Early Childhood Care and Education Network Request for Applications for Community Network Lead Agencies April 2016

Louisiana Believes 2 Community Network Lead Agencies To continue implementation of Louisiana's Early Childhood Care and Education Network, the Department is seeking to identify and fund Lead Agencies for local Community Networks for the two-year period July 1, 2016, through June 30,  There are currently 64 early childhood care and education Community Networks in Louisiana and each functions as a consortium of early learning providers.  The State coordinates this system of Community Networks by designating a Lead Agency for each community to conduct administrative functions and coordinate essential activities, specifically CLASS observations and enrollment.  There are currently 64 early childhood care and education Community Networks in Louisiana and each functions as a consortium of early learning providers.  The State coordinates this system of Community Networks by designating a Lead Agency for each community to conduct administrative functions and coordinate essential activities, specifically CLASS observations and enrollment.

Louisiana Believes 3 Who can Apply?  State agency  Local public school system  Non-profit or for-profit corporation with an educational or social services mission including but not limited to a nonprofit corporation of a philanthropic or policy nature  Louisiana public postsecondary institution  Non-profit corporation established by the governing authority of a parish or municipality 3

Louisiana Believes 4 Key Differences for  Lead Agencies will be selected for two-year period (July 1, June 30, 2018). Satisfactory execution of responsibilities during year 1 is required to receive year 2 funding.  Lead Agency funding for will be provided at a rate of $500 per toddler and PreK classroom per year. This rate represents a 25% increase per classroom. Note: Cohort 3 will receive less funding overall because start-up funding ends June 30,  Lead Agency applicants are not required to obtain Assurances for Academic Approval from Program Partners.  Lead Agency responsibilities do NOT include training, coaching, mentoring or other professional development for teachers – school, Head Start or child care.  Lead Agency Assurances have been expanded to clearly spell out every responsibility and applicants must commit to completing all responsibilities.

Louisiana Believes 5 Expectations for Lead Agencies Lead Agencies must:  Conduct administrative functions for the Community Network  Coordinate CLASS observations, assure that accurate observations are conducted for all Toddler and PreK classrooms and that feedback is provided to all participating programs  Coordinate the publicly funded birth-to-age-five enrollment and the State funding application for the Community Network 5 The Lead Agency application focuses on commitment to complete responsibilities, primarily conducting accurate CLASS observations and making progress on the implementation of Coordinated Enrollment.

Louisiana Believes 6 Funding 6  Funding for will be provided at a rate of $500 per Toddler and PreK classroom.  For consistency and equity, the same count of Toddler and PreK classrooms in publicly-funded programs used for funding was applied to the funding formula.  Each Lead Agency has discretion over how it uses its funding to support and carry-out its responsibilities but must use the funds to support the primary responsibilities of coordinating CLASS observations, coordinating enrollment, and Network administration.  Generally, funds may be used for staff or professional services to ensure that CLASS observations, enrollment and other expectations for Lead Agencies are completed.

Louisiana Believes 7 Recommended Use of Funds 7 Function Percent of Funding Estimated Per Classroom Amount CLASS Observations70%$350 Coordinated Enrollment10%$50 Administration15%$75 Materials & Supplies/Misc.5%$25  Lead Agencies will be recommended to BESE for approval in June  Lead Agencies will submit detailed budgets for approval after being notified of selection.  The Year One funding cycle will begin July 1,  Lead Agencies will be recommended to BESE for approval in June  Lead Agencies will submit detailed budgets for approval after being notified of selection.  The Year One funding cycle will begin July 1, 2016.

Louisiana Believes 8 Annual Milestone Due Dates  October 1 - All CLASS Observations for Fall are scheduled in the online system.  October 31 - Child Count as of 10/1 is reported to the State.  December 1 - Coordinated Funding Request is submitted to the State.  December 15 – 100% Fall CLASS observations completed and results entered in system.  February 1 – Coordinated Enrollment Plan is submitted to the State.  February 1 – All CLASS Observations for Spring are scheduled in the online system.  February 28 – Child Count as of 2/1 is reported to the State.  May 15 – 100% Spring CLASS Observations completed and results entered in the system. 8

Louisiana Believes 9 Application and Selection Process The Lead Agency application has four parts that are included in the Application Template. The Word version of the application template may be obtained by contacting Part 1 – Community Network Lead Agency Applicant Profile Part 2 – Community Network Lead Agency Applicant Assurances Part 3 – Notification for Program Partners Part 4 – Rationale and Evidence for Designation as Lead Agency 9 Complete the application template, scan with any attachments and submit as one document. The Word version of the application template may be obtained by contacting Complete the application template, scan with any attachments and submit as one document. The Word version of the application template may be obtained by contacting

Louisiana Believes 10 Louisiana Believes Application Deadline and Important Dates April 25, 2016 Deadline for submitting RFA questions to Subject line should read “RFA Questions”. May 2, 2016 RFA Questions and Answers will be posted to the LDE website. May 16, 2016 Applications due by 5:30 pm. June 21-22, 2016 Lead Agencies allocations are submitted to BESE for approval. 10