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Advisory CouncilApril 1, 2011

Child Care Development Fund – State Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013

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CCDF State Plan Requirement

Estimated CCDF Funding

CCDF Goals and Purposes

CCDF Goals CCDF Purposes

CCDF Eligibility Requirements and Flexible Administration

CCDF Contents

CCDF Updates

Key Policy Directions/Themes FY2007-2012

CCDF Plan: Next Steps and Submission Timeline

Discussion Overview

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CCDF State Plan Requirement

In order to receive CCDF funds, Federal law requires all States to submit a State Plan every two years

See 45 CFR Part 98.13(c); 98.17(a)

The Lead Agency must submit a new State Plan prior to the expiration of the current Plan in order to continue receiving CCDF Funds

See 45 CFR Part 98.17(b)

Estimated CCDF Funding

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 funded with federal funds. For example:

At least 4% must be spent on activities to improve the quality of child care

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

Congressional earmarks require states to spend sum certain amounts on quality, in addition to the 4% requirement, on:• Infant-Toddler activities• General child care quality initiatives

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CCDF Goals

Federal law identified the following 5 goals in creating the CCDF block grant:

Allow each State maximum flexibility;

Promote parental choice;

Encourage States to provide consumer education to help parents make informed choices about child care;

Assist States to provide child care to parents trying to achieve independence from public assistance; and

Assist States in implementing the health, safety, licensing and registration established in regulations.

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CCDF Purposes

Federal lawmakers established that the 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

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CCDF Eligibility Requirements and Flexible Plan Administration

Although Federal guidance grants great flexibility to States in the design and implementation of their CCDF State Plan, the regulations do contain certain minimum requirements

For example, in order to be eligible for child care services funded by CCDF, a child must:

be under 13 years of age, or under the age of 19 if special needs;

must reside with a family whose income does not exceed 85% of the state’s median income; and

must either reside with a parent or parents who are working or attending a job training or educational program or be receiving protective services.

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CCDF Contents

Part 1: Administration

1.1. Contact Information1.2. Estimated Funding1.3. CCDF Program Integrity and Accountability1.4. Consultation in the Development of the CCDF Plan1.5. Coordination Activities to Support the Implementation of CCDF Services1.6. Child Care Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan  

Part 2: CCDF Subsidy Program Administration

2.1. Administration of the Program2.2. Family Outreach and Application Process2.3. Eligibility Criteria for Child Care2.4. Sliding Fee Scale and Family Contribution2.5. Prioritizing Services for Eligible Children and Families2.6. Parental Choice in Relation to Certificates, Grants or Contracts2.7. Payment Rates for Child Care Services 

Part 3: Health and Safety and Quality Improvement Activities

3.1. Activities to Ensure the Health and Safety of Children in Child Care (Component #1)3.2. Establishing Voluntary Early Learning Guidelines (Component #2)3.3. Creating Pathways to Excellence for Child Care Programs through Program Quality

Improvement Activities (Component #3)3.4. Pathways to Excellence for the Workforce – Professional Development Systems and Workforce

Initiatives (Component #4)

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What’s New in the CCDF Plan

Consolidated Format – from 6 to 3 Parts

Effort to Improve National CCDF Reporting Responses seek more “check boxes” and less narrative

Focus on Child Care Quality and CCDF Program Integrity

Data and Performance Measure Reporting with Annual Updates on Goals

E-Submission Process

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Example of New Data and Performance Measures

Part 3 of the Plan has been reorganized to emphasize self-assessment and intentional outcomes for States

For each of the 4 Component Areas – Licensing, Early Learning Guidelines, Quality Rating and Improvement, and Professional Development, States must:

Perform a Self-Assessment (what are we doing now) Identify data capabilities, performance measures, plans

for on-going evaluation and goals for next biennium Report on Progress towards achieving goals annually

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CCDF Plan: Next Steps and Submission Timeline

April/ May Board Meetings – Initial Board Discussions Submit plan to Planning & Evaluation Committee (PEC) Receive comments/ edits from PEC Post Document to Board Website for full review

May 10th Board Meeting - Board votes to put plan out for public comment

End of May – Public Hearing(s) are to be held

First Week of June– Summarize and review public comments and revise plan, if needed; post final draft to Board website in preparation of the June Board meeting

June 14th Board Meeting –Board votes to approve plan and authorize submission to ACF

July 1st – CCDF State Plan due to ACF