STRONG MINDS NETWORK September /30/14
FCCH QC Quarterly Meeting AGENDA Networking Welcome Strong Minds Network Presentation Questions / Answers Performance Funding Pilot - ELC Preview Announcement
Strong Minds Network
Why a New System? New evidence & research Return on investment (ROI) Feedback from national experts Feedback from stakeholders Most intentional high quality providers Streamline Procedures & Process
Vision and Mission Vision Children will have quality early educational experiences that will increase their chances of achieving school success and becoming productive members of society Mission To use research and data to increase the quality of early care and education programs through integrated supports and resources offered to the early learning community, children and their families.
Goals Children are ready for school To improve children’s learning and development To improve teacher-child interactions To improve parent engagement
Guiding Principles We believe: in access to quality child care for all children in maximizing resources to get the best outcomes for children in community partnerships in program leadership as the driving force of change in continuous quality improvement (through assessment, professional development, Evaluation) a well trained & educated work force will lead toward child outcomes children thrive when engaged in positive relationships with peers, adults, and families quality child care will help close the achievement gap for at risk children We are: solution focused accountable for child outcomes research & data driven advocates for children and families strength-based culturally competent and value diversity invested in technology and resources motivated and intentional
Pre-Entry Criteria School Readiness Agreement or Head Start/Early Head Start Contract In good standing with: SR Agreement VPK Agreement HS/EHS Contract Licensing No Class 1 and no more than two of the same Class 2 licensing violations in the past 12 months
Pre-Entry Criteria Agree to use Gold Child Assessment System Gold Seal Accreditation within three years of achieving In-Network status All professional staff are active members of the Palm Beach County Early Childhood Registry
Active Registry Membership Tips for Directors Register your site in the Registry system Direct Program User Manual available at View staff list along with career level, position title & Registry Status “Current” status = Active in the Registry Complete Staff Turnover online Encourage Staff to complete FERPA waiver to achieve 100% membership in the Registry
Application Online application will be available in the portal at: Application will ask if you would like to use a previous ITERS-R or FCCERS-R score for eligibility Notification by within 15 days regarding status: Ineligible Assessment Pending In-Network, Tier 1 In-Network, Tier 2
Program Assessments
Program Assessment Preparing for an Assessment Phone call the prior month Identification of atypical days Verify classrooms and ages of children Watch video vignettes to prepare
Program Assessment Assessments for Strong Minds Preschool CLASS – classrooms with children 3-5 ITERS – classrooms with children 0-2 ½ Toddler CLASS – optional for classrooms with children 2 ½-3 FCCERS – for Family Child Care Centers
Network Status In-Network Promising Emerging
In-Network Status Required Assessment Scores (Tier 1) Required Assessment Scores (Tier 2) Available Supports 4.0 on identified items of ITERS-R/FCCERS-R *CLASS Domains: 5.0 Emotional Support 4.0 Classroom Organization 1.5 Instructional Support * not applicable to FCCH 5.5 on identified items on ITERS-R or FCCERS-R *CLASS Domains: 6.5 Emotional Support 5.5 Classroom Organization 3.0 Instructional Support * not applicable to FCCH Targeted Technical Assistance Professional Development Career Advising ACHIEVE Salary Supplement Full access to SEEK Scholarship Tiered Reimbursement Supplements
Promising Status Assessment ScoresAvailable Supports on identified items of ITERS-R/FCCERS-R *CLASS Domains: Emotional Support Classroom Organization Instructional Support * not applicable to FCCH Limited targeted technical assistance Professional Development Career Advising ACHIEVE Salary Supplement SEEK Scholarship
Emerging Status Assessment ScoresAvailable Supports Less than a 3.5 on identified items of ITERS-R/FCCERS-R *CLASS Domains: Less than 4.5 on Emotional Support Less than 3.5 on Classroom Organization * not applicable to FCCH Limited targeted technical assistance Professional Development Career Advising SEEK Scholarship
Network Eligibility & Supports
Request for Technical Assistance Emerging Status - the services for this status will be going out for competitive bid and anticipated to begin summer of In-Network and Promising Status - access technical assistance by contacting a Navigator.
Technical Assistance
TA Specialists will provide targeted technical assistance in the following targeted areas: ◦Accreditation ◦Assessment and Documentation ◦Behavior Management / Special Needs ◦Curriculum, Planning and Instruction ◦Interactions TA supports can be offered on site, via phone, virtually, and in groups
Career Advising To provide individual professional development guidance and support to the Early Childhood Workforce of Palm Beach County Strong Minds Network are assigned a Career Advisor Appointment, extended hours, walk-in during business hours, on-site One on one, face to face, through technology and group settings Tutoring services
Professional Development Registry approved community based training Informal/non-credit courses CLASS Gold ESOL ECPC/FCCPC College Credit Certificates AS Degree in Early Childhood Education- PBSC Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education- FAU and FIU Master Degree in Early Childhood Education- FAU Early Childhood degrees at other institutions of Higher Education
SEEK Scholarships In-Network, Promising and Emerging GED Test Fee Translation/Evaluation of Foreign Higher Education degrees PBSC Test Fees (PERT, TABE, COMPASS) ECPC/FCCPC coursework Director Credential coursework Non-Credit Coursework (HEO)
SEEK Scholarships Community Based Training Associate Degree in ECE (including Prep, General Education and Language courses) Bachelor Degree in ECE Master’s Degree – up to 12 ECE Credits Required books/materials for coursework Handbook, Deadlines and Application Forms available at
ACHIEVE Salary Supplements 2 New Awards
Tiered Reimbursement Supplement Tier 1 (Daily reimbursement Rate) Tier 2 (Daily reimbursement Rate) High Needs Area6% ($1.74) 8% ($2.32) Not in High Needs Area (Publicly Funded) 6% ($1.74) 8% ($2.32) Not in High Needs Area (Private Pay) 4% ($1.16) 6% ($1.74) High Needs= High Poverty Zip Code & High Poverty Census Tract Area
Formula Sample – Large FCCH Large Family Child Care Home with 12 children enrolled between 6am and 6pm Monday through Friday High Needs Area, Tier 2: $2.32 daily rate per child (8%) $2.32 daily rate X 12 children = $27.84 per day supplement $27.84 per day X 20 days per month = $ per month $ per month X 12 months = $6, annual tiered reimbursement supplement
Tiered Reimbursement Supplements Monthly PaymentAnnual Payment Number of ChildrenTier 1Tier 2Annual Tier 1Annual Tier 2 6 $208.80$278.40$2,505.60$3, $417.60$556.80$5,011.20$6, $870.00$1,160.00$10,440.00$13, $1,740.00$2,320.00$20,880.00$27, $3,480.00$4,640.00$41,760.00$55, Assumption = high need providers
Gold Child Assessment System Application still available on the Portal and the ELC website assessment-pilothttp:// assessment-pilot The GOLD program will continue to provide laptops for classrooms, training and support Training available through Palm Beach State College Technical assistance also available through your Technical Assistance Specialist
Questions
Early Learning Coalition Performance Funding Pilot The Office of Early Learning is conducting a pilot to determine whether specific training and teaching approaches will improve children’s learning in school readiness programs. To participate in the pilot: ◦Child enrollment must have at least 30% of birth-5 children in school readiness. ◦No Class I violations in the last two years ◦No more than 2 Class II violations in the last two years ◦All staff must participate ◦Agree to all benchmarks, assessments and training participation ◦All applications must be submitted at For questions about the pilot please call or For more information about visit,
Strong Minds Preview for FCCH
To volunteer to be a part of the Strong Minds Preview: Review Pre-Entry Criteria Complete Online Application at:
Strong Minds Preview for FCCH Important Dates 10/27/2014 Application is opened in the provider portal 11/07/2014 Deadline for submission of application and checklists 12/01/2014 Program Assessments Begin
Strong Minds Contacts