1. Debra McMannis, Director Early Education and Support Division
State Updates
Debra McMannis, Director Early Education and Support Division

2. FY 2016-17 California State Preschool Program Request for Applications
Round Two: CSPP Expansion RFA
RFA Closed:
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Score Notification to Applicants:
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Appeals Due:
Friday, March 31, 2017
Proposed Awards Announced:
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Program Start Date:
July 1, 2017

3. Management Bulletins
MB Subject: Clarify that a Digital Signature May be Used to Satisfy the Requirements of an Electronic Signature
The MB informs all child care contractors who contract with the CDE under the Child Care and Development Services Act (the Act) and all child care providers under the Act that a “digital signature,” as defined, is considered a type of “electronic signature” under the UETA. 
MB Subject: The Use of a Digital Signature for All Child Care Contractors
The MB informs all child care contractors who contract with the CDE under the Act that they are authorized to use digital signatures.

4. Early Education in the Governor’s 2017–18 Proposed Budget
Pauses any additional rate increases
No additional slots for 17/18
Intent to foster efficiencies and better align early education programs:
(AB104) Use of electronic applications for child care subsidies
(AB104) Allow children with exceptional needs to fill available slots in part-day CSPP, even if families don’t meet income eligibility requirements
(AB104) Align definition of homelessness with McKinney-Vento
Allow LEAs to better align CSPP and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) programs in areas such as facility licensing, adult-to-student ratios, teacher education requirements and program minutes
SSPI supports overall investment in education in the Governor’s Budget, however as state revenue improves and the budget process continues, we support prioritizing additional investments for Early Education

5. 2017–18 Quality Improvement Budget
2 Stakeholder Input Sessions held
Fall 2016
Per 2016 – 17 Budget Trailer Bill re:
Quality Expenditure Plan:
Post new spending plan on or before 3/1/2017 that:
supports QRIS
Maintains funding for R&Rs, LPCs, and licensing enforcement
Complies with federal CCDBG Act

6. QRIS Budget SB 826 Budget Act 2016, page 485 6110-194-0001 Provisions:
Funds in Schedules (4), (9), (10), and (11) shall be allocated to meet federal requirements to improve the quality of child care and shall be used in accordance with the approved California state plan for the federal Child Care and Development
Fund that is developed pursuant to the requirements under Section of the Education Code. Funds in Schedule (12) of
Item of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2015 shall be included when calculating the state’s child care quality allocation as required by the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant. These funds shall apply equally towards the quality allocations in 2016–17 and 2017–18.
The legislature appropriated roughly $25m in for Infant/Toddler QRIS on a one time basis. The administration is using part of that money to count towards the increase in the minimum quality expenditure going from 4% to 7%. They decided to go in this direction instead of increasing the budget and allowing new/expanded/ongoing projects.

7. Child Care Facilities Revolving Fund (CCFRF)
$210,000 to $420,000 for a new, basic building typically consisting of three 12 by 40 foot sections
Provides up to $140,000 for each additional 12 by 40 foot section beyond the typical building (an increased from the previous $70,000 allowance)
The CCFRF may be used for the purchase, transportation, and installation of relocatable buildings
Applications and Information
CRRL: RFA Posted soon

8. Legislation AB 540 Authors: Mullen SSPI Sponsored
In October 2016 non-regulatory guidance, “Early Learning in the Every Student Succeeds Act: Expanding Opportunities to Support our Youngest Learners” was released by the United States Department of Education.
This guidance reminds state and local decision-makers about the importance of investing in early learning, it highlights the opportunities available under the law to strengthen early education, and provides examples of how states and local communities may support young children’s success in school. Although only a few programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) require that funds be used to support early learning, others allow early learning as one of many uses of the funds.

9. Legislation Cont. AB 60 Authors: Santiago/Gonzalez
Mirrors language from last year’s AB 2150
SSPI support
Increases the initial income eligibility limit, as well as increasing the exit/recertification income eligibility limit
Establishes and would require 12 months of continuous child developmental services for low income families

10. Title 5 Regulations Update Chapters 19 and 19.5 of Title 5
Following the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) Rule Making Process
Includes public comment period
5 CCR address:

11. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The CDE and the State Board of Education are eager to hear from Californians about what they would like to see in the State Plan. This is an opportunity to make your voice heard in support of the state’s most vulnerable students. February 6 Orange COE February 7 Moreno Valley Conference Center February 8 Webinar February 9 Sacramento COE February 10 Fresno COE February 11 Webinar

12. Other One-time Projects
Adding to the ECE Competencies
Coaching and Adult Learning (Advisory 1/22)
Developing LPC Coordinators On-line Modules
Updating:
I/T Program Guidelines
Inclusion Works! with a DVD
Alignment of Foundations w HS & CDE
Creating:
Best Practices doc re: serving homeless children
Curriculum Review Protocol

13. CA-QRIS Certification Grants
$2 M in new grants to the 10 CA-QRIS Regional Hubs
Purpose: Financial support for observer, rater, assessor, trainer certification on CA-QRIS tools and professional development systems:
ERS, CLASS, ASQ & ASQ-SE, PAS and BAS
CPIN, CSEFEL, Desired Results, PITC, Strengthening Families, and Practice-based Coaching
Grant period: 7/1/16 to 9/30/17

14. CMIG QRIS Block Grants
Amended CSPP QRIS BG for QRIS counties with CMIG sites
20 consortia in 21 counties
San Diego declined
Amount: $800,000
Same parameters as the CSPP QRIS BG:
Local QRIS BGs to those rated 4 & 5
Quality Improvement to get to tier 4
Assess CMIG sites
Period: 7/1/16 to 9/30/17

15. EESD Resource Update
Best Practices: Integrated Nature of Learning is posted at:
CECO is functional in Spanish
DRDP:
PS Fundamental & Comprehensive views
Reliability certification: shortly
DRDPtech work for :
Detailed Child Reports
Scale scores export

16. Transforming the Workforce Birth to Age 8 (TWB8)
Last year the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council (NRC) published Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation.
Report served as a catalyst for launching a collaborative planning process to create a plan to ensure that professionals working with young children in California are well prepared to most effectively support every child’s growth and development

17. Questions?