“Invest in Children” Child Care Quality Fund ’FY 14 1

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 29: Section 2JJ All funding requests submitted by individual providers/programs must adhere to the language included in the MA General Law Chapter 29: Section 2JJ. There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Child Care Quality Fund. There shall be credited to said Fund revenues received from the sale of Invest in Children distinctive registration plates issued pursuant to subsection (b) of section 2E of chapter 90. Amounts credited to said fund shall be available for expenditure by the commissioner of early education and care for providing grants to not for profit child care organizations for the purpose of improving child care services including, but not limited to, teacher training, training and education of consumers and parents, the purchase of educational curricula and materials, specialized training for bilingual and bicultural providers and consumers, and technical assistance for acquiring accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2

MGL CHAPTER 29 Section 2JJ: Child Care Quality Fund Became law in 1996 and made available in 1997; MA Office of Child Care Services was awarded the fund’s first grants in 1999; revenues generated from the sale of “Invest in Children” automobile registration plates; to be expended by the Commissioner of Early Education and Care to provide grants to not-for- profit child care organizations; To improve the quality of child care services 3

12,468 Plates on the road Collections approximately $300K a year Total collected to date: $4,254, Until 2010, programs submitted proposals to EEC for Quality Improvement Grants More than $2.5 million distributed to more than 200 programs No awards were issued in FY ‘10 and FY ‘11 4 “Invest in Children” Child Care Quality Funds

5 FY ’12 & FY ’13: $386K awarded to non-profit early education and care and out of school time programs for: Accreditation fees - 50% Intentional literacy efforts Child Development Associate (CDA) fees for programs at QRIS level 2 or higher

6 “Invest in Children” Child Care Quality Fund Current Balance: approx. $1 Million Proposal for FY ’14 Competitive bids for grants (up to $50K each) to support program quality in not-for-profit programs (up to $1 million total). The $1 million will be solicited in two rounds – Fall 2013 and Winter 2014.

7 “ Invest in Children” Child Care Quality Funds Non-profit early education and care programs will submit proposals for funds to support and enhance the quality of services delivered through: Reimbursement of Accreditation fees- 100% National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), Council on Accreditation (COA) (for school age child care)

8 “Invest in Children” Child Care Quality Funds (Continued) Reimbursement of fees for application or renewal of the Child Development Associate credential; Coaching and mentoring, professional education, books, materials, and stipends for substitutes; Professional learning communities among cohorts of educators; Professional development opportunities; Specialized training for bilingual and bicultural consumers; Improved outreach and communication with families Purchase of educational curricula, instructional supports and technical assistance Improvements in child learning environments

“Invest in Children” Child Care Quality Funds All successful proposals will need to clearly demonstrate how they support program quality as reflected in the MA QRIS Standards. MA QRIS Categories 1. Curriculum and Learning 2. Safe, Healthy Indoor and Outdoor Environments 3. Workforce Qualifications and Professional Development 4. Family and Community Engagement 5. Leadership, Management and Administration 9

“Invest in Children” Child Care Quality Funds Next Steps: Board votes to approve quality fund grant solicitation; Grant RFR issued in late October; Bidder’s Conference in late October/early November; Grants awarded in two rounds in late Fall 2013 and Winter