Child Care Regulations for Licensure Presentation Kevin Savage Licensing Administrator March 31, 2015 Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities

Agenda Rule Changes/Rationale/Source Review of Rules Promulgation Process and Timeline Rule Implementation

Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities Rule Changes/Rationale/Source Why? – Evolving nature of industry rules based upon best practices Influenced by: – Race to The Top (RIDE) – Caring for Our Children – Governor’s Early Learning Council – Child Care Provider Community How? – Consultation with National Association for Regulatory Administrators Internationally recognized for regulatory best-practice standards in the human service field

Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities Rules Promulgation – Process required by RIGL Administrative Procedures Act (APA) Ensures public input and agency reaction Child Care Center rules change were promulgated in accordance with APA

Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities Oct 2010-DCYF & Kids Count begin discussions with National Association of Regulatory Administrators (NARA) May--Meeting with Governor’s Early Learner Council (ELC) Sub-Committee Nov Conceptual consensus achieved from ELC and provider community representatives - Contract signed with NARA - Race to the Top (RTTP) Grant completed Jan--Discussions continue with NARA and ELC June NARA conducts site visit. Meets with local stakeholders, providers and licensing staff Jul NARA returns. Conducts Focus Groups and Public Forums to roll out suggested regulatory changes Aug -- Draft of new Regulations sent to DCYF by NARA Dec Feed back obtained from ECL and stakeholder community. - NARA created REVISED DRAFT of Child Care Center Regs. - Revised draft distributed to ELC Timeline

Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities Jan – -DCYF prepares for Public Hearings June 2013-Economic Impact Statement submitted to Office of Economic Development July 2013-Public Hearing Held - DCYF provides reaction to Public Hearing comments to NARA -NARA provides amended regulations consistent with Caring for our Children guidance Nov RULES PROMULGATED with a compliance date set for 31 July 2014 May 2014-Meeting with Senate, RIDE, Kids Count, DHS, RICCDA to discuss impact July 2014-DCYF develops/distributes “Measurement Guide for Child Care Centers” Aug 2014-Meeting with Senate Policy, RIDE, Kids Count, DHS, RICCDA - Determined providers were in need of compliance assistance Sept- Nov Meeting with House Policy Office to answer questions -RTTT Grant facility funding approved. Measuring process of child Care Centers occurs -Develop Variance Process to increase compliance timelines Timeline

Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities Dec Discuss guidelines for distribution of $700K set-aside grants for facility improvement work Feb First round of facility grants awarded Timeline

Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities Majority of Child Care Centers in compliance – 359 of 410 Daycare Centers in full compliance Working diligently with 51 providers in compliance through Variance Process – Facilitating application and distribution of set-aside grant money for compliance improvements – Will review extension of variances scheduled to end in July based upon demonstration of progress towards compliance. Rules Implementation and Current Status

Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities Early Care and Education standards are ever- changing and need to be reviewed periodically – Impacted by new technology, evolving industry standards tied to evidence based best-practices, and inter-governmental impacts (Education, etc) Revised rules are reasonable – Consistent with Caring for our Children guidelines and all other New England states – Adjusted DRAFT rules, based upon public hearings and provider inputs, in significant areas Implementation process was very reasonable – Compliant with Governor’s Office of Economic Development requirements for Economic Impact Statement – Extensive stakeholder outreach and engagement Conclusion

Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities QUESTIONS?