Office of Child Development and Early Learning

Edward G. Rendell, Governor | Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education | Estelle G. Richman, Secretary of Public Welfare

www.pde.state.pa.us | www.dpw.state.pa.us

Office of Child Development & Early Learning

Office of Child Developmentand Early Learning

Because every child is Pennsylvania’s future




Where We Stand

“Out of the 30 countries taking part in the 2003 Program for International Student Assessment, the average score of US students was only higher than students in five other countries.”

Source: Education Week, “Losing Global Ground,” January 2007

“China produced nearly 3 times more engineering and computer science graduates than the U.S. in 2004.”

Source: Duke University

“There were 540,382 public school students who dropped out of grades 9–12 in school year 2004–05 in the 50 states.”

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences




Mathematics Literacy Scores

Mathematics Literacy scores of 15-year-olds, by country: 2003

420

440

460

480

500

520

540

560

Australia Canada France Italy Japan Norway UnitedKingdom

UnitedStates

HongKong-China

Country

valu

e




Science Literacy Scores

Science Literacy scores of 15-year-olds, by country: 2003

440

460

480

500

520

540

560


UnitedStates

Hong Kong-China

Country

Sco

re




Problem Solving Scores

Problem Solving scores of 15-year-olds, by country: 2003

420

440

460

480

500

520

540

560


UnitedStates

HongKong-China

Country

Sco

re




Things must change

“The growth in the quality of the workforce, which was a mainstay of economic growth until recently, has diminished. This trend must change or America’s economy will be undermined,”

James Heckman, University of Chicago, press release, 11/15/06




Early Childhood Education = Future Economic Success

“The skills employers look for in quality employees, such as being team-oriented, literate and numerate, are capacities that are essentially shaped by age five.

A child’s early years provide a small window of opportunity for development. Once that window closes, it is much more difficult for children who are behind in their development to catch up.”

Robert Dugger, Tudor Investment Corporation Managing Director and co-founder of the Partnership for America’s Economic Success




Six out of 10 Pennsylvania 11th graders fail state science test

“We are sending the large majority of our students to college or into the workforce without the tools to compete in our science-rich world. This is further evidence that local high school graduation requirements and local assessments, which are currently under the control of school boards, are not ensuring that our graduates are ready for college or careers.”

State Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak in a press release about the test results.




Why quality early learning matters: A snapshot of PA

In 2008:– Nearly 20% of 3rd graders not proficient in math (More

than 44% of 11th graders not proficient).– More than 23% of 3rd graders not proficient in reading

(Over 35% of 11th graders not proficient).– Children in nearly 70% of Pennsylvania’s counties are at

moderate-high to high risk of school failure. – Approximately 20% of high school students fail to

graduate.




Investment in Pre-K Reduces Special Education Needs

Over 270,000 children in K-12 require special education services in 2005-2006.

Pennsylvania investment in quality pre-k programs could save Pennsylvania $100 million in special education costs.

The cost-savings study, initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, concluded that if pre-kindergarten was made available to all children, approximately 76,000 - or 50 percent - would participate, ultimately reducing the number of students requiring special education services by 2,380 and saving Pennsylvania taxpayers $102 million.

"For every $1 invested [in pre-k], 16-31 cents will be saved elsewhere in the school system."

“The Cost Savings to Special Education from Pre-Schooling in Pennsylvania," October 2005, the Pennsylvania Build Initiative http://www.pde.state.pa.us/early_childhood/lib/early_childhood/BELFIELD_PA_REPORT_FINAL.Oct05.pdf




Snapshot of PA’s investment in early education

Birth to Five• Pennsylvania falls around the

middle among U.S. states in investment in a quality early education system.

• About 38% of Pennsylvania’s children birth to age five are participating in publicly-funded early education.




Snapshot of PA’s investment in early education

Three to Five

• More children*, in high quality programs overall: – 2002-2003: 18% – 2005-2006: 25% – 2006-2007: 28% – 2007-2008: 35%

*based on the percentage of 3 and 4 year olds with access to Head Start, STAR 3 & 4 programs, Preschool Early Intervention and state-funded pre-k.




Benefits of quality early learning

Quality early learning:• Promotes positive brain development;• Promotes school readiness; • Strengthens families;• Supports today’s workforce;• Prepares today’s children for tomorrow’s competitive

workforce;• Saves tax dollars; and• Contributes to long-term economic growth.




Quality early learning promotes positive brain development

"The brain undergoes its most rapid development in the first three years of life, and in this development the environment plays a central role. Nerve connections that are associated with specific skills such as language are developed during this critical period."

American Academy of Pediatrics




Neglect hurts brain development

“The systems in the human brain that allow us to form and maintain emotional relationships develop during infancy and the first years of life… with severe emotional neglect in early childhood the impact can be devastating.”

Perry, B.D. (2002) Bonding and attachment in maltreated children: consequences of emotional neglect in childhood. Child Trauma Academy Press, 3, 1-30.




The impact of neglect on brain development




How many words does a child hear?The average 4-year old hears how many spoken words?

How many words does a child hear?

0 10 20 30 40 50

Parents with advanced professionaldegrees

Parents with blue/white collar jobs

Parents receiving public assistance

Number of Words (million)




Quality Early Learning promotes school readiness

• Pre-K Counts Public-Private Partnership – Child Outcomes, Interim Report 2005-2007– Pre-K Counts children, particularly those at risk

of school failure, showed significant progress in acquiring early learning skills during their participation, particularly those who were at risk of school failure.

– The total number of children with at-risk or delayed development were reduced by 50% after participation in Pre-K Counts.

www.prekcounts.org




Impacting a child’s developmental growth through Public-Private Partnership

A Child's Developmental Growth PER MONTH while in a Pre-K Counts Public-Private Partnership program

1.5

2.5

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

A child who does not exhibitat-risk or delayed

development

A child who exhibits at-riskor delayed development

Developmental Gain in Months per Month




Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts – First year results (June 2008)

• Nearly 70 percent of children showed age-appropriate skills and behavior after attending the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts program– A 62 percent increase in the number of children showing age-

appropriate positive social/emotional skills (from 4,810 children upon entry to 7,782 at end of program year).

– A 58 percent increase in the number of children showing age-appropriate acquisition of knowledge and skills, including early language and literacy (from 5,039 children upon entry to 7,979 at end of program year).

– A 51 percent increase in the number of children showing age-appropriate use of behaviors to meet needs (from 5,299 children upon entry to 7,979 at end of program year).

June 2008




Perry Preschool Project




Quality early learning strengthens families

“I’ve noticed that the parents of children from pre-kindergarten programs are more supportive of their children’s education. I have noticed that those parents have followed through on all work sent home this year and often went past what I asked for because they had ideas of what to do and knew that working with their child helped their child.”

Susan Straley, kindergarten teacher, Bellefonte Elementary School




Quality early learning strengthens families

“Parents have been so impressed with what their children are learning that they are eager to join in the classroom at every opportunity. They arrive early for dismissal and readily volunteer to assist in the classroom.”

Staff, Morrisville Borough School District, Bucks County




Strengthens families, cont’d

“High quality in-home parent coaching services that begin when the mother is pregnant, such as Pennsylvania’s Nurse Family Partnership, can cut cases of child abuse and neglect nearly in half.”

“Protect Kids: Reduce Crime: Save Money: Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect in Pennsylvania,” Fight Crime Invest in Kids, December 2006




EDUCATION AND HEALTH: Percentage of the population age 25 and above who reported being in excellent or

very good health, by educational attainment and family income: 2001




Quality early education supports Pennsylvania’s workforce – today and tomorrow

Tomorrow: Skills needed by

Employers•Higher education (Technical school/College degree)•Ability to work with others•Work hard and act responsibly to influence the future.•Take initiative and make choices•Communication Skills•Mathematical and Written Abilities

Today: Skills learned in Pre-

K •Strengthen commitment to and attitude toward school.•Social and emotional development•Understand that there are consequences to actions and be responsible for what happens.•Language Development•Math & ReadingChildren who have quality early education are more likely to have higher earnings.




The impact of accessible and reliable child care• Research has shown that families with access to

child care assistance are up to 15 percent more likely to be employed, stay off welfare, and have higher earnings.

• When families are not able to access child care assistance, they may go into debt, return to public assistance, choose lower quality, less stable child care, or face untenable choices in their household budgets.

• Child care costs are extraordinarily high for working, low-income families - comparable with their housing costs.

• Affordable and reliable child care can be the difference between self-sufficiency and improving a family’s quality of life or depending on public assistance and supports just to make ends meet.




Quality early learning saves tax dollars

“Every $1 spent on high quality early education saves $7 in reduced future expenditures for special education, delinquency, crime control, welfare, and lost taxes.”

Reynolds AJ, Temple JA, Robertson DL, and EA Mann. 2002. Age 21 cost-benefit analysis of the Title I Chicago Child-Parent Centers. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 24, 267-303




Quality early education contributes to long-term economic growth

“Children who attend quality pre-kindergarten are more likely to be employed and have higher earnings, thus positively contributing to the tax base. Annual rates of return on preschool investments are estimated at 10 percent or higher each year over the students’ lifetimes, exceeding the 6 to 7 percent average rate of return typically expected of government programs and the stock market.”

Committee for Economic Development, “The Economic Promise of Investing in High Quality Preschool,” 2006




Benefit Cost Analysis for Preschool Programs

Total benefit

Total cost

Net benefit

Distribution of benefits among…

Per child (discounted at 3%)

Benefit/ cost ratio Taxpayers Participants

Internal rate of return

Carolina Abecedarian (2002 dollars)

$135,546 $35,864 $99,682 3.78 14% 86% 7%

Chicago Child Parent Center (1998 dollars)

$47,759 $6,692 $41,067 7.14 54% 46% 10%

Perry Preschool Age 40 follow-up (2000 dollars)

$244,811 $15,166 $229,645 16.14 80% 20% 18%

Meta-analysis (2003 dollars)

$17,202 $7,301 $9,901 2.36 62% 38% n/a

The Economic Promise of Investing in High Quality Preschool,” Committee for Economic Development, 2006, pp 25-26




Importance of public investment in quality early education

• Quality early education provides public benefits:– Quality early education supports today’s workforce– Higher academic achievement;– Greater tax base;– Minimize risk factors like child abuse and neglect, juvenile

delinquency or criminal behavior.• Quality early education is workforce development

• Early childhood education can provide a lifetime return on investment greater than the stock market.

A quality early education system cannot develop without public investment




“The best investment in economic development that government and the private sector can make is in the healthy development of children.”

Art Rolnick, Ph.D, Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.




ANNUAL EARNINGS: Median annual earnings of full-time, full-year wage and salary workers ages 25–34,

by educational attainment: 1995–2006




“Although education and the acquisition of skills is a lifelong process, starting early in life is crucial. Recent research has documented the high returns that early childhood programs can pay in terms of subsequent educational attainment and in lower rates of social problems, such as teenage pregnancy and welfare dependency.”

Ben S. Bernanke, The Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, 2007




"On the margin, if we're going to invest the next dollar in education and workforce development, we're going to see the highest return if that dollar's invested before children reach kindergarten."

Rob Grunewald, associate economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, 2007




Office of Child Development and Early Learning

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) promotes opportunities for all Pennsylvania children and families by building systems and providing supports that help ensure access to high quality child and family services.




Creating an effective early education system




Standards for Programs and Practitioners

• Child Care Certification• Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards

– Infant/Toddler– Pre-Kindergarten– Kindergarten– 1st & 2nd Grade

• Environment Rating Scales• Early Intervention Standards• Head Start Performance Standards• Keystone STARS Standards• State Board of Education Regulations• ECE Career Lattice• PA Pre-K Counts Performance Standards• Child Care Information Services Program Performance

Standards




Support to meet and maintain standards

• PA Early Learning Keys to Quality

• Early Intervention Technical Assistance

• Head Start Collaboration Office

• Preschool Program Specialists




Systems Planning, Monitoring, and Accountability

OCDEL Accountability– OCDEL Finance, Administration & Planning– Uniform Provider Monitoring Tools

Provider and Practitioner Accountability– Certification– Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) assessors– Keystone STARS Designators– Preschool Program Specialists– PELICAN Data System– Early Learning Network




Financial Supports

• Federal• State• Public-Private Partnerships




Engagement & OutreachEarly Learning Investment CommissionEarly Learning Council

– Early Learning Council Committees– Program Committees

• Child Care Works• Full Day Kindergarten• Keystone STARS• PA Pre-K Counts• State ICC

– Cross Sector Committees• Birth to Three Committee• Early Childhood Mental Health• Early Learning Career Preparation and

Development• Early Learning Network• Infant Toddler Systems• Linkages and Alignment for Children’s

Education• Parent Council

OCDEL Community Education Supports:•Early Childhood Community Engagement Groups•Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children




What does an effective early education system contain?

• Quality program design and implementation

• Accountability• Documenting positive

outcomes for children• Meeting the diverse

needs of families• Maximizing resources• Leadership at all levels




Quality program design & implementation

• Teacher quality: ECE professional standards (Career Lattice, Director and School-Age credentials)

• Learning environment: Program quality standards (STARS, EI, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts)

• Curriculum and learning activities: Pennsylvania early education programs align with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards (infant – 2nd grade)

• Observation & Assessment of children’s progress: Certification requires child observation; Early Intervention and Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts reporting child progress




Accountability

OCDEL AccountabilityOCDEL Finance, Administration & PlanningBureau Monitoring Tools

Provider and Practitioner AccountabilityCertificationEnvironmental Rating Scales (ERS) assessorsKeystone STARS DesignatorsPreschool Program SpecialistsPELICAN Data SystemEarly Learning Network




Documenting positive outcomes for children

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts• Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is focused on providing 3 and 4 year

olds with a high quality pre-kindergarten educational experience, either for 2.5 hours or five hours a day. Approximately 11,800 children will be served in 2008-2009.

RESULTS: Ninety-four percent of Pre-K Counts children finished the school year with age-appropriate skills and behavior or emerging age-appropriate skills and behavior – a stunning success rate.





Keystone STARS• Keystone STARS serves children from birth – 12 and makes it possible for

child care programs to increase the quality of care and education they provide. Approximately 170,000 children will be served in 2008-2009.

RESULTS: A December 2006 study found that Keystone STARS is increasing the overall quality of child care centers, with a sharp increase in quality for participating programs.

RESULTS: In 2007-2008, nearly 20% of child care programs participating in STARS moved up at least one STAR level, increasing the quality early learning opportunities for children in their programs.





Child Care Works• Keeps working families working, while making it possible for child care

programs to serve children whose families could not otherwise afford care. • In 2008-2009, approximately 127,840 children will receive Child Care Works

subsidy (monthly average).

RESULTS: More families receiving TANF are choosing regulated care. Thirty percent more families receiving child care assistance are choosing child care regulated by Pennsylvania’s certification bureau than last year.

RESULTS: According to national studies, families with access to child care assistance are up to 15 percent more likely to be employed, stay off welfare, and have higher earnings.





Early Intervention• Early Intervention serves children from birth to age five with disabilities/

developmental delays and their families. • Approximately 32,700 infants and toddlers and 45,000 preschoolers will

receive Early Intervention Services in 2008-2009.

RESULTS: Based on assessments of more than 3,000 children who entered EI after July 1, 2007 and exited prior to June 30, 2008, nearly every child (99%), showed progress during the 2007-2008 year. More than half (57%) were at age-appropriate levels at the time they left Early Intervention.

RESULTS: After four years of no increase, OCDEL has observed a 9% increase over the last two years in the number of children included in typical early childhood programs, resulting in a total of 58% of all children in Early Intervention receiving their services in these settings (e.g. child care, Head Start, preschool).





Pennsylvania Nurse-Family Partnership• Helps low-income, first-time parents experience healthy pregnancies, learn

how to take good care of their babies, and make plans for the future. • Services are provided to families prenatally until the child reaches two years

of age. • Approximately 4,000 children and their families will be served in 2008-2009

RESULTS: Nurse-Family Partnership prevents nearly half of all cases of abuse or neglect of at-risk children. And, by the time the children in NFP had reached age 15, mothers in the program had 61 percent fewer arrests than mothers left out of the program, and their children had 59 percent fewer arrests than the kids left out.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Pennsylvania’s 2008 report, “Breaking the cycle of child abuse and reducing crime in Pennsylvania,”




Meeting the diverse needs of families

• Multiple OCDEL programs serving different needs

• OCDEL Reach and Risk report identifies need and program service by county




Maximizing resources

• Office of Child Development and Early Learning spans Departments of Education and Public Welfare– Sharing expertise– More efficient government, service to families

• OCDEL early childhood programs work together




Leadership at all levels

• Early Childhood Community Engagement Groups (CEG)

• Professional Credential Programs• Early Learning Investment Commission• STARS Leadership Institute• Governor’s Early Learning Council• Governor’s Early Learning Investment

Commission




Helping fulfill Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children




Helping children reach their promise

• Certifying health and safety of early learning programs;

• Setting the standard for quality early learning;

• Supporting the continuous quality improvement of early learning programs; and

• Providing children with special needs and their families supports to grow and develop.




Helping families reach their promise

• Helping working parents continue working;• Helping parents access and choose quality

early learning programs;• Partnering with parents to support their

child’s healthy development; and• Supporting early learning programs to

engage parents in their child’s learning.




Helping teachers reach their promise

• Providing a career lattice and credentials for early childhood professionals.

• Providing financial and other supports to send teachers to school for college degrees.




Helping communities reach their promise

• Building leadership at all levels – children’s champions.

• Building early learning systems – statewide and locally.




OCDEL ProgramsCertification Services:• Licensing and Inspection of child care • Information source on DPW regulations for child care

Subsidy Services:• Child Care Works• Child Care Information Services (CCIS) with Parent Counseling and Referral Services

Early Intervention Services:• Infant/Toddler Early Intervention• Preschool Early Intervention• Early Intervention Technical Assistance

Early Learning Services:• Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts• Keystone STARS• PA Early Learning Keys to Quality• Head Start State Supplemental• Family Support Programs • Governor’s Institutes




OCDEL’s work at a glanceProgress: 2003-2008 Moving ahead: 2008-2009

Assistance to meet standards and build capacity for excellence PA Early Learning Keys to Quality Building program capacity to serve all children

o Early Intervention Technical Assistance o Early Childhood Mental Health Project

Promoting continuous quality improvement o STARS specialists o Preschool Program Specialists

Encouraging ECE partnerships o Pre K Counts Public-Private Partnership for

Educational Success

Facilitate higher education articulation Provide guidance to higher education to

implement new Early Childhood Education certificate

Continue professional development opportunities for early childhood professionals

Community engagement & outreach OCDEL advisory committees Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children Early Childhood Community Engagement

Groups and Pre K Counts Public-Private Partnership sites

Pre K Counts Public-Private Partnership Executive Leadership Council

Build leadership at all levels Broaden and deepen community outreach

networks Continue to engage top business leaders COMPASS On-Line Application for Child Care

Works Online Parent Search for Child Care




OCDEL’s work at a glance

Progress: 2003-2008 Moving ahead: 2008-2009 Financing supports

New funding streams for ECE (PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start Supplemental, ABG, Full Day K Supplemental)

Increased funding for OCDEL programs Building public-private partnerships

Increase funding for OCDEL programs (PA Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS, Child Care Works, Early Intervention, Nurse Family Partnership)

Early Childhood Financing Strategies Work Group

Public-private partnerships




Certification Services




Why Certification Services?

• More than 300,000 children in Pennsylvania are served in certified or registered child care programs each year.– 4,108 registered family child care homes – 823 certified group child care homes– 4,226 certified child care centers

• It is important to protect the health and safety of our young children.

• Meeting health & safety requirements are a necessary foundation to build quality early learning opportunities.




Certification Services at a Glance

• Helping children and families reach their promise by certifying the health and safety of certified child care centers, group child care homes and registered family child care homes.

• Four regional offices provide certification services and conduct inspections.

• Information source for starting up child care programs and for families wanting information on certified child care programs.




Types of facilities regulated by OCDEL

• Child Care Center• Group Child Care

Home• Family Child Care

Home




Child Care Center

• A child care facility in which 7 or more children who are not related to the operator receive child care.

• Requires certificate of compliance to legally operate.

• Inspected on an annual basis.• 55 Pa. Code, Chapter 3270, Child Care

Centers, available at http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/055/chapter3270/chap3270toc.html




Group Child Care Home

• A child care facility in which 7 to 12 children of various ages or in which 7 to 15 children from 4th grade through 15 years of age who are not related to the operator receive child care.

• Requires certificate of compliance to legally operate.

• Inspected on an annual basis.• 55 Pa. Code, Chapter 3280, Group Child Care

Homes, available at http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/055/chapter3280/chap3280toc.html




Family Child Care Home

• A child care facility located in a home in which 4 to 6 children who are not related to the caregiver receive child care.

• Requires certificate of registration to legally operate.

• Inspected every 2 years and subject to random sample inspections.

• 55 Pa. Code, Chapter 3290, Family Child Care Homes, available at http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/055/chapter3290/chap3290toc.html




Regional Offices of Child Development and Early Learning

• Four regional field offices• Inspections of child care programs• Technical assistance to programs• Orientation to new programs• Information to potential programs• Information to parents and the public on Department of

Public Welfare’s certification regulations and the certification history of child care programs (i.e., complaints, provisional certification, etc.)

• Complaint investigations




Certified Child Care Facilities

To find out about certified child care facilities in your area:– View a listing of facilities online or Contact your local

Child Care Information Services (CCIS) agency. – To find a provider, visit:

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/ProviderSearch/PGM/PSWEL.aspx – For information on a child care program’s certification

history (complaints, etc.) contact your Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning.




Starting a child care facility• Contact your Regional Office of Child Development

and Early Learning.• Attend Orientation Session with regional office.• Receive info on regulations pertaining to child care

facilities.




Regional Offices of Child Development and Early Learning

Western region - 1-800-222-2149 Central region - 1-800-222-2117

Northeast region - 1-800-222-2108 Southeast region - 1-800-346-2929




Division of Regulatory Administration

The Division of Regulatory Administration (DRA), located in Harrisburg, is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, analyzing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating regulation, policy procedures and operations relating to the certification and registration of child care facilities.




Certification: Achievements 2007-2008

• The amendment of Pennsylvania’s regulations for child care facilities to:– Update health and safety requirements to reflect best

practices & research; – Make the regulations easier to read and more accessible to

providers and parents; – Update the regulations to include correct reference to other

applicable laws; and – Improve opportunity for facility compliance.

• Joint orientation video with Better Kid Care.• PELICAN Provider Certification database.• “Motion tablets” – electronic facility inspection.• Family Child Care Home video and orientation




Certification: What’s ahead 2008-2009

• During 2008-2009, PELICAN Provider Certification will assist in the assessment of the following areas that impact on the health and safety of children:

• Regulatory compliance - To target professional development opportunities for child care providers regarding regulatory requirements.

• Facility monitoring - To determine the timeliness of inspections and complaint investigations to ensure health and safety in child care facilities. Additionally, certification staff will have ready access to information needed to assess the overall safety of a facility.

• Public information - Information available to assist parents in making informed decisions regarding the selection of a child care facility.




SubsidyServices




Why Subsidy Services?• Eligible families obtain the financial assistance

to supplement the high cost of child care.• Parents receive parent counseling and

information on Early Childhood Education (ECE) options and finding high quality child care.

• Families gain the assistance needed to become self-sufficient and the knowledge of the full range of ECE choices for their child.




Subsidy Services at a Glance

• Child Care Works provides financial assistance to income eligible parents so they can afford quality child care.

• Child Care Information Services (CCIS) enroll families in Child Care Works and provide parent counseling services to all families wanting to learn about the full range of their early care and education opportunities for their child.




Child Care Works• Distributes subsidy reimbursements to child care

providers enrolling subsidy children.• Parents pay a co-payment to the child care

provider based on family size and income.• Child Care Works reimburses the provider for the

subsidy child up to the rate ceiling, minus the parent’s co-pay.

• Subsidy payment rates are based on Market Rate Surveys up to the Maximum Child Care Allowance (MCCA).

• As of July 2008, more than 132,000 children were provided subsidies on a monthly basis.




Who’s eligible to receive Child Care Works

The annual income for a family to be eligible to receive subsidy is 200 percent or less of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines:

Family Size

Maximum Yearly Family Income (May 2008)

2 $28,000

3 $35,200

4 $42,400

5 $49,600

6 $56,800

7 $64,000

8 $71,200




How to apply for Child Care Works

• Visit your county Child Care Information Services (CCIS) agency to apply.

• Find agencies online at www.dpw.state.pa.us.• Since January 2008, parents have been able

to apply online through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Access to Social Services (COMPASS).

• Apply at: https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/CMHOM.aspx




Child Care Works: Achievements in 07-08• More than 30% of families receiving child care

assistance through TANF are choosing regulated child care than in 2006-2007.

• 98% of respondents said they were happy with the service they received at their CCIS.

• 96% of respondents said they learned a lot about other OCDEL programs, including Keystone STARS, Head Start, and PA Pre-K Counts.

• Offered on-line application and redetermination for the subsidized child care program through COMPASS located on the DPW web-site.

• Offered on-line provider search accessed through the DPW web-site. This provides immediate search results for all families, not just those participating in the subsidy program.

• Continued to monitor CCIS performance and compliance in an effort to continue to address efficiencies and assure excellent service.

• Increased reimbursement for Keystone STARS facilities with two or more stars in an effort to encourage high quality providers to participate in the subsidy program.




Child Care Works: What’s ahead in 2008-2009

• Child Care programs participating in Keystone STARS at STAR 2 level or higher will receive a large increase on the “subsidy add-on” to the Child Care Works subsidy they receive for serving a Child Care Works child.

• The subsidy add-on is another incentive for continuous quality improvement through the Keystone STARS program and helps to more appropriately reimburse child care programs offering higher quality early learning opportunities through Keystone STARS.

• Continue to encourage low-income families to enroll in high quality Keystone STARS facilities.

• Expand efforts to provide enhanced parent counseling to increase the public’s knowledge of all OCDEL programs and provide a variety of early learning options for children.

• Take an active role in community advocacy and encourage parents receiving subsidy to become more active.




Child Care Information Services (CCIS)

• Acts as the hub of early care and education information for all families, assisting and counseling parents on quality child care and early learning options that best meet their needs.

• Determines eligibility and signs up income eligible families for Child Care Works.

• Enrolls program participating children with child care providers.

• Distributes subsidy payments to child care providers.




How to use your CCIS• Learn about quality child care, Keystone

STARS, PA Pre-K Counts, Early Intervention, Head Start, and more.

• Request listing of child care programs in your area, based on wide variety of criteria to meet a parent’s needs.

• Request information on other family services such as: Nurse-Family Partnership; Women, Infants and Children (WIC); Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and more.

• Apply for subsidy services.




CCIS: What’s Ahead in 2008-2009

•CCIS agencies will deepen their parent counseling and resource and referral information on all early learning programs for families.

•Implement new training curriculum and program for CCIS Staff

•Establish on-line guides within PELICAN.




Early InterventionServices




Why Early Intervention Services?

• Provides resources and supports to families so children with developmental delays can reach their promise.

• Assures that all eligible children from birth to five with developmental delays receive services and supports that maximize their development so they are successful in any early education setting.




Early Intervention Services at a Glance

• Builds upon the natural learning occurring in the first few years.

• Promotes collaboration between parents, service providers, and others who impact children’s lives.

• Serve children ages birth to three years: – 31,963 children served in Infant/Toddler Early

Intervention (ages birth – 3) in 07-08.– 41,637 children served in Preschool Early Intervention

(ages three to five) in 07-08.**This figure does not include 1,908 k-eligible children.




Early Intervention Services

• Meet the developmental needs of children with a developmental delay and the needs of the family related to enhancing the child’s development in one or more of the following areas:– Physical development, including vision and hearing– Cognitive development– Communication development– Social or emotional development– Adaptive development

• Promotes collaboration among parents, service providers and other important people in the child’s life.




Early Intervention Services, cont’d

• Enhances family/caregiver relationships with children, building on their strengths, and strives to maximize the experiences, opportunities, and resources within the routines and activities unique to each family and community.

• Services are based on the child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individual Education Plan (IEP), developed by a team of professionals including the family, and are delivered at no cost to families.




Early Intervention: Achievements in 07-08• Development of Individualized Family

Service Plan/Individualized Education Program (IFSP/IEP) and Evaluation Report (ER) - A unified plan and evaluation process for both Infant/Toddler and Preschool Early Intervention Programs .

• PELICAN (pilot) – A web based information system that captures child specific data electronically, automates workflows for various office processes, and allows children’s demographic information to be available to multiple users simultaneously and on a statewide level.

• Single Verification Tool for both programs - Early Intervention Management Verification tool - A coordinated monitoring process that builds consistency between Infant/Toddler and Preschool Early Intervention Programs




Who is eligible for Early Intervention Services?

• A child from birth to age five who has:– a significant delay in one or more areas of

development; – known physical or mental conditions which have a

high probability for developmental delays.

• Children from birth to age three may also be eligible if they have a specialist's determination that there is a delay even though it doesn't show up on the assessments. (Informed clinical opinion can be used in birth to age three.)




How to receive Early Intervention Services

• Parents: contact CONNECT Helpline, 1-800-692-7288.

• Early learning programs that feel a child may need Early Learning Services: Discuss with parents and have parents contact the CONNECT Helpline to access services.

• Visit www.dpw.state.pa.us or http://www.pde.state.pa.us for parent guides and other resources on Early Intervention.




Early Intervention: What’s Ahead for 08-09

Transition to School Age• A work group was initiated to assist in promoting a smooth transition for

eligible young children entering school age programs by developing a regulation compliant process that strengthens positive working relationships with preschool Early Intervention and school age personnel.

• The group has reviewed regulations, forms, documents and practices guiding current transition to school age programming activities statewide. The group also focused their attention on identifying barriers and identifying potential solutions.

PELICAN (Statewide)• PELICAN, the web based information system for Early Intervention, will be

used statewide by July 2009. In September 2008 three counties piloted the 6.0 release: York/Adams, Lehigh and Westmoreland.




Early Intervention: What’s Ahead, cont’d

Inclusion• A goal for Preschool Early Intervention is to increase the percent of

children who receive their Early Intervention services in an inclusive setting. Currently 61% of all children in Early Intervention are receiving their services in these settings (e.g. child care, Head Start, preschool).What helped:– New PA Pre K Counts initiative– Targeted technical assistance– Aggressive data monitoring and limiting class size

• Continued work is needed to assure that even more parents have the options of early childhood education programs for their children receiving Early Intervention services.




Early Learning Services




Why Early Learning Services?

• Helps children reach their promise by promoting quality learning opportunities in the home and in early learning programs.

• Helps families reach their promise by partnering with parents to promote the healthy development of their child.

• Quality early learning helps prepare children for success in school and in life.




Early Learning Services at a Glance

• Develop and implement standards for early learning programs and professionals to improve the quality of early learning for young children.

• Provide financial supports and technical assistance for programs and professionals to improve quality.

• Provide family support programs that strengthen families, reduce risk and increase early learning opportunities for children.

• Provide quality professional development for early learning professionals.




Early Learning Services Programs• Accountability Block Grants

– Pre-kindergarten– Full-day kindergarten– Reduced class size K-3

• Family Support Programs– Nurse Family Partnership– Children’s Trust Fund– Parent-Child Home Program

• Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program

• Keystone STARS• PA Early Learning Keys to Quality • PA Early Learning Standards• Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts• Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children




PA Early Learning Standards

• Helps teachers and parents work together to promote a child’s development.

• Provides a continuum of quality learning from birth through school age.

• Early learning standards available for:– Infant/Toddler– Pre-kindergarten– Kindergarten– 1st and 2nd grade




PA Early Learning Standards Resources

• Early Learning Standards booklets with pull out posters for classroom

• Guidance to aligning curriculum and assessment with early learning standards

• Professional development on using the Early Learning Standards

• “Kindergarten Here I Come!” calendars for parents

• Coming in 2009: “Learning is Everywhere” (birth to 5) and “Kindergarten Here I Am!” calendars




Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts

• High quality pre-kindergarten education for 3 and 4 year olds in Pennsylvania which is free to families, with a focus on children at risk of academic failure.

• Full or half-day pre-kindergarten classes in schools, Head Start, Keystone STARS child care programs with a STAR 2 level or higher, or licensed nursery schools.*

*In 2009-10, Child Care Programs must have a STAR 3 Level or higher to participate in PA Pre-K Counts




Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, cont’d

• 151 grantees (lead agencies) with more than 300 early Lead Agencies & Partners participating.

• Classrooms available in 62 Pennsylvania counties.• $86.4 million public investment for the 2008-2009 school

year.• Focus in enrollment and translating quality design into

quality implementation.• First-year results show positive outcomes for children as

a result of quality design & implementation.




PA Pre-K CountsMaking Strides with Children




PA PKC: Quality standards

• Teachers with education in early childhood.• Small class size (no more than 20 children per

teacher & teacher’s aide).• Curriculum aligns with PA Early Learning

Standards.• Child assessment and outcomes reporting

through Work Sampling.• Program assessment (Environmental Rating

Scales).




PA PKC: Standards, cont’dNIEER Quality Standard NIEER Benchmark Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Standards

Early Learning Standards

Comprehensive Comprehensive

Teacher degree Bachelor’s degree Bachelor’s degree + ECE Certification*

Teacher specialized training

Specializing in pre-k ECE certification*

Assistant teacher degree Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or equivalent

CDA or equivalent#

Teacher in-service At least 15 hours a year Meet requirements of Act 48 (180 hours over five years)

Maximum class size 20 or less 20 or less

Staff-child ratio 1 staff per 10 children (1:10) 1 teacher and 1 aide per 20 children (1:10)

Required screening/referral and support services

Vision, hearing, health; and at least 1 support service

Programs required to develop collaborations with early intervention service providers to be able to provide support services/referrals; develop parent engagement strategies to support parents’ involvement in child’s early learning; and support the smooth transition of children into the preschool program and on to kindergarten

Meals At least 1 a day For full day - one meal and one snack; for half day - one snack

Required monitoring Site visits Site visits by preschool program specialists; ECERS-R ratings in select classrooms; child outcomes reporting online; monthly and quarterly program and fiscal online reporting




How to enroll in PA Pre-K Counts

• Families with children between ages three until kindergarten who are at risk of school failure due to income (300% FPL), language or special needs issues are eligible.

• Enrollment begins in Spring before the school year.

• Contact programs directly for enrollment information.

• Listing of PA Pre-K Counts grantees available on PDE website, www.pde.state.pa.us.




Keystone STARS• Promotes continuous quality

improvement in early learning and school age environments.

• Proven to improve the quality of child care programs in PA.

• Provide parents with a tool to gauge the quality of care and early education their child will receive.

• Over 5,022 child care programs participating in Keystone STARS (As of 06/30/08).

• Over 170,00 children enrolled in STARS programs.




STARS: How it works• Builds on the health & safety requirements of

certification.• Learning Programs enroll at Start with STARS

or STAR levels 1-4.• Must meet research-based performance

standards for:– Staff qualifications and professional development;– Learning Program (child observation, curriculum,

classroom environment);– Partnerships with family and community; and– Leadership and management (business practices).




How STARS works, cont’d

• Based on program participation in Child Care Works and the Commonwealth of PA Early Intervention Program, may be eligible for support grants, merit awards and education & retention awards.

• Monitoring, accountability, and supports conducted through the PA Early Learning Keys to Quality System.




An Increase in Provider Participation

STAR LevelJune 2007

July Aug Sept Oct Nov DecJan

2008Feb Mar Apr May June

Start w STARS* 970 999 921 908 897 883 883 874 1,082 1,156 1,597 1,492 1,385

STAR 1 1,537 1,543 1,517 1,550 1,595 1,600 1,653 1,665 1,745 1,904 2,004 2,095 2,156

STAR 2 662 663 654 658 654 637 637 639 646 675 727 763 809

STAR 3 175 174 179 177 181 182 182 184 190 204 223 231 243

STAR 4 66 66 66 70 72 74 75 83 89 97 115 124 127

STAR 4 (acc)** 356 356 349 351 341 328 328 321 322 313 284 287 291

Total 3,766 3,801 3,686 3,714 3,740 3,704 3,758 3,766 4,074 4,349 4,950 4,992 5,011




STARS: How to enroll

• Certified or registered child care providers and Head Start programs may apply for Keystone STARS.

• Standards and application forms available on PA Key website: www.pakeys.org/stars/--Submit application to your Regional Key.

• Regional Key info available at www.pakeys.org.




How can parents locate STARS programs

• County Child Care Information Services (CCIS) agencies can provide a listing of programs and STAR level.– Find your local CCIS online at

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/ProviderSearch/pgm/PSWEL.aspx

– Find a provider online at http://www.pakeys.org/stars/centers.aspx

• Search STARS programs by county or zip at www.papromiseforchildren.com




STARS: Achievements in 2007-2008

• Enhancements of STARS standards.

• Increased capacity to complete Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) assessments.

• Continue to enhance the Crosswalk of STARS standards for a school age setting.




STARS: New award amountsNew support, merit and ERA amounts (08/09)

SUPPORT AWARDS

Family Award

Group Award

Small Award (up to 45 children)

Medium Award (46-99 children)

Large Award (100-180 children)

Very Large Award

(181+ children)

Start with STARS –

1 X Award

315 420

435 580

945

1,260

1,890 2,520

2,835 3,780

4,725 6,300

STAR 1 – 2 X Award

450 600

630 840

1,418 1,890

2,835 3,780

4,253 5,670

7,088 9,450

Note: Top award is for programs enrolling 5% - 25% children in child care receiving Child Care Works subsidy and/or

the Commomwealth of PA’s Early Intervention ProgramBottom award is for programs enrolling 26% - 100% in child care receiving Child Care Works subsidy and/or

the Commomwealth of PA’s Early Intervention Program




STARS: New award amounts, cont’dMERIT AWARDS

Family Award Group Award Small Award

(up to 45 children) Medium Award (46-99 children)

Large Award (100-180 children)

Very Large Award (181+ children)

STAR 2 – 3X Award

*Change Below

788 1,050

1,575 2,100

4,725 6,300

9,450 12,600

14,175 18,900

23,625 31,500

STAR 3 – Ongoing

1,181 1,575

2,363 3,150

7,088 9,450

14,185 18,900

21,263 28,350

35,438 47,250

STAR 4 - Ongoing

1,575 2,100

3,150 4,200

9,450 12,600

18,900 25,200

28,350 37,800

47,250 63,000

* Award 2 additional years with CQI Plan and demonstrated progress

Note: Top award is for programs enrolling 5% - 25% children in child care receiving Child Care Works subsidy and/or


Bottom award is for programs enrolling 26% - 100% in child care receiving Child Care Works subsidy and/or





Education and Retention Awards 08/09

ERA 07/08

Director - BA in ECE

Staff - BA in ECE

Staff - AA in ECE

CDA/SA Credential

STAR 2 $3,090 $2,320 $1,545 $600

STAR 3 $3,605 $2,705 $1,805 $700

STAR 4 $4,120 $3,090 $2,060 $800

Education and Retention awards 08/09 for highly qualified staff (prorated less than 35 hours per week)




Keystone STARS subsidy add-on

Programs with STAR 2 and above receive a per-child add on to Child Care Works subsidy rate.

Daily increase for

STAR 2 STAR 3 STAR 4

Full-time $0.50 $1.50 $2.00

Part-time $0.25 $0.50 $1.00




STARS: What’s Ahead for 2008-2009

• Revision of the Group Childcare Standards.• STARS Provider Survey.• Building capacity:

– Leadership at all levels;– Addressing diversity; and– Supporting continuous quality improvement.




PA Early Learning Keys to Quality

• A system of supports for Keystone STARS, including:– professional development opportunities for

early childhood and school-age;– independent Environmental Rating Scale (ERS)

assessments for early learning and school-age programs; and

– community engagement and outreach.

• Consists of Statewide PA Key and six Regional Keys.




PA Keys System: Regional Keys

• Six Regional Keys across Pennsylvania.• Implement regional quality improvement plan

for professional development.• Encourage participation and provide technical

assistance for Keystone STARS.• Conduct STARS Designation visits. • Provide regional professional development

opportunities.• Access contact info at www.pakeys.org .




Regional Keys Map




PA Keys to Quality Programs• Professional development initiatives• Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation• Mind in the Making• Early Childhood Community Engagement Groups• Pre-K Counts Public Private Partnership• Head Start State Collaboration Office• School Age Child Care Projects• Better Kid Care• Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS)




PA Keys: Professional Development Initiatives 2007-2008

• Early Childhood Education Career Lattice• Professional Development Advisory Committee• More than 1,500 T.E.A.C.H. scholarships in 07/08• More than 1,100 professionals earned or renewed

their Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials in 07/08

• Pennsylvania Director and School-Age Professional Credential programs

• PQAS System for quality professional development– More than 1,300 instructors across PA

• Professional Development Voucher Program




PA Director Credential• For early childhood education directors and

administrators.• Provides a standard for management and

leadership skills of directors and administrators in early childhood and school-age programs.

• Requirement for Keystone STAR 3 rating.• Applicants take specific courses or complete

portfolio of education and experience.• 150 professionals earned their Directors

Credential in 2007-2008.• Information and forms available at

www.pakeys.org.




PA School-Age Professional Credential

• Piloted through six regional School Age Projects.

• Credential aligns with Early Childhood Education Career Lattice and Keystone STARS.

• In 07/08:– 4,119 School Age Practitioners participated in

305 professional development events.– More than 77% of those participating in

professional development and technical assistance activities working in a Keystone STARS program.




PA School-Age Professional Credential

• Awardees complete 120 hours of coursework; create a personal portfolio highlighting their professional achievements are evaluated by families and other professionals.

• During the credential process candidates are also observed working with children several times by members of a local assessment team.




Eligibility for PA School-Age Professional Credential

Individuals interested in obtaining the credential must:– Be working in a Department of Public Welfare-certified

facility working with school-age children (5-12 years-old);

– Have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED;– Have completed a Professional Development Record

(PDR); and – Have worked at least 480 hours with school-age children

in the past 5 years

To apply, contact your Regional Key




PA Keys: What’s New for Professional Development in 2008-2009

• The Ages and Stages screening tool introduced and implemented in STAR 2 and above programs.

• Work Sampling assessment tool introduced and practitioners participate in workshops to learn about tool.

• Three new modules are created for Keystone STAR sites to encourage and support continuous quality improvement.

• A 30 hour curriculum aligned with Level 2 on the Career Lattice is piloted in 4 locations for 80 practitioners.

• Additional supports are created for practitioners to implement the Early Learning Standards.

• PA adopts guiding principles for cross system technical assistance.




PA Keys: ECE and Higher Ed

• Work group completing guidance for higher education about new teaching certificate Pre-K through 4th grade.

• Focus on articulation and transfer.




PA Keys: Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

• Previously named Infant Toddler Mental Health Project.

• Assists teachers and parents to understand the importance of early childhood mental health, recognize and address mental health challenges as they relate to specific children and their needs.

• Pilot projects in Northwest, Southwest, and South Central regions, began in Spring 2006.

• Partly funded by the Heinz Endowments.




Evaluation of the Infant/Toddler Systems Building Initiative

• Helping practitioners promote healthy social emotional development and provide support to young children and their families.

• 226 children served through the 2 year pilot phase by the 7 member team.

• 133 Early learning programs participated.• On-site assistance was the most valued and helpful

aspect of the program• Average age of child at the beginning of consultation:

28 months of age.• Average length of case consultation: 2 months and 27

days.




PA Keys: Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) Services

Providers request an ECMH specialist to: – Observe a child in their early

learning classroom;– Identify strengths/needs and

develop an individual plan that addresses the child’s social emotional development; and

– Work with the family to explain the child’s needs and refer them to resources.

Contact your Regional Key to request services.




PA Keys: Mind in the Making

• Enhance the teaching practices of early childhood teachers to improve quality early education.

• Helping families reach their promise by communicating the science of early learning to the general public, families and early learning professionals.

• Created by Families and Work Institute.• Over 200 early childhood practitioners from 110

early learning sites participated in the program.




“Teachers who participated in MITM Modules increased their overall classroom quality through better communication with the children that enriches language, better learning opportunities for the children through the use of play and materials, and more activities to increase the social development of children in the classroom.”

Pittsburgh Office of Child Development, “Evaluation Report: Mind in the Making Learning Modules for

Early Childhood Teachers in Pennsylvania, 2006




Mind in the Making

12-part facilitated research-based learning process designed to help teachers:– Become engaged in understanding their own and their

children’s learning process;– Become more mindful of their own teaching practice;

and– Have a working knowledge of the significant research in

child development and be able to translate this knowledge into their teaching practice.

Contact your Regional Key for training opportunities




PA Keys: Early Childhood Community Engagement Groups (CEG)

• Providing framework and support to build leadership at all levels.

• In 07-08, 57 Community Engagement Groups across Pennsylvania:– Reached more than 537,670 people in

public events;– 613,759 Community Report Cards were

distributed; and– Volunteers contributed over 13,192 hours to

community engagement work.




CEG Deliverables• Convene all ECE stakeholders to discuss ways to

improve quality and increase access to early education opportunities;

• Promote kindergarten transition activities between child, family, and schools;

• Conduct community outreach activities to build support for early childhood initiatives;

• Create an early childhood education community report card; and

• Promote Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children public awareness campaign.




How to find your CEG

Listing of Community Engagement Groups is available online at

www.pakeys.org




PA Keys: Pre K Counts Public-Private Partnership for Educational Success

• Started in 2004• Pilot project to facilitate

pre-kindergarten partnerships in local communities• 29 partnerships which include school districts, Head

Start, child care, Early Intervention• Funding provided by leading PA private foundations

and Commonwealth of PA• More than 11,000 children impacted in 2007-2008• Results informed the development of PA Pre-K Counts




PA Keys: School Age Child Care (SACC) Projects

• Provide professional development and technical assistance supporting both public and private after-school programs across the state.

• Children and youth who regularly attend high-quality afterschool programs have better grades and conduct in school; more academic and enrichment opportunities; better peer relations and emotional adjustment and lower incidences of drug-us, violence and pregnancy. (US Dept. of Education)

• Regional SACC Projects at each Regional Key.




PA Keys: Better Kid Care• Provides extensive, nationally-recognized distance

learning opportunities to early childhood professionals in rural communities and others interested in distance learning. Free to early learning professionals in Pennsylvania.

• Web-based and mail-based programs available • Professional development available to meet the

requirements of:– PA Department of Public Welfare certification– Keystone STARS– Child Development Associate (CDA) credential– Continuing Education Units (CEUs)– Act 48 hours

Register for classes and subscribe to the BKC newsletter at www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/index.html




PA Keys: Early Childhood Education Linkage System (ECELS)

• ECELS offers telephone advice to practitioners and advises health and safety instructors and private and public health professionals.

• Well Tracker system makes it easy for early childhood programs to track the health and immunization records of children enrolled.

• 24 self-learning modules available on a number of health & safety topics such as Active Play Environments, Child Abuse and Neglect, Illness in Child Care, and Food Allergies.

Additional health-related resourceswww.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org




Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children

• Campaign to raise awareness about the importance of providing every young child in Pennsylvania with access to quality early learning opportunities.

• Sponsored by PA Build Initiative, The Heinz Endowments, William Penn Foundation, The Grable Foundation, and PA Key.

• Coordinated locally by Early Childhood Community Engagement Groups.




PA Promise materials

• Website– www.papromiseforchildren.com

• Tri-fold brochures• Folders• Fact sheets• Posters • Magnet/photo frames • Window clings




PA Promise Declaration• I believe that quality early learning and child development

play a major role in a child’s future success in school and in life.

• I believe young children learn best when they have proper health and nutrition, a safe and stable family and home life, and activities that stimulate creativity, curiosity, and all the skills they will need to succeed in school and life.

• I believe that every child in Pennsylvania deserves access to quality early learning opportunities and that it is the responsibility of every Pennsylvanian to help our children reach their promise.

• I support Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children because every child is Pennsylvania’s future.

• Sign online at www.papromiseforchildren.com




PA Pact

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is supporting schools and districts in reaching the goal of 100% proficiency through the establishment of the Pennsylvania Pact (PA-Pact).

PA-Pact provides resources for schools and districts to invest in proven practices that will ensure that all students achieve greater academic success.




PA Pact• A Consolidated application for funding under the Accountability

Block Grant, Educational Assistance Program and the Accountability to Commonwealth Taxpayers programs.

• 12 options; three of which are related to early childhood education:– Quality pre-kindergarten– Full-day kindergarten– Reduced class size K – 3rd Grade

• Approximately 3/4 of ABG funds spent on Early Childhood Education options.




PA Pact: Pre-kindergarten• Three & four year old children are offered programs from

2.5 to 5 hours a day for a minimum of 180 days. • Instructional delivery is based on scientific research and

Early Childhood Education best practices.• Assessment tools are used to review the environment and

the teacher/child interaction.• Family-community partnerships and cultural diversity are

encouraged.• Highly qualified teachers who will have Early Childhood

certification by Dec. 2011.• In 07-08, approximately 4,200 children in 45 school districts

were enrolled in Pre-K programs through PA Pact funds.




PA Pact: Full-day kindergarten

• Studies show that students who attend full-day kindergarten perform significantly better in reading and math achievement at the end of kindergarten and continued to show better performance into first grade.

• In 07-08, 61% of all children in kindergarten, participated in full-day kindergarten programs.




PA Pact Full-Day K funding

• $15 million in 2008-2009 in addition to PA Pact funding.

• Allocation to all school districts who submitted a plan in 2007-2008 to offer or expand full-day kindergarten for the first time.

• Estimate nearly 5,700 more children gained access to full-day kindergarten.




What is Full-day K?• Full-day Kindergarten provides children

with at least a 5 hour school day for a minimum of 180 days or 900 hours per year.

• Children are transported to and from school, fed a hot lunch and participate in special subjects such as art, PE, and music. Because of the additional time children are spending in school, school districts have made their core subjects more rigorous.

• Contact your school district to register.




Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP)

• Head Start programs can serve additional children through HSSAP:– Comprehensive early learning services to children at 130% of

FPL or less; and– Strong parent involvement and serving the whole child.

• Encourages partnerships between Head Start and other early learning programs (child care, school districts);

• Offer half-day or full-day classrooms;• 59 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties served; and• Nearly 5,776 three to five year olds participated in 07-

08.




Family Support Programs

• Nurse-Family Partnership• Children’s Trust Fund• Parent-Child Home

Program




Nurse-Family Partnership

Helps children and families reach their promise by giving first time mothers the supports necessary to provide an excellent start for their children.

“High quality in-home parent coaching services that begin when the mother is pregnant, such as Pennsylvania’s Nurse-Family Partnership, can cut cases of child abuse and neglect nearly in half.”

“Protect Kids: Reduce Crime: Save Money: Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect in Pennsylvania,” Fight Crime Invest in Kids, December 2006




Nurse-Family Partnership

• Registered nurses work with the expectant mothers to ensure a healthy pregnancy, to engage in activities with the baby that will promote healthy development, and to make plans for the future.

• Nurses meet with mothers until the child is two years old

• Piloted in 40 counties in 2007-2008• Over 4,000 families served in 2007-2008




PA Children’s Trust Fund (CTF)

• Early childhood programs can play a pivotal role in preventing child abuse and neglect.

• Grants are given to early childhood programs that can build protective factors for children to prevent abuse and neglect.

• Involved in the national Strengthening Families Learning Community of the Center for the Study of Social Policy.

• 29 programs reached approximately 2,500 children and 29 early childhood education practitioners in 2007-2008.

• Friends of the Children’s Trust fund created in March 2007.




Children’s Trust Fund: What are protective factors?

Skills or supports that help keep adults from getting to the point of child abuse and neglect, such as: – Parental resilience;– Social connections;– Knowledge of parenting and child

development;– Concrete support in times of need;

and– Social and emotional competence of

children.




CTF: How early learning programs can build protective factors

Program strategies that:– Facilitate friendships and mutual support;– Strengthen parenting;– Respond to family crises;– Link families to services and opportunities;– Facilitate children’s social and emotional development;– Observe and respond to early warning signs of child

abuse or neglect;– Value and support parents; and– Support the health social/emotional development of the

child.




PA Parent-Child Home Program

• Home visitors help model for parents how to read to and play with their children in a way that strengthens verbal interaction and language development, builds a positive parent-child bond and provides a quality learning experience.

• Visits begin when a child is two years of age and continue for two years.

• In 2007-08, approximately 1,500 families in 26 counties were served.




OCDEL: Children Served




Children served by programProgram FY 02-03 FY 08-09 1 Program FY 02-03 FY 08-09 1

Did not exist 16,705 2 Head Start

Child Care Works Federal Head Start 30,986 35,311 2

TANF 33,939 31,988

Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program Did not exist 5,620

Former TANF 20,000 42,663 Keystone STARS

Low Income 45,908 62,614Estimated Children in Keystone STARS 45,745 170,935

TOTAL (monthly average) 99,847 137,265

Number of Providers in Keystone STARS 898 4,798 2

Early Intervention Nurse-Family Partnership 3,092 4,287

Birth to 3 Program 22,020 33,972 Pre-K

3 to 5 Program 33,726 43,872

School Based Pre-K and K4 2,684 18,022 2

Full Day Kindergarten 42,015 77,505 PA Pre-K Counts Did not exist 11,800

1 Fiscal Year End Goal or Projection 2 Projection based on Current FY Participating

Class Size Reduction (K-3rd Grade)




What’s next for OCDEL

As we focus this year on…..• Building a comprehensive, education

continuum; • Increasing program and vendor

accountability;• Building support for public investment in

quality early education; and• Creating a comprehensive child outcome data

system…




What’s next for OCDEL

…. We will • Bring quality to early learning opportunities;• Bring access to these opportunities for children

and families;• Have a system that can expand and improve;

and• Have effective children’s advocates and leaders

at all levels.




In FY 2008-2009, Pennsylvania will focus its work toward a seamless system of quality early education from birth to age five.

In order for Pennsylvania to have aquality early education continuum, we need to address:

In FY 08-09, Pennsylvania will focus on:

Quality program designEnsuring alignment of Pennsylvania’s early learning standards from infant through 3rd grade

Quality implementation & coordinationMonitoring of and technical assistance to early education programs for continuous quality improvementBuilding early childhood staff capacity

Meeting the diverse needs of familiesDeepening reach and risk study to include all OCDEL programsPromoting racial & cultural equity among OCDEL programsProviding parents with online searches for OCDEL programs

Maximizing resources

Convening a task force to assure programs can most effectively access and coordinate multiple ECE funding streamsIncreasing funding for OCDEL Programs (PA Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS, Child Care Works, Early Intervention, Nurse Family Partnership)

Documenting positive impact and building accountability into the program

Data collection that provides the big picture of how we are serving Pennsylvania’s children and families and what we are missingWorking to develop a standard system of assessing child outcomes




Moving Ahead: Planning, monitoring & accountability

• Refine and deepen OCDEL’s reach and risk assessment• Develop a standard system of assessing child outcomes

– Early Learning Network (ELN)

• Unified plan, evaluation and monitoring tools for both Infant/Toddler and Preschool EI programs

• Promote racial and cultural equity in all programs– Implementation of the Race Matters Toolkit; integrating

examination of racial and cultural equity into our work

• Create cross-sector Early Childhood Mental Health Advisory Committee




Moving Ahead: Standards for programs & practitioners

• Update Child Care Certification Regulations• Alignment of early learning standards &

assessments, birth – 3rd grade• Update to PA Pre-K Counts eligibility

requirements– Family providers with STAR 2 or higher would

become eligible to participate– After June 30, 2009: STAR 3 required for child care

programs to participate in PA Pre-K Counts




Moving Ahead: Assistance to meet standards & build capacity for excellence

• Build capacity of early childhood workforce– Facilitate regional articulation of

associate’s degrees to bachelor’s degrees

– Provide guidance to higher education to implement new Early Childhood Education certificate

– Continued professional development opportunities




Moving Ahead: Community engagement and outreach

• Build leadership at all levels• Broaden and deepen community outreach

networks• Continue to engage top business leaders• Make it easier for parents to access child care

assistance• Make it easier for parents to search for and

access early learning opportunities




Moving Ahead: Financing supports

• Task force to assure programs can most effectively access and coordinate multiple ECE funding streams

• Continue public-private partnerships




Useful links• Pennsylvania Department of Education –

www.pde.state.pa.us• Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

– www.dpw.state.pa.us• Pennsylvania Keys – www.pakeys.org• Pre K Counts Public Private Partnership –

www.prekcounts.org• Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children –

www.papromiseforchildren.com

Office of Child Development and Early Learning

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Transcript of Office of Child Development and Early Learning