EQUIP is a public & private initiative to improve the quality of early care and education in Oregon. August, 2010 EQUIP is a public & private initiative to improve the quality of early care and education in Oregon.

EQUIP: Education & Quality Investment Partnership To improve the quality of child care, strengthen the childhood care and education workforce and prepare Oregon’s youngest children for success in school.

EQUIP Partners Early Childhood Matters Advisory Council Oregon Commission for Child Care The Children’s Institute Oregon Employment Dept. Child Care Division Private Funders The Oregon Community Foundation Meyer Memorial Trust Penney Family Fund Oregon Child Care Resource & Referral Network Center for Career Development, Portland State University Child Care Research Partnership, Oregon State University Teaching Research Institute, Western Oregon University Head Start Collaboration Office Oregon Head Start Collaboration Office, National Office of Head Start/Dept. of Education

EQUIP: A Statewide Quality Improvement System EQUIP facilities Quality Indicators Program Oregon Program of Quality Quality Enhancement Testing EQUIP providers and practitioners Education Awards Oregon’s Registry Campaign Scholarships for training & education

EQUIP Facilities Quality Indicator Program Measures research-based quality indicators for all regulated child care and education facilities. Oregon Program of Quality The Oregon Program of Quality is a state designation indicating an identified, research-based, measure of quality. Quality Enhancement Experiments Contribution Tax Credit Quality Enhancement Projects in two communities. Findings from three-years of intervention at each site.

Quality Indicator Program Measures research-based quality indicators for all regulated child care and education facilities. Research Based Objective Sustainable Universal

Quality Indicator Program Builds upon the existing infrastructure: CCD Licensing collects quality information Oregon State University analyzes data and creates the QIP Report CCR&R’s disseminate quality information to parents and the public

Quality Indicator Program Adult to child ratio Group size Education of director, teachers, and family child care providers Training of teachers and family child care providers Accreditation Center staff retention and family child care home stability Compensation of center teachers

Quality Indicator Program The QIP Report compares program level quality indicators to AAP standards, licensing standards and community averages. Results: 1. Dissemination of quality information to providers, parents, and the public 2. Program-level data so facilities can target improvements & market strengths 3. Measurable results for investors and policy makers 4. Annual measures of average education, training, compensation, and other indicators at state & regional levels

Oregon Program of Quality A state designation indicating an identified, research- based, measure of quality.

Oregon Program of Quality Oregon Program of Quality: a state designation of quality that aligns quality standards. Alignment of Standards: Oregon’s early learning standards for child outcomes: Early Childhood Foundations Federal Head Start, Early Head Start, Oregon Pre-K, and K-3rd Grade

Oregon Program of Quality Six quality standards with demonstration criteria Collaborative family partnerships Child development and learning Physical environment Highly qualified personnel Administration & business practices Health & safety

Oregon Program of Quality Application Process flow chart

OPQ Benefits for Facilities Eligible for targeted technical assistance and funding to move from basic licensing toward national accreditation. Opportunity for technical assistance to meet Head Start performance standards. partner with Early Head Start, Head Start, and Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education for community placements

OPQ Benefits for Facilities (cont.) Eligible to receive subsidies for placing i nfants/toddlers, children with disabilities, school-age children, and those needing odd hour placements Marketing materials for programs or small business OPQ designation on Quality Indicator reports

Quality Enhancement Experiments Projects in two different communities Random assignment of both centers and family child care homes Intervention included coaching/mentoring, fcc networks, scholarships, facility funds, parent financial assistance Results of intervention compared to controls Measures of quality increased Enrollment in and movement on Oregon Registry increased Care more stable and parents increased hours of employment

EQUIPPING Individuals Financial Incentives & Supports for Quality Improvement Education Awards Oregon’s Registry Campaign: Career Lattice Scholarships for Training and Education

Education Awards Financial incentives for educational achievements and continued education and training. Eligibility Working a minimum of 20 hours/week; and Working with children under the age of 13 Size of Awards for Those Working: CCD Licensed (includes Head Start licensed) or Active DHS Listed Facilities Milestone 1: Steps 3-6 = $100 Milestone 2: Steps = $250 Milestone 3: Steps 9-12 = $ 500 License Exempt Facilities Milestone: Steps 3 and above = $50

Oregon’s Registry Campaign Oregon’s statewide campaign for two years, 7/09 - 6/11. Goal: 50 percent of workforce enrolled and assigned a step in Oregon Registry. Concentrated effort by 13 local child care resource & referral agencies/direct contact with providers. Engage providers in quality improvement initiatives Individual and group coaching on enrollment and improvement plans Focus on licensed family and center-based providers. T/TA support for Early Head Start Teachers to apply for Oregon Registry at level 7 and Infant/Toddler Credential (State certificate as alternative to national CDA)

Scholarships John & Betty Gray Scholarships (OCF) Community College Education Training and Certification Support of Specialized Training (ARRA) Directors Certificate Infant Toddler Certificate Infant Toddler Mental Health Certificate

EQUIP System Integration Oregon Registry Online Individual training and education database of the childhood care and education workforce. Ties facility level and individual data. Training and education summaries for providers. Will include all individuals working in regulated centers by Statewide training calendar for all in the system training.

EQUIP Summary Quality standards & assurance (QIP & OPQ) Dissemination of information to parents and the public (QIP) Supports for Quality Improvement (Scholarships, Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Projects, OPQ awards, Oregon Registry Campaign) Financial Incentives (Education Awards, OPQ) System Integration (EQUIP—integration of quality initiatives, OPQ standards alignment, Linking Oregon Registry Online and QIP databases)

Funding Sources $ 1.9 million ARRA for system quality improvements, including automation $1.0 million ARRA for targeted infant/toddler quality improvements – facilities and workforce $660,000 annually Child Care Contribution Tax Credits Child Care and Development Fund –federal Discretionary funds $450,000 Oregon Community Foundation $170,000 Penney Family Foundation $75,000 Meyer Memorial Trust

Contact Info Dawn Bonder (503) Heidi East McGowan Kitty Lake (541) Dell Ford (503) Thank you