Response to Recommendations by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) The Massachusetts Child Care Resource & Referral Network

MA Child Care Resource and Referral Network Mission The MA Child Care Resource and Referrals Networks mission is to contribute to and strengthen the Early Childhood and School Age system in Massachusetts so that it meets the needs of all children, families, and educators. This is achieved through the statewide coordination and delivery of high quality Child Care Resource and Referral services: – Information, Referral, and Consumer Education – Subsidy Management – Workforce Development, Training, and Technical Assistance

Working on the Ground… Specifically, we: Help parents/caregivers take the guesswork out of finding and paying for child care Increase the supply of quality child care Help create child care solutions for communities through local and regional partnerships to benefit Massachusetts children and the adults who care for them

Shared Mission The Massachusetts Child Care Resource & Referral agencies have a shared mission with EEC: To provide the foundation that supports all children in their development as lifelong learners and contributing members of the community, and supports families in their essential work as parents and caregivers. Primary Source: education-and-care/ education-and-care/

Shared Strategic Goals with EEC 1. Create and implement an system that improves and supports quality early education and care statewide for all children; 2. Increase family support, access, and affordability to strengthen families; 3. Create a diverse workforce system that provides supports, expectations, and core competencies leading to positive outcomes for childrens learning and development; 4. Create and implement a communications strategy to reach all stakeholders, providing a collective voice on the importance and value of reaching children early to ensure their success in school and in life; and 5. Build the internal infrastructure to support achieving the vision. Primary source: From Birth to School Readiness: The Massachusetts Early Learning Plan , Grant Proposal: Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge

Two studies: CAYL & NACCRRA CAYL study: – Developed over a 9 month period, October 2010 through June 2011 – Comprehensive process of information gathering, analyses and deliberations – Conducted by a team of advisors and staff that included recognized experts in the field – Examined EEC-model of CCR&R service delivery and its impact on consumers receiving those services. – Recommends strengthening and redefining CCR&R services in Massachusetts NACCRRA study: – Conducted in November 2011 – Held three focus groups before delivering draft report in early December 2011 – Conducted by NACCRRA staff – Building on CAYL report, seeks to reexamine the methodology of current service delivery for consumers through CCR&Rs in Massachusetts – Recommends a strengthening and return to the national model of CCR&R core service values

Common themes Both reports recommend that Massachusetts move toward a more coordinated and efficient state delivery system focused on: 1. Access 2. Standards & national benchmarks 3. Technology

Access Continue to forge strong relationships with families, child care providers, social service providers, and employers, and use these relationships to connect clients and providers to other services in the community Coordinate a collaborative statewide system of early childhood education and care that strengthens families

Standards and National Benchmarks Improve statewide standards and benchmarks for quality Continue to provide support for all families through active referral and consumer education Continue to provide professional development for individuals and programs Continue to provide voucher management services in Massachusetts Expand and improve quality of existing databases for effective delivery of core services

Technology Continue the groundbreaking work CCR&Rs have already done, using technology to create efficiencies Improve and maximize the system-wide use of the technology and information systems currently available Consistent use by all parties involved to improve accuracy, efficiencies and staff productivity

MACCR&R Response The MACCR&R Network is in agreement with common recommendations regarding access, standards and national benchmarks, and technology. We are ready to move forward with the development of an implementation plan regarding these recommendations.

MA CCRR&R Recommendations We recommend implementing our shared goals through a model that creates a collaborative statewide system and maintains regional reach to best serve families and programs. Historically, regionalization has served Massachusetts well/ is used today by EEC to carry out its work not only with the CCR&Rs (with 29 outposts), but also with EPS grantees.

EEC priorities EEC promotes efforts that: consider the whole child, including his/her family and community; use trusted advisors and peers to help inform and engage families; respect cultural and linguistic differences among families and communities; promote engagement and capacity building; and incorporate feedback loops, continuous learning and improvement. (pp. 158 – 159, RTT)

Supporting EEC Priorities by: Informing and Engaging Communities Regionalization provides critical opportunities for one-to-one contacts and personal connections when technology or phone contact cannot meet all needs. CCR&Rs provide culturally and linguistically appropriate support to families and communities they serve, with staff members that speak 17 different languages.

Supporting EEC Priorities by: Ensuring Quality and Accountability CCR&Rs ensure quality and accountability for data that goes into statewide databases. Follow guidelines in our statewide consistency manual for NACCRRAware. Provide excellent eligibility determination and voucher reassessment. Provide monthly service reports to EEC. Work collaboratively with EPS and CFCEs.

Supporting EEC Priorities by: Promoting Continuous Learning and Improvement CCR&Rs serve as trusted advisors for local communities – we are the eyes and ears to the changing needs of our families and communities. CCR&Rs engage with families, providers, and communities and create feedback loops for continuous learning and improvement.

Supporting EEC Priorities by: Providing Training Strengthening Families, recognizing them as full partners in the education of their children empowered to be involved in the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of their children Meet unique training needs – support QRIS rollout to centers, systems, and family child care. Provide parent education on QRIS

MCCR&R Network Recommends Massachusetts Child Care Resource & Referral Network encourages EEC to engage in thoughtful discussion with key stakeholders over the next year to develop a comprehensive, coordinated plan that will best meet the needs of families, providers and the local community.