Early Learning Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting Tampa Jan. 13, 2017

ELAC Quarterly Meeting Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Introductions Recognitions Announcements Approval of Agenda Approval of Minutes – 7/29/16

ELAC Quarterly Meeting Agenda Acting Chair Convenes Partner Updates Matt Guse, AELC Department of Children & Families Dr. Ben Heusten, Waterford Institute Agency Updates Rodney MacKinnon Legislative Update and Rules Stephanie Gehres Impact Project Discussion Rodney MacKinnon Quality vs Access Education Requirements for Teachers Survey Results Open Discussion/Other Issues Chairs Public Comment Public Wrap Up and Adjourn Acting Chair

Association of Early Learning Coalitions Matt Guse President Partner Update Association of Early Learning Coalitions Matt Guse President

Florida Department of Children and Families Partner Update Florida Department of Children and Families

School Readiness Process Communication between the Department of Children and Families and the Early Learning Coalitions

Communication is Key Effective Communication is Paramount Help ELC Staff Know the DCF Procedures Help ELC Staff Know Who to Contact Communication Must be Timely Use brief bullets and discuss details verbally.

DCF Single Point of Contact Cindy Campbell 850-717-4536 Cynthia.Campbell@myflfamilies.com Use brief bullets and discuss details verbally.

DCF ID Numbers in EFS DCF ID Number should be in ELC’s EFS DCF ID Number should be Included on the SR Form 10 and Computer-Generated Emails If DCF ID Number has not been issued, then no School Readiness Inspection can occur

DCF ID Number Breakdown Provider types: C = Licensed Child Care Facility F = Licensed Family Day Care Home (FDCH) L = Licensed Large Family Child Care Home (FCCH) R = Registered Family Day Care Home (Registered FDCH) X = Religious Exempt E = All Other Exempt Programs (Gold Seal, Public/ Nonpublic School, VPK, Informal) (This only applies to DCF providers and Sarasota, not LLA)

School Readiness Process 1/1/2017: Any provider requesting a new School Readiness contract must have an inspection (conducted by DCF/LLA licensing staff) showing full compliance with health and safety standards. What does that mean for a licensed program? What does that mean for a license-exempt program?

Licensed Program Provider applies for SR contract. ELC staff look up most recent inspection in CARES to verify all health and safety standards are compliant and then complete contract. ELC sends SR Form 10 with contract begin and end dates to DCF Program Office at HQW.Child.Care.School.Readiness@myflfamilies.com DCF Program Office updates existing provider profile in CARES and notifies the region’s licensing office.

License-Exempt Program Provider applies for SR contract. ELC sends SR Form 10 and DCF Determination letter to DCF Program Office at HQW.Child.Care.School.Readiness@myflfamilies.com DCF Program Office updates or creates provider profile in CARES, then sends the DCF ID number to the ELC. DCF Program Office notifies the region to conduct a pre-contractual SR inspection. This initial inspection will be announced. Once the inspection is reviewed and uploaded, a notification will be sent to the ELC from CARES. Mention the 45 day window for new inspections.

License-Exempt Program Continued… ELC will verify that all SR standards are fully compliant on the inspection report in CARES and complete the contract. ELC will send DCF Program Office the contract begin and end dates so the provider profile in CARES can be updated and SR information will show on the website.

Current Communication Concerns All ELCs are asked to use the general inbox HQW.Child.Care.School.Readiness@myflfamilies.com Public Schools with an SR contract: ELC will provide DCF with direct contact information for the specific programs at each school that hold the SR contract. Licensing needs to know if they are inspecting the VPK program, School- Age Extended Day Program or both. Current contact information is for a district contact and the school personnel do not know which programs have the SR contract. Example -We have inspected the wrong program

How To Find a Licensing Counselor All licensed, School Readiness (SR) and Gold Seal providers are assigned a counselor. Registered Homes, Religious Exempt and Exempt Public/NonPublic Schools (with SR) are assigned an “Application Admin.” Application Admins process provider applications for Registered Home and Religious Exempt providers. They also input SR data for all provider types. Notification to the region. Assigned to the counselor.

Verifying School Readiness Data in CARES View data within the provider’s CARES profile. Review a provider’s violation history by reviewing their progressive enforcement matrix. Application Admins process provider applications for Registered Home and Religious Exempt providers. They also input SR data for all provider types.

The School Readiness Profile Reiterate what the ‘Referral Date’ and ‘Assignment Date’ is

The School Readiness Profile Contract Status: This will reflect the status of the provider’s contract. Only those with an “Active” or “Applied” status can receive SR inspections. Early Learning Coalition: This reflects the ELC assigned to the provider. Only 1 coalition can be assigned. Referral Date: The date DCF was notified the provider intends to enter into an SR contract (static date). Assignment Date: The date the provider is assigned to a Supervisor/Counselor for inspection (static date). Contract Initiation Date: The date the SR contract is active (static date). Contract Expiration Date: The date the SR contract Expires (changes with renewal).

Opening/Closing CARES User Accounts Send ELC User Account Request Form to Yemi Quijada Yemi.Quijada@myflfamilies.com

DCF School Readiness contact: QUESTIONS? DCF School Readiness contact: Cindy Campbell (850)717-4536 Cynthia.Campbell@myflfamilies.com

Partner Update – Coalition Benjamin Heuston, PhD President & CEO

ELAC Quarterly Meeting Lunch

ELAC Quarterly Meeting Agency Updates Rodney J. MacKinnon Executive Director Legislative Update Rules

School Readiness Rules – Effective Rules Rules Update School Readiness Rules – Effective Rules Rule 6M-4.610 Statewide Provider Contract for the School Readiness Program Now effective, to be used beginning with contracts for all new SR providers on or after Jan. 1, 2017. All existing SR providers will begin using for 17/18 Fiscal Year. Rule 6M-4.200 School Readiness Eligibility Provisions and Rule 6M-4.208 Documenting Eligibility for the School Readiness Program Now effective, beginning Jan. 1, 2017. All new CCDF eligibility requirements should currently be in practice. Rule 6M-4.620 Health and Safety Checklists and Inspections Effective Oct. 24, 2016. Health and Safety Inspections started in mid-November. Rule re-opened to correct mistakes and clarify issues Nov. 3, 2016. Workshop held Nov. 18, 2016. Public hearing not requested. Rule scheduled to go before State Board of Education Jan. 18, 2017.

School Readiness Rules – Rules in Progress Rules Update School Readiness Rules – Rules in Progress Rule 6M-4.400 Required Parent Co-payment If requested, a public hearing will be held via webinar Jan. 17, 2017, from 1 to 2 p.m. Updated Graduated Phase-out and clarified information on transfers. Rule is scheduled to go before State Board of Education Feb. 16, 2017. Rule 6M-4.630 Statewide Provider Contract for the School Readiness Program If requested, a public hearing will be held via webinar Jan. 18, 2017, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Revised to align with updated SR contract and removed health and safety sections. Rule scheduled to go before State Board of Education Feb. 16, 2017. Rule 6M-4.500 Child Attendance and Provider Reimbursements Workshop held via webinar Jan. 10, 2017, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Comments from workshop being compiled. Rule scheduled to go before State Board of Education Mar. 22, 2017.

VPK Rules – Effective and in Progress Rules Update VPK Rules – Effective and in Progress Rule 6M-8.301 – Statewide Provider Contract for VPK Now effective, to be used beginning with contracts for 17-18 VPK program year. Coming to Provider Portal early next year. Rule 6M-8.300 – VPK Provider and Class Registration Procedures; Application; Eligibility Determination Internal development continues, based on workshop comments received. Second workshop will be scheduled soon. Rule 6M-8.201 Child Enrollment Procedure for the VPK Education Program If requested, public hearing will be held Jan. 17, 2017, via webinar from 3 to 4 p.m. Updated “VPK class” field as required on the COE, as needed for payment. Reformatted parent handbook (Put all content from parent handbook and parent guide in one parent-friendly document).

VPK Rules – Effective and in Progress Rules Update VPK Rules – Effective and in Progress Rule 6M-8.204 – Uniform Attendance Policy for Funding the VPK Program Update emergencies closures to include when school districts close due to weather. Remove some information regarding VPK class schedules and notification and include in Rule 6M-8.300, F.A.C. New Rule – Equivalent Credentials for VPK Instructors Falls under the Department of Education (6A rule, not 6M). Developing with Department of Education. Adopting approved equivalent educational credentials. The current approved list was adopted by State Board of Education in 2005.

Agency Update Stephanie Gehres Deputy Director Operations and Programs ELAC Quarterly Meeting Agency Update Stephanie Gehres Deputy Director Operations and Programs Impact Project

Impact Project Overview Goal: To build/foster a comprehensive, coordinated early learning system that clearly defines quality, increases the capacity and availability of quality early learning programs, and positively impacts children and families throughout the state. -Florida was selected to be 1 of 9 states to participate in the Impact Project. Florida’s goal is to align the state’s quality work into a more systemic approach. This alignment will allow for capturing the needed data to improve the quality of early learning in the state. The leadership team consists of multidisciplinary leadership within the Office as well as leadership from the AELC, Head Start, and DCF. -The first site visit was 8/9-8/10. -During this visit a gap analysis was completed to identify strengths and target the areas for growth within the state’s quality improvement work.

Impact Project Leadership team First site visit complete (Aug. 9-10, 2016) Identification of capacity gaps Second site visit complete (Dec. 12-13, 2016) Streamlining initiatives Cultural responsiveness Detailed project plan

Impact Project CAPACITY BUILDING DIMENSION Culture and Climate Promote Equity/Equity and Diversity Knowledge Common Vision Engagement and Partners Relationships with Key Stakeholders Local Presence Formal Feedback Loops Mobilization of Stakeholders Financial Resources Maximize Revenue Infrastructure Strategic Plan Performance Management Continuous Quality Improvement

ELAC Quarterly Meeting Discussion Rodney J. MacKinnon Executive Director

ELAC Quarterly Meeting Quality vs. Access Components of high-quality program include Developmentally appropriate curriculum Adequate teacher training Safe environment Small group size and low adult to child ratios Parent-teacher communication (family engagement) Resources | fixed funding Waiting list Performance-based approach?

Education Requirements for Teachers ELAC Quarterly Meeting Education Requirements for Teachers 2002 legislation creating VPK required specific instructor credentials for school-year and summer VPK classrooms. Later legislation authorized DOE to approve educational credentials for instructors in school-year VPK equivalent to or greater than those originally specified. In 2005, SBOE adopted additional educational credentials to meet requirements for school-year VPK instructors. VPK teacher qualification requirements Summer programs BA in early childhood, primary or preschool education, prekindergarten disabilities, family and consumer science, or elementary education School-year programs CDA or Florida Child Care Professional Credential equivalent and have completed a Department of Education course on emergent literacy

ELAC Quarterly Meeting Open Discussion/Other Issues - Chairs Public Comment - Public Wrap Up and Adjourn - Acting Chair

Next meeting April 2017 Tallahassee