Submission Process

9. CCDF Performance Measures • In 2011, Part 3 of the Plan was reorganized to emphasize self-assessment and intentional outcomes for States • To enable uniform data reporting nationwide, in part • For each of the 4 Component Areas -- Licensing, Early Learning Guidelines, Quality Rating and Improvement, and Professional Development -- States must: • Perform a Self-Assessment (what are we doing now) • Identify data capabilities, performance measures, plans for on-going evaluation and goals for next biennium • Report on progress towards achieving goals annually

10. Next Steps and Submission Timeline