OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EARLY LEARNING CHALLENGE GRANT

May 15, 2013

FIRST, THE EARLY LEARNING CHALLENGE BASICS

2

• Colorado received $29.9M for a four year grant (starting January 2013 from the US Department of Education.

• The Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood is responsible for administration of the grant.

• We have until March 29th to formally submit final project plans to the US Department of Education

• The grant is designed specifically to achieve the following:o Increase the number and percentage of low-income and disadvantaged

children in each age group of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are enrolled in high-quality early learning programs

o Design and implement an integrated system of high-quality early learning programs and services

o Ensure that any use of assessments conforms with the recommendations of the National Research Council's reports on early childhood.

o Ensure investments in early childhood education equate to better school readiness.

3

Revisiting the Grant: Targets and Benefits

Ambitious Targets Real BenefitsDeliver higher quality programs to high need families

• High need families have better access to higher quality programs with a specific focus on high need families.

Strong statewide governance model with a local focus

• Intentional focus on high need kids• Data driven • Consolidated program oversight• Strong accountability with localized domain

All licensed early learning program providers engaged in Tiered Quality Rating System.

• More access to higher quality programs for high needs kids• Improved program quality and better school readiness

Implementation of early child development standards

• Improves program and provider quality• Engages Families in development/school readiness• Establishes a consistent foundation

Provide incentives for local councils and providers to improve program quality.

• Improved quality for high need places• Flexibility to meet local needs• Ability to implement strategic components

Deploy kindergarten readiness assessments statewide

• Assess K-Readiness • Support continuous improvement through deployment

Develop highly qualified early childhood workforce

• More effective, higher quality programs• Credit workforce for prior competencies• Provide career ladders through the registry

3

UNDERSTANDING THE PROJECTS

Overall Grant Management: Coordinated emphasis on Increasing Access to High Quality Programs for Children

with High Needs($6.2M)

QRIS: Improving Program Quality With Focus on Continuous Improvement

($12.5M)

Highly Qualified Workforce ($5.1M)

Results Matter for children 0-4 years

($2.5M)

Early Learning and Development

Guidelines ($500k)

Statewide Kindergarten Readiness

($2.9M)

4

TQRIS PROJECT PLAN SUMMARY

May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 Aug 2013 Sept 2013April

Plan Rating Points

and Standards Review

Understand the Organization

Component Review and Finalization: Rating Points and

Standards, Accounting & Monitoring , Provider Supports & Incentives / Consumer Outreach

Review

Define the Future

Organization

Understand the Technology

Finalize the Implementation

Plan

Understand Contractor

Roles

Produce the Visual Strategy

Publish RFPs

The process for producing the implementation plan: OIR will draft recommendations, shares with the Core team,

and then provides final to the Executive Group for approval once all components are vetted and reviewed

ELC ROADMAP FOR TQRIS

6

Design

• Complete TQRIS Business Future State Design (Processes, Organizational Structure, Technology Requirements, Cost) Fund this from OCM Funds from Governance NOW

• Design Provider Engagement and Financial Incentives

• TQRIS Vendor Selected and TQRIS Next Gen Implementation Started

• Integration Vendor Selected

• Upgrade CDHS Organizational Capacity – Includes IRR and Other Training for Licensing Staff

2013 2014 2015 -16

• Complete Next Generation TQRIS – (Integration to Licensing and 5 Tiers)

• Launch TQRIS (ECDS) Portal

• Complete Technical Integration and Modifications to Licensing System

• Actively Support Phase 1 Deployment of High Needs Targets

• Design and Launch Evaluation Processes

• Deploy Training and Technical Support for TQRIS (Families and Providers)

• Launch Financial Incentive Program for Providers

• Expand Next Generation TQRIS – (Integration to Licensing and 5 Tiers) Statewide

• Complete Technical Integration with K-Readiness, Workforce LMS and other Systems

• Design and Implement Advanced Reporting

• Continue Evaluation Processes and Start Continuous Improvement Services

• Continue Training and Technical Support for TQRIS (Families and Providers)

• Continue to Support Financial Incentive Program for Providers