1. Early Learning Advisory Council
Quarterly Meeting
Tampa
Jan. 13, 2017

2. ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions
Recognitions
Announcements
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes – 7/29/16

3. ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Agenda
Acting Chair Convenes
Partner Updates Matt Guse, AELC
Department of Children & Families
Dr. Ben Heusten, Waterford Institute
Agency Updates Rodney MacKinnon
Legislative Update and Rules
Stephanie Gehres
Impact Project
Discussion Rodney MacKinnon
Quality vs Access
Education Requirements for Teachers
Survey Results
Open Discussion/Other Issues Chairs
Public Comment Public
Wrap Up and Adjourn
Acting Chair

4. Association of Early Learning Coalitions Matt Guse President
Partner Update
Association of Early Learning Coalitions Matt Guse President

5. Florida Department of Children and Families
Partner Update
Florida Department of Children and Families

6. School Readiness Process
Communication between the Department of Children and Families and the Early Learning Coalitions

7. Communication is Key Effective Communication is Paramount
Help ELC Staff Know the DCF Procedures
Help ELC Staff Know Who to Contact
Communication Must be Timely
Use brief bullets and discuss details verbally.

8. DCF Single Point of Contact
Cindy Campbell
Use brief bullets and discuss details verbally.

9. DCF ID Numbers in EFS DCF ID Number should be in ELC’s EFS
DCF ID Number should be Included on the SR Form 10 and Computer-Generated s
If DCF ID Number has not been issued, then no School Readiness Inspection can occur

10. DCF ID Number Breakdown
Provider types:
C = Licensed Child Care Facility
F = Licensed Family Day Care Home (FDCH)
L = Licensed Large Family Child Care Home (FCCH)
R = Registered Family Day Care Home (Registered FDCH)
X = Religious Exempt
E = All Other Exempt Programs (Gold Seal, Public/ Nonpublic School, VPK, Informal)
(This only applies to DCF providers and Sarasota, not LLA)

11. School Readiness Process
1/1/2017: Any provider requesting a new School Readiness contract must have an inspection (conducted by DCF/LLA licensing staff) showing full compliance with health and safety standards.
What does that mean for a licensed program?
What does that mean for a license-exempt program?

12. Licensed Program Provider applies for SR contract.
ELC staff look up most recent inspection in CARES to verify all health and safety standards are compliant and then complete contract.
ELC sends SR Form 10 with contract begin and end dates to DCF Program Office at
DCF Program Office updates existing provider profile in CARES and notifies the region’s licensing office.

13. License-Exempt Program
Provider applies for SR contract.
ELC sends SR Form 10 and DCF Determination letter to DCF Program Office at
DCF Program Office updates or creates provider profile in CARES, then sends the DCF ID number to the ELC.
DCF Program Office notifies the region to conduct a pre-contractual SR inspection. This initial inspection will be announced.
Once the inspection is reviewed and uploaded, a notification will be sent to the ELC from CARES.
Mention the 45 day window for new inspections.

14. License-Exempt Program Continued…
ELC will verify that all SR standards are fully compliant on the inspection report in CARES and complete the contract.
ELC will send DCF Program Office the contract begin and end dates so the provider profile in CARES can be updated and SR information will show on the website.

15. Current Communication Concerns
All ELCs are asked to use the general inbox
Public Schools with an SR contract:
ELC will provide DCF with direct contact information for the specific programs at each school that hold the SR contract.
Licensing needs to know if they are inspecting the VPK program, School- Age Extended Day Program or both.
Current contact information is for a district contact and the school personnel do not know which programs have the SR contract.
Example -We have inspected the wrong program

16. How To Find a Licensing Counselor
All licensed, School Readiness (SR) and Gold Seal providers are assigned a counselor.
Registered Homes, Religious Exempt and Exempt Public/NonPublic Schools (with SR) are assigned an “Application Admin.”
Application Admins process provider applications for Registered Home and Religious Exempt providers. They also input SR data for all provider types.
Notification to the region.
Assigned to the counselor.

19. Verifying School Readiness Data in CARES
View data within the provider’s CARES profile.
Review a provider’s violation history by reviewing their progressive enforcement matrix.
Application Admins process provider applications for Registered Home and Religious Exempt providers. They also input SR data for all provider types.

21. The School Readiness Profile
Reiterate what the ‘Referral Date’ and ‘Assignment Date’ is

22. The School Readiness Profile
Contract Status: This will reflect the status of the provider’s contract. Only those with an “Active” or “Applied” status can receive SR inspections.
Early Learning Coalition: This reflects the ELC assigned to the provider. Only 1 coalition can be assigned.
Referral Date: The date DCF was notified the provider intends to enter into an SR contract (static date).
Assignment Date: The date the provider is assigned to a Supervisor/Counselor for inspection (static date).
Contract Initiation Date: The date the SR contract is active (static date).
Contract Expiration Date: The date the SR contract Expires (changes with renewal).

23. Opening/Closing CARES User Accounts
Send ELC User Account Request Form to
Yemi Quijada

24. DCF School Readiness contact:
QUESTIONS?
DCF School Readiness contact:
Cindy Campbell (850)

25. Partner Update – Coalition
Benjamin Heuston, PhD President & CEO

26. ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Lunch

27. ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Agency Updates
Rodney J. MacKinnon
Executive Director
Legislative Update
Rules

28. School Readiness Rules – Effective Rules
Rules Update
School Readiness Rules – Effective Rules
Rule 6M Statewide Provider Contract for the School Readiness Program
Now effective, to be used beginning with contracts for all new SR providers on or after Jan. 1, 2017.
All existing SR providers will begin using for 17/18 Fiscal Year.
Rule 6M School Readiness Eligibility Provisions and Rule 6M Documenting Eligibility for the School Readiness Program
Now effective, beginning Jan. 1, 2017.
All new CCDF eligibility requirements should currently be in practice.
Rule 6M Health and Safety Checklists and Inspections
Effective Oct. 24, 2016.
Health and Safety Inspections started in mid-November.
Rule re-opened to correct mistakes and clarify issues Nov. 3, 2016.
Workshop held Nov. 18, Public hearing not requested.
Rule scheduled to go before State Board of Education Jan. 18, 2017.

29. School Readiness Rules – Rules in Progress
Rules Update
School Readiness Rules – Rules in Progress
Rule 6M Required Parent Co-payment
If requested, a public hearing will be held via webinar Jan. 17, 2017, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Updated Graduated Phase-out and clarified information on transfers.
Rule is scheduled to go before State Board of Education Feb. 16, 2017.
Rule 6M Statewide Provider Contract for the School Readiness Program
If requested, a public hearing will be held via webinar Jan. 18, 2017, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Revised to align with updated SR contract and removed health and safety sections.
Rule scheduled to go before State Board of Education Feb. 16, 2017.
Rule 6M Child Attendance and Provider Reimbursements
Workshop held via webinar Jan. 10, 2017, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Comments from workshop being compiled.
Rule scheduled to go before State Board of Education Mar. 22, 2017.

30. VPK Rules – Effective and in Progress
Rules Update
VPK Rules – Effective and in Progress
Rule 6M – Statewide Provider Contract for VPK
Now effective, to be used beginning with contracts for VPK program year.
Coming to Provider Portal early next year.
Rule 6M – VPK Provider and Class Registration Procedures; Application; Eligibility Determination
Internal development continues, based on workshop comments received.
Second workshop will be scheduled soon.
Rule 6M Child Enrollment Procedure for the VPK Education Program
If requested, public hearing will be held Jan. 17, 2017, via webinar from 3 to 4 p.m.
Updated “VPK class” field as required on the COE, as needed for payment.
Reformatted parent handbook (Put all content from parent handbook and parent guide in one parent-friendly document).

31. VPK Rules – Effective and in Progress
Rules Update
VPK Rules – Effective and in Progress
Rule 6M – Uniform Attendance Policy for Funding the VPK Program
Update emergencies closures to include when school districts close due to weather.
Remove some information regarding VPK class schedules and notification and include in Rule 6M-8.300, F.A.C.
New Rule – Equivalent Credentials for VPK Instructors
Falls under the Department of Education (6A rule, not 6M).
Developing with Department of Education.
Adopting approved equivalent educational credentials.
The current approved list was adopted by State Board of Education in 2005.

32. Agency Update Stephanie Gehres Deputy Director Operations and Programs
ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Agency Update Stephanie Gehres Deputy Director Operations and Programs
Impact Project

33. Impact Project Overview
Goal: To build/foster a comprehensive, coordinated early learning system that clearly defines quality, increases the capacity and availability of quality early learning programs, and positively impacts children and families throughout the state.
-Florida was selected to be 1 of 9 states to participate in the Impact Project. Florida’s goal is to align the state’s quality work into a more systemic approach. This alignment will allow for capturing the needed data to improve the quality of early learning in the state. The leadership team consists of multidisciplinary leadership within the Office as well as leadership from the AELC, Head Start, and DCF.
-The first site visit was 8/9-8/10.
-During this visit a gap analysis was completed to identify strengths and target the areas for growth within the state’s quality improvement work.

34. Impact Project Leadership team
First site visit complete (Aug. 9-10, 2016)
Identification of capacity gaps
Second site visit complete (Dec , 2016)
Streamlining initiatives
Cultural responsiveness
Detailed project plan

35. Impact Project CAPACITY BUILDING DIMENSION Culture and Climate
Promote Equity/Equity and Diversity Knowledge
Common Vision
Engagement and Partners
Relationships with Key Stakeholders
Local Presence
Formal Feedback Loops
Mobilization of Stakeholders
Financial Resources
Maximize Revenue
Infrastructure
Strategic Plan
Performance Management
Continuous Quality Improvement

36. ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Discussion
Rodney J. MacKinnon
Executive Director

37. ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Quality vs. Access
Components of high-quality program include
Developmentally appropriate curriculum
Adequate teacher training
Safe environment
Small group size and low adult to child ratios
Parent-teacher communication (family engagement)
Resources | fixed funding
Waiting list
Performance-based approach?

38. Education Requirements for Teachers
ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Education Requirements for Teachers
2002 legislation creating VPK required specific instructor credentials for school-year and summer VPK classrooms. Later legislation authorized DOE to approve educational credentials for instructors in school-year VPK equivalent to or greater than those originally specified. In 2005, SBOE adopted additional educational credentials to meet requirements for school-year VPK instructors.
VPK teacher qualification requirements
Summer programs
BA in early childhood, primary or preschool education, prekindergarten disabilities, family and consumer science, or elementary education
School-year programs
CDA or Florida Child Care Professional Credential equivalent and have completed a Department of Education course on emergent literacy

39. ELAC Quarterly Meeting
Open Discussion/Other Issues Chairs
Public Comment Public
Wrap Up and Adjourn Acting Chair

40. Next meeting April 2017 Tallahassee