Child Care Regulations for Licensure Presentation Kevin Savage
Licensing Administrator March 31, 2015 Healthy Children and Youth,
Strong Families, Diverse Caring Communities
Slide 2
Agenda Rule Changes/Rationale/Source Review of Rules
Promulgation Process and Timeline Rule Implementation
Slide 3
Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring
Communities Rule Changes/Rationale/Source Why? Evolving nature of
industry rules based upon best practices Influenced by: Race to The
Top (RIDE) Caring for Our Children Governors Early Learning Council
Child Care Provider Community How? Consultation with National
Association for Regulatory Administrators Internationally
recognized for regulatory best-practice standards in the human
service field
Slide 4
Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring
Communities Rules Promulgation Process required by RIGL
Administrative Procedures Act (APA) Ensures public input and agency
reaction Child Care Center rules change were promulgated in
accordance with APA
Slide 5
Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring
Communities Oct 2010-DCYF & Kids Count begin discussions with
National Association of Regulatory Administrators (NARA)
May--Meeting with Governors Early Learner Council (ELC)
Sub-Committee Nov 2011- Conceptual consensus achieved from ELC and
provider community representatives - Contract signed with NARA -
Race to the Top (RTTP) Grant completed Jan--Discussions continue
with NARA and ELC June 2012- NARA conducts site visit. Meets with
local stakeholders, providers and licensing staff Jul 2012- NARA
returns. Conducts Focus Groups and Public Forums to roll out
suggested regulatory changes Aug -- Draft of new Regulations sent
to DCYF by NARA Dec- 2012- Feed back obtained from ECL and
stakeholder community. - NARA created REVISED DRAFT of Child Care
Center Regs. - Revised draft distributed to ELC Timeline
Slide 6
Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring
Communities Jan -DCYF prepares for Public Hearings June
2013-Economic Impact Statement submitted to Office of Economic
Development July 2013-Public Hearing Held - DCYF provides reaction
to Public Hearing comments to NARA -NARA provides amended
regulations consistent with Caring for our Children guidance Nov
2013 -RULES PROMULGATED with a compliance date set for 31 July 2014
May 2014-Meeting with Senate, RIDE, Kids Count, DHS, RICCDA to
discuss impact July 2014-DCYF develops/distributes Measurement
Guide for Child Care Centers Aug 2014-Meeting with Senate Policy,
RIDE, Kids Count, DHS, RICCDA - Determined providers were in need
of compliance assistance Sept- Nov 2014- Meeting with House Policy
Office to answer questions -RTTT Grant facility funding approved.
Measuring process of child Care Centers occurs -Develop Variance
Process to increase compliance timelines Timeline
Slide 7
Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring
Communities Dec 2014- Discuss guidelines for distribution of $700K
set-aside grants for facility improvement work Feb 2015 -First
round of facility grants awarded Timeline
Slide 8
Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring
Communities Majority of Child Care Centers in compliance 359 of 410
Daycare Centers in full compliance Working diligently with 51
providers in compliance through Variance Process Facilitating
application and distribution of set-aside grant money for
compliance improvements Will review extension of variances
scheduled to end in July based upon demonstration of progress
towards compliance. Rules Implementation and Current Status
Slide 9
Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring
Communities Early Care and Education standards are ever- changing
and need to be reviewed periodically Impacted by new technology,
evolving industry standards tied to evidence based best-practices,
and inter-governmental impacts (Education, etc) Revised rules are
reasonable Consistent with Caring for our Children guidelines and
all other New England states Adjusted DRAFT rules, based upon
public hearings and provider inputs, in significant areas
Implementation process was very reasonable Compliant with Governors
Office of Economic Development requirements for Economic Impact
Statement Extensive stakeholder outreach and engagement
Conclusion
Slide 10
Healthy Children and Youth, Strong Families, Diverse Caring
Communities QUESTIONS?