1 Child Care Quality Funds

Funding Proposals EEC is proposing to utilize funding from the Child Care Quality Fund in two ways for FY2014: 1. Amend Educator and Provider Support (EPS) FY2014 allocations to further grantees’ services related to accreditation and the Child Development Associate (CDA) 2. Issue a competitive bid for individual providers/programs that would support accreditation and CDA at the program level 2

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 29: Section 2JJ All funding requests submitted by EPS grantees or individual providers/programs must adhere to the language included in the MA General Law Chapter 29: Section 2JJ. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Child Care Quality Fund. There shall be credited to said Fund revenues received from the sale of Invest in Children distinctive registration plates issued pursuant to subsection (b) of section 2E of chapter 90. Amounts credited to said fund shall be available for expenditure by the commissioner of early education and care for providing grants to not for profit child care organizations for the purpose of improving child care services including, but not limited to, teacher training, training and education of consumers and parents, the purchase of educational curricula and materials, specialized training for bilingual and bicultural providers and consumers, and technical assistance for acquiring accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 3

Amendments to FY2014 EPS Grant EEC is proposing to amend current allocations to $100,000 to support regional activities related to accreditation and CDA. Proposed activities and allocations must be based on regional needs and must be above and beyond current grant activities. EPS proposals will help to shape the competitive grant for providers/programs. 4

Region 1: Western MA: Preschool Enrichment Team (PET) Increase capacity of coaches and mentors to provide intensive technical assistance for accreditation, specifically targeting larger urban programs that have a higher number of children in need. Increase funding available to support the costs related to accreditation and CDA. Create additional access to the CDA for educators who have limited English language skills or who are unable to attend face to face courses due to geography. PET has contacted the Council of Professional Recognition in regards to offering a CDA course in Russian. The main challenge is translating CDA materials into Russian. PET is also looking to replicate their hybrid/CDA model. Currently they support a hybrid CDA model in Berkshire County with support from the Berkshire Readiness Center. 5

Region 2: Central MA: Family Services of Central MA Support NAEYC accreditation with additional consultation including classroom coaching, necessary coursework, and fee reimbursement. Support CDA through professional learning community, necessary coursework, and fee reimbursement. 6

Region 3: Northeast MA: North Shore Community College Support accreditation and CDA fees. Funding would allow the Partnership to revert back to being able to fully support educators and programs with their CDA and accreditation fees. Offer additional CDA coursework. Currently two cohorts are supported through the EPS grant. Region 3 would like to offer an additional cohort to meet the needs of the region. Funding will be used to support 3 courses for educators with limited English proficiency. The cohort model includes coaching and mentoring and bi-lingual co-instructor. To purchase materials to enhance region’s coaching and mentoring initiative 7

Region 5: Southeast MA: Child Development and Education, Inc Support accreditation consultation. Support programs Program Improvement Plans related to accreditation up to $5000 per program. Provide fee reimbursement and coursework. 8

Region 6: Metro Boston: ABCD, Inc Expand current college CDA pathway by offering the CEU-credit program in Chinese. Support additional CDA groups working with a coach or mentor around CDA goals including coursework and supports for the application process. Support CDA application fees. Extend current extensive NAEYC accreditation support to Needham and Dedham areas, approximately new programs. Sponsor another NAFCC accreditation orientation class with coaching and mentoring available for approximately 15 additional family child care providers to begin the NAFCC process. 9

Competitive Grants to Providers EEC is proposing to issue a competitive grant to individual providers/programs Participants must meet the eligibility for funding included Massachusetts General Law Chapter 29: Section 2JJ. Individual grants will be issued for up to $35,000. Anticipated grant term will be January 1, 2014 – June 30,