1 Board Meeting June 14, 2011 Child Care Development Fund – State Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013
2 CCDF State Plan Requirement, Funding & Flexibility CCDF Purpose FY11 EEC Budget Breakdown Public Hearings Schedule Summary of Public Comment CCDF Plan: Next Steps and Submission Timeline Discussion Overview
3 CCDF State Plan Requirement, Funding & Flexibility The CCDF Plan is the Commonwealths application for federal early education and care funding: All States shall submit a State Plan every two years, prior to the expiration of the current Plan EEC estimates that over $471 million in federal and state funds will be available for child care services in FY12. CCDF law places certain limitations and requirements on Lead Agencies charged with administering child care programs and services. For example: At least 4% must be spent on activities to improve the quality No more than 5% may be spent on administrative expenses Not less than 70% shall be used for families: (1) on TANF; (2) transitioning off TANF; or (3) at risk of receiving TANF Federal guidance grants great flexibility to States in the design and implementation of the CCDF Plan within certain minimum requirements: be under 13 years of age, or under the age of 19 if special needs; Household income must not exceed 85% of the SMI; and must either reside with parent(s) who are working, attending a job training, involved in educational program, or are at risk of receiving protective services.
CCDF Purpose Purpose of CCDF is to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care by: Providing low-income families with the financial resources to find and afford quality child care Enhancing quality and increasing the supply of child care Providing parents with a broad range of options Strengthening the role of family Improving the quality and coordination of child care Increasing the availability of early childhood development programs and before/after school services 4
FY11 EEC Budget Breakdown 5
Public Hearings Four Public hearings on the Plan were held as follows: Worcester, MA -May 31, 2011 at the EEC Central MA Regional Office; Taunton, MA - May 31, 2011 at the EEC Southeast & Cape Regional Office; Lawrence, MA - June 1, 2011 at the EEC Northeast Regional Office; Quincy, MA - June 6, 2011 at the EEC Metro Boston Regional Office. In addition, written comments in any format (e.g., electronic or hard copy) were also encouraged and were due by June 8,
Public Comments: Common Themes Increase Access Increase Rates QRIS-- general questions regarding current initiatives, future funding availability General Quality expenditure questions– (e.g., will additional funding be available to increase provider compensation and/or increase professional development opportunities) General Budget questions regarding FY11 and FY12 Transportation (e.g., rates dont cover costs) Special needs access and rates (e.g., request for additional funding or higher rates to serve children with special needs) 7
8 CCDF Plan: Next Steps and Submission Timeline June 14 th Board Meeting – Board votes to approve plan and authorize submission to ACF June 15 th to 30 th – EEC reviews and prepares Plan for final submission to ACF, which includes incorporating any changes requested by the Board July 1 st – CCDF State Plan due to ACF