Early Learning Coalition Plan
This Plan describes the early
learning activities developed by the
Early Learning Coalition of Palm
Beach County, Inc. for July 2006 - June 2009.
Plan Approval Date:____________ Approved
By:______________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1 COALITION INDENTIFICATION AND INFORMATION Pg. 5
PART 2 COMMUNITY PLAN
Section 1 Vision Pg. 6
Section 2
Section 3 Community Needs Assessment Pg. 6
Section 4 Coalition Priorities Pg. 11
PART 3 COALITION GOVERNANCE
Pg. 12
Section 1 Coalition Governance Pg. 12
0.1 Board Membership Pg.12
0.2 Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation Pg 12
0.3 Board and Personnel Complaints Pg.12
PART 4 PROGRAM ELEMENTS Pg.13
Section 1 Program Administration Pg.13
1.1 Support Services Pg.13
1.2 Single Point of Entry and Unified Waiting List Pg.14
1.3 Eligibility and Enrollment Process Pg.14
1.4 Voluntary Prekindergarten and School Readiness Verification of Pg.15
Attendance Procedures
1.5 Payment Rates Pg.16
1.6 Sliding Fee Scale Pg.16
1.7 Extended Day and Extended Year Services to Pg.16
Support Self- Sufficiency
1.8 Provider Eligibility Pg.18
1.9 Program and Service Evaluation Pg.19
1.10 Grievance Policies Pg.22
Section 2 Community Coordination Pg.23
2.1 School-age Care Pg.23
2.2 Coordination with Public Schools Pg.23
2.3 Coordination with the Department of Children Pg.24
and Families
2.4 Coordinated Staff Development and Training Pg.24
2.5 Collaboration and Coordination of Services Pg.28
with Other Entities
Section 3 Processes with Parents Pg.33
3.1 Consumer Education Pg.33
3.2 Choice of Settings and Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider ProfilesPg.33
3.3 Parent Access Pg.34
3.4 Parent Involvement and Skill-building Pg.34
3.5 Family Support Services Pg.39
3.6 Unique Population Groups Pg.42
Section 4 Processes with Providers Pg.44
4.1 Health Screening Pg.44
4.2 Age-appropriate Screening and Assessment Pg.45
4.3 Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Pg.48
4.4 Confidentiality of Records Pg.52
Section 5 Quality Activities and Services Pg.52
5.1 Quality Activities Pg.52
5.2 Discretionary Funds Related to Early Learning Resource and Pg.57
Referral and School-age Care
5.3 Discretionary Funds Related to Infant and Toddler Early Learning Pg.58
5.4 Discretionary Funds Related to Quality Expansion Pg.61
THE
COMPLETION OF THIS EARLY LEARNING COALITION PLAN MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED IN
CONJUCTION WITH THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION PLAN GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTION
PUBLISHED BY THE AGENCY FOR WORKFORCE
Part 1.
Coalition Identification and Information
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Coalition Name: |
Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc. |
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FEIN #: |
65-0974035 |
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Address: |
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Mailing Address (if different) |
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Phone: |
561-214-8000 |
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Fax: |
561-214-7450 |
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E-mail Address: |
warren.eldridge@elcpalmbeach.org |
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Chairperson’s Name |
Traver Gruen-Kennedy |
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Address (if different than above): |
DayJet, Inc. |
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Executive Director’s Name: |
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Counties represented by Coalition: |
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I hereby attest that all information provided in this plan is accurate and complete to the best of my belief and knowledge, and once approved, ensure that all services will be conducted in accordance with the approved plan. I also ensure that the local services will be in compliance with all applicable Florida Statutes and Regulations, Florida Administrative Codes, Federal Statutes and Regulations, and any other requirements as stipulated by the Agency for Workforce Innovation/Office of Early Learning.
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Chair Signature: |
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Executive Director: |
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Printed Name: |
Traver Gruen-Kennedy |
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Printed Name: |
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Date Signed: |
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Date Signed: |
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Part 2.
Community Plan
Community
Plan (s. 411.01(5)(c)1.g., F.S.)
Section 1. Vision
Response Assessment:
Information Only
A comprehensive, integrated
system of early education and care, including but not limited to, Voluntary Prekindergarten,
that prepares children for success in school and responds to the needs of
children and families of Palm Beach County.
All early education and care services will be accessible, affordable, of
the highest quality and will support parents in their role as the primary
influence in their child's learning and development.
Section 2.
Response Assessment:
Information Only
To manage, improve, and evaluate an integrated and quality seamless service delivery system for all publicly-funded early care and education programs serving children from birth to five years of age, or until the child enters kindergarten.
Section 3. Community Needs Assessment
Response Assessment:
Evaluation
Award winning collaboration of early care and education partners, beautiful beaches and wetlands, as well as a colorful and diverse mixture of cultures are some of the characteristics which make Palm Beach County a wonderfully unique community. In 2006-07 the community’s collaboration efforts will be formalized through partnership agreements.
In 2004, the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County
received statewide recognition for its collaboration efforts. The early care and education partners in
There are more than 1.3 million people who call
Tourism, construction and agriculture are the three major
billion dollar industries in
In October 2004, the median home price in
DEMOGRAPHIC
MAKE-UP OF ELIGIBLE FAMILIES
An estimated 126,072 individuals lived in poverty in 2004,
of which 10.3% (12,992) were children under age five. Of all children ages birth to four, 17.9%
were living in poverty in 2004 (2006
State of the Child in
This data depicts the fact that the community has unique
needs and assets which are based on the race and ethnicity of our
citizens. In
OTHER CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS
Other child development and early learning programs which
serve School Readiness eligible children include Head Start, Early Head Start,
HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of
Preschool Youngsters), PEPPI (Preschool Enrichment Program with Parent
Involvement) and Early Steps. These
programs work with low-income families from a variety of ethnic and cultural
backgrounds. Early Head Start enhances
the development of children from birth. Head Start serves children from ages
three to five. As of November 2005,
2,285 children were enrolled in the Head Start programs. Palm Beach County Head
Start is only one Head Start/Early Head Start agency. In 2005 there were a total of 27 Head Start
programs and seven Early Head Start programs in
The Department of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) at the
School District of Palm Beach County serves approximately 2000 children in
Prekindergarten programs each year. This
department provides educational interventions based on the needs identified in
the individual education plan of each child.
The ESE department also provides a continuum of services through
contracted services to the community and classrooms at public school sites.
Currently, they are serving children in 78 child care facilities by providing
speech and language interventions. The ESE department also has two contracts
that enable them to provide a full educational program.
EDUCATION, HEALTH, NUTRITION & SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS OF ELIGIBLE FAMILIES
According to the 2004 Florida Kids Count Data Book sixteen percent of persons age 25 and over did not graduate from high school and 27 percent graduated with no further education indicated. Twenty-eight percent obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. In 2004, 65.9% of high school seniors graduated.
For the month of August 2005, as reported in the Enhanced Field
System (statewide child care management information system) there were 233
licensed family child care homes, 216 licensed centers and 10 licensed exempt
centers serving approximately 9,000 children in state-funded School Readiness
programs. The legal child care capacity as
of August 31, 2005 was 27,536. The
As of September 2005 of all children ages birth to 12
receiving subsidized care in
Studies such as the High/Scope Perry Preschool study have proven that high quality early childhood experiences are a major factor in children’s development and ability to succeed once they reach school and later in life. The High/Scope Perry Preschool model showed a $17 return on every dollar invested 40 years later. Based on this and other research the Children’s Services Council funded and implemented the Quality Rating System, later named the Quality Improvement System. This four star rating system was finalized in 2003 with the following goals:
1. To produce positive outcomes for children,
2. To provide consumer education to help parents recognize, expect and seek out quality in a child care setting, and
3. To define, advocate for and obtain the resources necessary to encourage, support and promote quality early care and education.
As of March 30, 2006, 67 providers were listed in the Enhanced Field System as being active in the Quality Improvement System: 41 centers, 13 school-based sites and 13 family child care homes. Since the implementation of the Quality Improvement System the following data has been received: 31.3% of Quality Improvement System sites increased their star rating between 1 to 3 stars; 47% maintained a 4 star rating; and 12.5% decreased by 1 star and 9.4% demonstrated no change. As of March 30, 2006 there were 640 School Readiness providers which include licensed family child care homes, licensed centers, licensed exempt centers, informal care and school district sites. Based on the positive outcomes of the Quality Improvement System providers and the fact that 90% of school readiness providers are not in the Quality Improvement System, another Coalition priority is the expansion of the Quality Improvement System.
The Voluntary Prekindergarten program was implemented by the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County in August 2005. The Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Standards were formally adopted by the State Board of Education in March 2005. This early learning guide describes what four year old children should know and be able to do by the end of their prekindergarten year and is designed to guide instructors in designing and implementing appropriate early learning environments. It is of utmost importance that all Voluntary Prekindergarten providers receive training on these standards. Therefore training on the Voluntary Prekindergarten standards has been identified as a Coalition priority.
The Coalition’s direct service contractor, Family Central, Inc., provides Child Care Resource and Referral services to the general public interested in information about the types of early care and education that is available in the community. Services include assistance in locating child care and preschool programs that best meet family needs, as well as customized lists that match a family‘s specific needs for family child care homes, centers, preschools and school-age child care programs. Additional services include information and referrals for social services in the community, financial assistance, Florida KidCare Insurance, employer initiatives and other related services.
In an effort to learn about the Early Childhood community first-hand, and not only from data, Coalition board members are committing time to visit early care and education providers on a regular basis. These site visits help Coalition members learn the needs and challenges of the early childhood community.
The Health Care District provides a source of funding for low-income residents to gain access to health care. Because of the Health Care District, over 100,000 children have health insurance their families could not otherwise afford; 170,000 children in public schools have access to health care services and 40,000 children in public schools have access to behavioral health evaluations and interventions.
Florida Kid Care grew rapidly from 1999 to 2003. In
Section 4. Coalition Priorities
Response Assessment:
Information Only
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Priority |
Description |
Priority Addresses this Community Need |
Element Where the Priority is Addressed |
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1 |
The Coalition will collaborate with early care and education partners to assure that child care licensing requirements and municipal ordinances are aligned with meeting child care needs related to urbanization and a rapidly growing population. |
This priority addresses the realities of a rapidly growing urban community with rapidly increasing property values, the potential impact of these phenomenons on child care and ensuring alignment of the two. |
2.3.1 2.5.1 4.1.2 |
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2 |
The Coalition will provide resources for health screening (vision, hearing and speech assessments) for birth through five years of age. |
This priority addresses the community’s need to coordinate and identify available community resources to provide adequate health screening of all children receiving school readiness services. |
2.5.1, 4.1.1 4.1.2 |
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3 |
The Coalition will support the expansion of Quality Improvement System. |
This priority addresses the need for the provision of properly trained early care and education practitioners who are able to deliver a quality early education to the community’s children. |
2.4.1 |
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4 |
The Coalition will offer training on Early Learning Standards to every Voluntary Prekindergarten instructor. |
This priority ensures the implementation of a uniform standard of education for all Voluntary Prekindergarten children to ensure school readiness. |
2.4.1 |
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6 |
The Coalition will ensure accessibility and availability of infant/ toddler child care services. |
This priority addresses the need to ensure adequate child care space to meet the community’s demand for infant/toddler child care services |
5.3.1 |
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** |
These are not in order of priority. |
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*Add more fields as needed.
Part 3. Coalition
Governance
Section 0.1 Board Operation
0.1.1. Does the Board membership (included in Attachment 0.1.1A) adhere to statute and policy requirements?
(s.
411.01(5)(a)4-7., F.S.)(OEL File # 206.01, OEL File # 206.02 , OEL file # 206.03, OEL file # 206.04)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
0.2.1. Is the Coalition organized as a corporation? (s. 411.01(5)(d)4.i, F.S.) (OEL File # 206.10)
Response Assessment: Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation/ Evaluation, Organizational Chart/ Information Only
Yes, and copies of the bylaws, articles of incorporation, and organizational chart are included in Attachment 0.2.1A and 0.2.1B and 0.2.1C.
No
0.3.1. Does the Coalition have a process in place to address board and personnel complaints?
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will develop a process:
Part 4. Program Elements
Section 1.
Program Administration
1.1
Support
Services
1.1.1 Does the Coalition directly provide for or does the Coalition contract for the following services: systems support services, such as, an early learning resource and referral, eligibility determinations, training of providers, Inclusion Warm Line and parent support and involvement?(s. 411.01(5)(d)4.g., F.S.) (s. 402.3018(2), F.S.)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Yes, the Coalition maintains overall control of systems support services provided by the Coalition or other entity (ies).
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
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Service |
Provided by Coalition |
Provided by other Entity(ies), (NAME)s |
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Resource and Referral |
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Family Central, Inc. |
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Eligibility Determination |
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Family Central, Inc. |
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Provider Training |
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Family Central, Inc. |
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Parent Support and Involvement |
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Family Central, Inc. |
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Inclusion Warm Line |
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Family Central, Inc. |
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Reimbursement |
Family Central, Inc. |
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Other (List all) (1)School Age Services (2)Voluntary Prekindergarten Eligibility, Registration and Payment |
Family Central, Inc. |
1.2 Single Point of Entry
and Unified Waiting List
1.2.1. Does the Coalition adhere to the single point of entry and unified wait list established in statute and rule? (S. 411.01(5) (c)1.e., F.S.; s. 1002.53(4)(a), F.S.)(60BB-4.300)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
1.2.2. Do parents apply for Voluntary
Prekindergarten and School Readiness services for their children through the
single point of entry system? (s. 411.01(5)(c)1.e., F.S.; s. 1002.53(4)(a),
F.S.)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
No, and the following describes other points of entry and how the Coalition will completely conform to the single point of entry requirement.
1.3 Eligibility and
Enrollment Processes
1.3.1. Does the Coalition adhere to eligibility priorities established in statute and rule? (s. 411.01(5)(d)4.d., F.S.; s. 411.01(6), F.S.)(60BB-4.200-207,209)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
1.3.2. Has the Coalition established additional eligibility priorities?
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and the priorities are included in Attachment 1.3.2A.
1.3.3. Does the Coalition adhere to the Voluntary Prekindergarten eligibility documentation requirements as outlined in policy OEL-PI-0013-05?
Response Assessment: Evaluation
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
1.3.4. Has the Coalition established Voluntary Prekindergarten eligibility determination and enrollment procedures? (OEL-PI-0014-05)
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and the procedures are included in Attachment 1.3.4A.
No, and the following describes why:
1.4 Voluntary
Prekindergarten Verification of Attendance Procedures
1.4.1. Does the Coalition adhere to statutes and policy regarding verification of attendance for Voluntary Prekindergarten? (s.1002.71(6)(b), F.S.)(OEL File # 510.04)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Yes
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
1.5 Payment
Rates
1.5.1. Coalitions are required to establish payment rates that encompass all programs funded by the Coalition and take into consideration the most current market rate survey. A copy of the most current payment rate is included in Attachment 1.5.1A. (s. 411.01(5)(e)2, F.S.)(OEL File # 400.02)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
1.6 Sliding Fee Scale
1.6.1. A sliding fee scale, which is used to determine each family's contribution to the cost of early learning, must vary based on income and the size of the family. A copy of this sliding fee scale for early learning services is provided as Attachment 1.6.1A. (s. 411.01(5)(d)4.a, F.S.)(45 CFR 98.42)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Does the Coalition use factors in addition to income and the size of the family to determine the Sliding Fee Scale?
Yes, and the following describe any additional factors that will be used:
1.7 Extended Day and Extended Year Services
to Support Self-Sufficiency
1.7.1. Describe the Coalition process for providing, coordinating, and increasing the availability of extended day and extended year services. (s. 411.01(5)(c)1.b., F.S.)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
The Early Learning Coalition of
Palm Beach County provides extended day and extended year services through a
contract with Family Central, Inc., for direct child care services. The Coalition coordinates the need for
increased care of this type through close work with Family Central, Inc., and
through regular reviews of resource and referral reports.
In addition to the reports and
reviews received by Family Central, Inc.
The Coalition will complete a survey of a statistically significant
sample of families requesting such service to determine whether need was met
and to inform future outreach services.
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
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Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
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1.7.1. Extended Day and Extended Year Services |
As of March 31, 2006, a total of 269 providers offered extended day (evening, over night and weekend) services and 373 providers offered extended year (school age) services to children up to age 12. There were 100 school-age only programs with a total capacity of 9,684 as of this same time period. |
1. The Coalition will make available extended day and extended year services. |
1a. The Coalition will
determine availability and location of extended day and extended year
services and will direct Family Central, Inc. to develop and implement a
written procedure/ outreach plan to meet identified needs. 1b. The Coalition will continue
to provide extended day services for eligible families. 1c. Family Central, Inc. will continue to
enroll school age siblings of eligible families with children ages 0-5 to
serve the family as a whole, based on availability of funds. 1d. Family Central, Inc. will maintain an
updated outreach plan to identify and meet the needs of hard-to-serve, under-served,
and specialty populations, such as such as special needs, low income,
migrants and teenage parents. |
1. An average of at least 75% of requests for
extended day and extended year care will result in an enrollment. |
1.8 Provider Eligibility and
Provider Files
1.8.1. Does the Coalition adhere to provider eligibility verification requirements? (s.1002.55(3), F.S.) (AWI-Voluntary Prekindergarten Form 10)
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and the following describes the process:
Family Central, Inc., is the contracted provider for
all Voluntary Prekindergarten services. Family
Central, Inc. will provide information and technical assistance to providers in
order to ensure they understand the requirements as outlined in Office of Early
Learning policies. During orientations new providers will be advised of the
folllowing provider eligibility
verification requirements:
School Year Program: Completed Voluntary Prekindergarten 10 forms, and Voluntary
Prekindergarten 11 forms for each classroom; verification that the program
offers at least 540 instructional hours; maintains Voluntary Prekindergarten
classes with at least four and no more than 18 children (but not to exceed
license capacity); has a Prekinderarten director credential (or a child care
director credential, if completed before October, 2006); has a developmentally
appropriate curriculum; has for each Voluntary Prekindergarten class at least
one instructor who holds a minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA)
credential issued by an approved entity, and has completed a five-hour emergent
literacy training course or holds an appropriate educational credential as
provided in the Voluntary Prekindergarten statute; has at least one additional
instructor for each class of 11 or more children; employs instructors of good
moral character and completes level two background screening for all
instructors.
Summer Program: Offers at
least 300 instructional hours between May 1 and the start of the school year in
August or September; delivers to children no earlier than the summer before the
school year for which the children are eligible to enter kindergarten;
maintains Voluntary Prekindergarten classes with at least four and no more than
10 children (but not to exceed licensed capacity); has a developmentally
appropriate curriculum; and for each class has an instructor who holds a valid
Florida Educator Certificate or has one of the credentials identified in the Voluntary
Prekindergarten statute.
Upon receipt of the documentation Family Central, Inc.,
will review the documentation for accuracy and completeness. When all the correct documentation is
received the provider will then be notified of their acceptance as a Voluntary
Prekindergarten provider and an agreement will be completed. Both the school year
and summer programs require that a provider has executed a provider agreement
(Form AWI-Voluntary Prekindergarten 20) before the provider is paid for
services.
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
1.9 Program and Service
Evaluation
1.9.1. Does the Coalition adhere to Voluntary Prekindergarten program verification requirements? (s. 1002.75(2)(e), F.S.)
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and attached is a sample of the monitoring process included as Attachment 1.9.1A.
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
The Coalition has currently implemented an internal desk file review of the VPK providers. This process is attached. By August 2006, the Coalition will implement a process for in-depth monitoring of the VPK providers. The Coalition will work with its contracted provider to set up this monitoring system.
1.9.2. Describe how the Coalition evaluates the effectiveness of School Readiness programs and services.
(s. 411.01(5)(g), F.S.)
The Coalition evaluates the effectiveness of School Readiness programs and services in the following ways:
- The Board and Executive Director both participate in determining the critical programmatic elements in the Early Learning plan. The Board’s involvement is through presentation and discussion of items during board meetings, workshops and committee involvement. The executive director provides ongoing day-to-day guidance and direction to Coalition staff in the development of plan.
The Children’s
Services Council/Early Learning Coalition Evaluation Steering Committee,
composed of members of the Boards of the Coalition and Children's Services
Council, meets every six months to review progress towards the plan
outcomes. Based on changes in community
assessment needs, child/family needs, and/or board direction Coalition staff
make recommendations to amend plan priorities and content.
- The Coalition monitors Family Central, Inc., the contracted direct services provider, at a minimum annually. The monitoring allows the Coalition to determine Family Central’s adherence to School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten policies, procedures, contract terms and conditions. If deficiencies are identified the Coalition and Family Central work together to develop a corrective action plan to address the deficiencies. The Coalition provides follow-up to determine that the corrective actions have been implemented.
- The Coalition will coordinate with Family Central and/or the Palm Beach County Health Department, the local licensing agency, to monitor providers to determine adherence to statutory and programmatic requirements. These requirements include but are not limited to instructional staff training, licensure status, healthy and safe environments and teacher-child ratios.
- Coalition staff who monitor school readiness providers will receive training at least annually. Training will include but is not limited to developmentally appropriate curriculum and practice, developmental screening and assessment.
The Coalition will also use the following to evaluate the effectiveness of school readiness programs and services.
- The results of the School Readiness Uniform Screening System will be used as an indicator to evaluate the effectiveness of school readiness services. An analysis of the annual results will be tracked based on data from the implementation of the screening. Areas where additional focus is needed will be identified.
- The pre and post child assessment results will be used to evaluate effectiveness of School Readiness programs and services.
An
independent evaluation of the effectiveness of School Readiness programs and
services will be conducted.
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
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Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
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1.9.2. Evaluation Plan |
The Local Plan is reviewed bi-annually by the CSC/ELC Evaluation Steering Committee. School Readiness services are monitored in three ways 1. Through review of monthly and quarterly data submitted regarding elements in the Planning Implementation and Evaluation (P.I.E.) Program Evaluation Model. 2. Through the CSC/ELC Evaluation Steering Committee. 3. Through the Coalition’s monitoring of the contract provider, Family Central, Inc. and the monitoring of providers. |
1. To evaluate the effectiveness of School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten Programs. |
1a. The Coalition Board provides input into
development of programmatic elements in the Early learning plan through
workshops, Board meetings and committees. 1b. The Evaluation Steering Committee reviews
progress toward plan outcomes twice yearly. 1c. Based on progress in 1b
and if necessary , the Board will amend its priorities and Coalition plan. 1d. The Coalition in
coordination with Family Central and or the Palm Beach County Health
Department, the local licensing agency, will verify, through monitoring of
providers, performance of program requirements inlcuding but not limited
to required training, licensure
status, healthy and safe environments and teacher-child ratio. 1e. Coalition staff who
monitor school readiness providers will receive training at least annually. 1f. Coalition staff will be
given a pre-test prior to training and a post-test after training. |
1. 100% of plan
programmatic activities and amendments
will be presented to the Board for approval and/or adoption as documented by Board
agendas and minutes. 2. [PG1] . At least 85% of outcomes in the Early
Learning Plan will be met or exceeded. 3. 100 % of Coalition staff
who receive training will show an increase in knowledge after receiving
training. |
1.10 Grievance Policies
1.10.1. Does the Coalition have grievance policies or procedures to address parent, provider, and Coalition staff issues?
Response Assessment: Information Only
Yes, and attached is a sample of the grievance policies or procedures included as Attachment 1.10.1A and 1.10.1B.
No, and the following describes how the collations will develop a procedure(s):
Section 2. Community Coordination
2.1 School-age Care
2.1.1. Does the Coalition coordinate with other community agencies to address the need for school-age care? (45 CFR 98.20(a)(1))
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and the following describes the Coalition’s partner agencies and the services provided:
The Coalition works in coordination with Prime Time, Inc., a non-profit organization, with a mission to strengthen community capacity to provide a range of quality after-school programs to all of its children and youth through an integrated system of standards and supports. Coordination is demonstrated by both organizations contracting with the same entity, Family Central, Inc., to provide services. In addition, the Coalition’s Executive Director currently serves on Prime Time, Inc.’s Board of Directors. Management of both organizations are scheduled to meet twice a year.
The Coalition will enter into a partnership agreement with Prime Time, Inc.
No, and the following describes why:
2.2 Coordination with Public
Schools
2.2.1. Does the Coalition coordinate with each school district within the Coalition’s county(ies) or region for each school-year and/or summer Voluntary Prekindergarten program? (s. 1002.53(4)(c), F.S.)
Response Assessment: Demonstration
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
2.3 Coordination with the
Department of Children and Families
2.3.1. Does the Coalition coordinate monitoring activities with the Department of Children and Families to minimize duplication, including adherence to the Standard Levels of Service? (s. 1002.67(3)(d), F.S.)(s. 411.01(2)(c), F.S.)
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and the following describe coordination efforts:
The Coalition works in collaboration with the Environmental Health Child Care Office of the Palm Beach County Health Department and holds regularly-scheduled meetings to discuss coordinating efforts to minimize duplication.
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
2.4 Coordinated Staff Development and
Training
2.4.1. Describe how the Coalition ensures the provision of coordinated staff development and training (s. 411.01(5)(c)1.c., F.S.), including helping Voluntary Prekindergarten providers meet educational goals. (s.1002.65, F.S.)
The Coalition ensures the provision of coordinated staff development and training through;
1. Training provided by its contractor, Family Central, Inc.,
2. Participation on committees which address staff development and training (listed below).
Children’s Services Council funds
the Palm Beach County Early Childhood Registry, administered by the
Family Central, Inc., offers a minimum of six trainings, available in English and Spanish at different locations throughout the county, per quarter. Each of the trainings is approved by the Registry and in-service training hours are offered.
A variety of community-based
training classes and college credit courses are offered throughout the year and
at locations throughout
Early Childhood Education community
partners are participating in a long term project funded by Children’s Services
Council, to implement a community plan and strategy for a cohesive system of
early care and education and professional development linking formal and
informal training and educational paths.
Career Development in Child Development (CD2), a Toppel Family Foundation and Children’s Services Council initiative has helped to facilitate the development of an articulated academic career path. The Children’s Services Council has funded and implemented the Quality Improvement System. Professional development and training is one of the six pathways to quality.
The Palm Beach Community College Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education provides the following professional development supports and enhancements to participants in the Quality Improvement System: Financial aid to defray cost of college classes, workshops and conferences for all practitioners who work in centers that hold a rate agreement with Family Central, Inc., to serve low income children; The following supports are available only to Quality Improvement Participants: one-on-one career advisement to directors and staff, and special incentive programs which reward academic achievement through annual bonuses and salary enhancements
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart A below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
2.4.1. Coordinated Staff Development and Training |
The Registry is open to all
providers as of January 25, 2006. Prior
to that it was open to QIS providers only.
104 applications from QIS practitioners were received and processed
prior to that date. The |
1. Increase the number of
practitioners who join the Registry. 2. Ensure that the Coalition has
full participation and involvement in the professional development project. |
1.a. The Coalition will participate in all
planning activities related to the child care training registry. 1.b. Through the child care resource and
referral service, Family Central, Inc. will inform child care providers about
the child care training registry. 2.a. The Coalition and Family Central, Inc. will
actively participate in the development
of a cohesive, development system. |
1. By June 30,
2007, the number of practitioners in the county who will join the registry
will increase by 25%. 2. Within 18 months the
community will begin implementation of a well-articulated and cohesive
professional development plan. |
Identify the elements of the Coalition’s coordinated staff development and training plan in Chart B below:
|
Does the Coalition’s
coordinated staff development and training plan include: |
Yes |
No |
Responsible Entity * |
Which Groups Participate |
|
A link to Early Learning Guidelines |
Family Central, Inc. |
School Readiness (SR)/ Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Providers |
||
|
Continuum of training and education to form a career path |
PBCC, PBCSD, FAU |
SR/ VPK Providers |
||
|
Articulation from one type of training to the next |
PBCC, PBCSD, FAU |
SR/ VPK Providers |
||
|
Quality assurance through approval of trainers |
PBCC |
SR/ VPK Providers |
||
|
Quality assurance through approval of training content |
PBCC |
SR/ VPK Providers |
||
|
A system to track practitioners’ training |
PBCC |
SR/ VPK Providers |
||
|
Assessment or evaluation of training effectiveness |
PBCC Family Central, Inc. |
SR/ VPK Providers |
||
|
Administrator’s Credential |
PBCC |
SR/ VPK Providers |
||
|
Specialized strategies to reach informal providers |
Family Central Inc. |
SR Providers |
||
|
Other (explain): |
|
|
* Please designate whether the entity is performing services for Voluntary
Prekindergarten and /or School Readiness.
2.5 Collaboration and
Coordination of Services with Other Entities
2.5.1. Does the Coalition consult with representatives of local governments, health agencies and organizations, employment agencies and organizations, public education, child welfare agencies and organizations, Head Start, programs that promote inclusion of children with special needs, and other local private entities providing early childhood development services in developing and implementing programs?
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and the following describes with which agencies the Coalition consults and the collaboration and coordination that results:
-
Local
Governments:
The Coalition
in partnership with the Children’s Services Council and Family Central, Inc.,
has begun to research child care licensing requirements as it relates to
land/space usage. Other collaborations
would include but not be limited to municipalities, planning and zoning
agencies, realtors and child care providers.
This research will be completed by February 2007. Based on the research results the Coalition
Board will adopt recommendations to be submitted to the Child Care Advisory Council.
The Child Care Advisory Council is designated by the Board of County
Commissioners of
- Health Agencies: The Palm Beach County Health Department provides immunizations and physicals to the families of School Readiness eligible children. It is also the local child care licensing entity.
- The Comprehensive Services Program is funded 90% by the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County and 10% by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. Vision, hearing, dental and body mass index screening services are provided to 80 designated child care centers and family child care homes in Targeted Geographical areas (TGAs). Services are delivered by multidisciplinary teams that consist of 2 social workers, a nurse, and an outreach coordinator. Also in each TGA there will be one developmental specialist, who works with the team to administer the screenings mentioned above.
- Employment Agencies: The Coalition administers the Workforce Investment Act child care.
-
School District: The
- Child Welfare Agencies: The Coalition works in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families to serve at risk children.
- Head Start program is one of the Early Learning Coalition’s partners working collaboratively to include children with special needs and disabilities.
- Other local private entities providing early childhood development services would include: In addition to the Children’s Services Council, the Toppel Foundation and the Community Foundation funded the development and implementation of the Career Development in Child Development (CD2) program. The Redland Christian Migrant Association which provides for literacy-based services and child care services for migrant families. Through the Child Care Executive Program, non-child care businesses provide matching funds to assist in providing child care for their employees.
No, and these are the agencies that are not consulted with and why:
2.5.2. Describe Coalition activities to encourage private partnerships that promote private-sector involvement in meeting early care and education needs. (45 CFR 98.16(d))
Child Care Executive Partnership Program: The Early Learning Coalition works in coordination
with Family Central, Inc., to conduct outreach activities to expand business
participation in the Child Care Executive Partnership. Through a unique partnership with the
Children’s Services Council, private businesses are able to further leverage
their funds by receiving a dollar of local Children’s Services Council funds
for every dollar contributed by the business.
The two dollars then receive a match from the Child Care Executive
Partnership Program.
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Identify expected results relative to the promotion of private-sector involvement in meeting early learning needs in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
2.5.2. Coordination of Services – Public-private partnerships |
CCEP: The Coalition currently contracts with Family Central, Inc. to provide outreach to the business community for their involvement in meeting early learning needs. Because of this unique model, and the additional matching options, fifty-nine businesses currently participate in the Child Care Executive Partnership Program. These businesses assist 368 employees in meeting their child care needs. |
1. To increase the number of new employers establishing child care supports for their employees. |
1a. Family Central, Inc. will continue outreach
activities in the business community.
This includes attending Chambers of Commerce, the Economic Development
Council and other business organization meetings. 1b. Family Central, Inc.
will work in partnership with Workforce Alliance to develop a plan to market
the Child Care Executive Partnership Program to employers that have
low-income working parents. |
Increase the number of non-child care employers supporting or participating in the Child Care Executive Partnership Program by adding five new employers per year. |
2.5.3. Describe Coalition efforts and activities to meet Match
requirements?
The Coalition currently (through
June 30, 2006) maintains responsibility for raising local match funding for
low-income working parents. Local
matching funds are currently received from the Children’s Services Council,
Response Assessment:
Information Only
Identify expected results relative to securing match in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
2.5.3. Coordination of Services – match |
The Early Learning
Coalition is responsible for securing
approximately $1.2 million in local matching funds. For the 2005-06 fiscal year local matching
funds were secured dfrom the Children’s Services Council, Palm Beach County
government, the City of Boynton Beach and the City of Delray Beach. Staff
actively requests matching funds from all local municipalities. |
1. Increase the number of municipalities which
provide matching funding. |
1a. Family Central, Inc.
will actively participate in the local municipal budget process by securing
information on the budget process, including the budget calendar and by
attending budget meetings 1b. Family Central, Inc. will meet with individual municipal and county commission members to educate them about the importance of providing child care local matching funds to serve low-income working families. |
1. Increase the number of local municipalities by one per year which provide child care local matching funds to serve low-income working families. |
Section
3. Processes with Parents
3.1 Consumer
Education
3.1.1. Does the Coalition ensure that early learning Resource and Referral Services identified in the Standard Levels of Service provide consumer education to promote informed early education and care choices by parents, as identified in the Standard Levels of Service? (s. 411.01(5)(c)2.g., F.S.)(45 CFR 98.33)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
3.2 Choice of Settings
3.2.1. Does the Coalition ensure that parents are offered a choice of settings in legally operating programs; licensed, registered, religious-exempt, school-based, and informal programs, including access through certificate options, as identified in the Standard Levels of Service? (s. 411.01(5)(d)4.b, F.S.; s. 411.01(7)(a), F.S.)(45 CFR 98.1 & 98.30)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Yes
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
3.2.2. Does the Coalition assist parents in finding eligible Voluntary Prekindergarten providers? (s. 1002.53(5), F. S.)
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
3.3 Parent Access
3.3.1. Does the Coalition have an
established policy that ensures parents have unlimited access to their children
whenever children are in the care of School Readiness providers? (CFR 45 Part
98.31)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Yes
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
3.4 Parent Involvement and
Skill-building
3.4.1. Describe how the Coalition ensures the provision of parent involvement and skill-building/education opportunities. (s. 411.01(4)(o), F.S.)
The Coalition in collaboration with Early
Care and Education Partners provides opportunities for parent skill building.
The Family Central, Inc.’s Resource Library provides parents with the opportunity to encourage a love for books and reading in their children. The library is stocked with parent-skill building information, child appropriate toys, books, activities, educational material and parent-child story telling time in English and Spanish. These activities support the Coalition’s effort to involve parents as their child’s first teacher. The Family Central Resource Mobile serves as a library on wheels for users who live in remote or isolated locations. This unit is available to providers who, in turn, are able to provide parents with skill-building activities.
Parent involvement is provided through each phase of the Developmental Assessment and Screening Process. Parents must give informed consent for the screening to be conducted. Parents also participate in the assessments by completing a portion of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) tool. Parents are provided with the results and also an explanation of the results. If follow-up services are indicated, parents are provided with referrals and linkages of their choice. This year there will be a new outreach position that will work with Family Central, Inc., to enhance the education of parents and families about screenings. This position will also work with parents to complete the ASQ and Early Screening Inventory Kindergarten (ESI-K). This also helps parents to become more involved as they understand more about the screening process. The sum total of these services provides for in depth parental involvement and a healthy child ready and able to participate in school. .
Parent involvement is one of the six Pathways to Quality in the Quality Improvement System, funded and implemented by the Children’s Services Council. Providers in the Quality Improvement System are offered several parent involvement standards and suggestions to assist centers with defining and implementing appropriate practices. Some of these parent involvement standards include group parent meetings, parent handbooks stating current policies, updated bulletin boards, parent involvement in the classroom, parent council that meets a minimum of once a year and individual parent/teacher conferences.
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required Element |
Current Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
3.4.1. Parent Involvement and Skill-building |
Parents are involved in
developmental screening/ One hundred percent of the child care providers in the Quality Improvement System provided at least one parent activity. The Quality Improvement System requires open door policy to children at the basic level of the Quality Improvement System participation. Parental involvement is one of the six pathways in the Quality Improve-meant System. Child care programs must work effectively with parents; and the Parent Involve-ment Pathway accounts for 10% of the Quality Improvement System Rating Scale. Parent Involvement occurs in a variety of ways as an ongoing process. |
1. Maintain parental involvement in completing developmental screening of children enrolled in School Readiness programs. 2. School Readiness providers participating in the Quality
Improvement System program will earn 10% (4
points) for the parent involvement activity when rated. 3. Establish a baseline of
parents who are able to name at least three domains in the Voluntary
Prekindergarten developmental standards as of June 30, 2007. |
1a. Family Central, Inc., mails a parent guardian letter to the child
care provider regarding developmental screening. 1b. If additional services are needed once screens are scored, the
provider will obtain parent/guardian permission to schedule a parent-conference
with the Director, primary caregiver
and Comprehensive Services staff before further evaluation or services are
rendered. 2. Family Central’s Quality
Rating Assessors will compile a report on Quality Improvement System centers that are rated from July to June of each
year. Family Central will forward the report with scores earned
to the Coalition quarterly. |
1. 100% of parents will be notified of the screening data within 45 days after the completion of the data analysis. 2. If referral is noted, 100% of the parents are given the opportunity for a face to face meeting to discuss results and the next steps. 3. 90% of Quality
Improvement System providers who are rated
July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007
will earn 10% on the parent involvement pathway. 93% by 2007-08; 95%
by 2008-09. 4. By June 30, 2008 the number of parents who can identify at least three Voluntary Prekindergarten domains will increase by 5% over the baseline. 5. By June 30, 2009 the number of parents who can identify at least three Voluntary Prekindergarten domains will increase by at least 5% over the January 31, 2008 number. |
3.4.2. Describe how the Coalition provides family literacy opportunities. (s. 411.01(4)(o), F.S.)
The Coalition
in collaboration with early care and education partner Redland Christian
Migrant Association provides family literacy opportunities through the Even Start Grant.
This family literacy program aims to help break the cycle of poverty and
illiteracy in low-income families by improving educational opportunities
through the integration of early childhood education, adult literacy or adult
basic education, and parenting education in a unified family literacy
progam.
The “Care to Read
Program” of the Palm Beach County Literacy Coalition trains 150 child care
providers annually on strategies to foster the language and literacy
development of young children. The training is done in child care
centers, family care homes and with visiting nurses. The program
distributes 3,600 books to more than 1,200 individual children and places 3,500
books into 100 childcare classroom libraries and 15 family care homes.
The program also distributes 7,000 new board books to young children and their
families in partnership with the Healthy Start/Healthy Families visiting nurses
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
3.4.2. Family Literacy |
From October 2005 through
March 2006 the “Care to Read Program” provided 2,754 books to more than 2,500
individual children and placed 764 books into child care libraries and family care homes. Even Start Grant funding
was received for 2005-2006. Family Central Inc., operates a library accessible to providers, community members and parents. The library houses skill building resources for parents, children and providers. |
1. Maintain the number of children receiving
age- appropriate reading material in the Care to Read program. 2. Maintain family literacy activities as outlined in the Even Start Project |
1. Care to Read program will distribute books to targeted sites.
2. Redlands Christian Migrant Association will provide Parent and Child Together (PACT) adult literacy instruction, individual counseling, testing and ESOL classes according to specifications of the Even Start Grant. 2a. Redlands Christian Migrant Association will continue
collaboration with the 2b. Redlands Christian Migrant Association will collaborate with the Literacy Coalition for supervision and training of AmeriCorps volunteers. 2c. Redlands Christian Migrant Association will collaborate with the Parenting Center for provision of parenting workshops and counseling to the families served by the Even Start Grant. 2d. Redlands Christian Migrant Association will provide a variety of literacy based programs for children and families served by the Even Start grant such as the provision of early child-hood education, adult education, parenting education, and interactive literacy activities between parent and children at home. |
1. An average of 1000 children will receive books per quarter. 2. In the 2006-2007 grant year, Even Start will provide services for at least 16 families by June 30, 2007. 3 Provide number of family literacy hours as specified by the Even Start grant by June 2007. 4. At least 75% of families enrolled in the Even Start Project will complete the program. 5. The average attendance of families to Even Start literacy activities would be at a minimum of 80% and client satisfaction with service provision will be 85% according to periodic surveys completed by Redlands Christian Migrant Association. |
3.5 Family Support Services
3.5.1. Describe how the Coalition ensures the provision of family support services to help achieve economic self-sufficiency.
(s. 411.01(5)(c)1.d., F.S.)
The Children's Services Council provides funding to the Coalition to offer eligible families assistance with the cost of child care. This allows families to continue their education, continue working, and use their salary toward other necessities. The money provided by the Children’s Services Council is allocated to the Child Care Purchasing Pool and Child Care Executive Partnership, which allows the Coalition to receive matching funds from the state, which, in turn, allows more families to receive services. The Children’s Services Council also provides funding through the “Continue to Care” program which allows eligible families (whose children participate in centers in the Quality Improvement System) to continue receiving child care until their child enters kindergarten.
The Workforce Alliance is
responsible for coordinating resources in the community which assist in
building a skilled workforce. Through a
variety of employment and training initiatives, they assist community members in
job seeking skills, securing gainful employment and becoming
self-sufficient. Transitional Child Care
is one of the child-care related support services offered by Workforce Alliance
to help customers achieve economic self sufficiency. Transitional Child Care is a main stay of
support services for families who received some form of cash assistance
including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Upfront Diversion or Relocation
Assistance. Each group has specific
eligibility criteria. They are all
required to demonstrate financial need.
Once an individual is eligible to receive Transitional Child Care,
services may be provided for up to two years, provided certain conditions are
met. The Coalition works in coordination
with Workforce Alliance to provide child care to Workforce Alliance
clients.
Resource and Referral is a free
service provided by Family Central, Inc.
Family Central, Inc. parent counselors are dedicated to helping families
find community resources such as housing, food, employment, counseling and
other support service that would assist families to become self sufficient.
Family Central, Inc staff refers families to Workforce Alliance,
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
3.5.1. Family Support Services |
As of April 18, 2006, 275
children are receiving child care in Quality Improvement Centers through
“Continue to Care” funds from the Children’s Services Council. Transitional Child Care provides support services to participants who leave government assistance through employment, Upfront Diversion, or Relocation Assistance. |
1. Maintain support services to help families achieve economic self sufficiency. |
1a. The Coalition and Family Central, Inc. will work with partners to identify strategies to inte-grate services for families served by School Readiness providers. 1b Family Central’s
Resource and Referrral Parent Counselors will continue to make the necessary
referrals and linkages for services. 1c. The Coalition will
coordinate with Workforce Alliance to provide information regarding job fairs
and training to families 1d. The coalition will survey parents who received family support service referrals to determine if the services received met their needs. |
1. At least 90% of parents who respond to the survey regarding satisfaction with resource and referral provided by Family Central Inc. will report satisfaction with services. 2. At least 90% of families accessing services through Resource and referral for Family Support services will report needs being met. |
3.6 Unique Population Groups
3.6.1. Describe how the Coalition
ensures that support services are provided to families from unique population
groups, as identified in the Standard Levels of Service. (s. 411.01(5)(d)4.j.,
F.S.)(45 CFR 98.44; 45 CFR 98.50(a))
Many community
early care and education initiatives focus on targeted geographical areas. These are areas that have been determined to
have a high percentage of economically disadvantaged children and families. In
addition, the Coalition works with community partners including Children’s
Services Council, Family Central, Inc., and the
A local
consortium of concerned educators and early childhood advocates began a
community outreach initiative to a special population of Guatemala Maya Indians
living in exile in
The local consortia worked together to identify a small cohort of eight Mayan children who were enrolled into the Highland Elementary Voluntary Prekindergarten program. Planning is underway to expand this community outreach initiative to include parent support skills (ESOL, job training, interpretive cultural facilitation and parenting skills) to help parent help their children by supporting them throughout the educational experience of the child.
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
3.6.1. Unique Population Groups |
The Coalition currently serves more than 100 children of
migrant families who are designated as such by the Lead Education Agency ( One hundred ninety children of teen parents are currently enrolled in the Teenage Parent Program Sixteen families participate in the Even Start program. |
1. Continue to expand services to hard-to-serve
and previously under-served families. 2. Establish the number of providers who serve children with special needs. |
1a. Family Central, Inc.
will develop and imp-lement an
outreach plan to identify and meet the needs of hard-to-serve and speciality
popula-tions including children with developmental delays and disabilities. 1b. The Coalition
in coordination with Family Central, Inc. will engage key community agencies
with expertise in meeting needs of specialty populations in culturally
relevant ways. 1c. Family Central, Inc.
will work in coordination with the |
1. Increase the number of children of migrant
families receiving child care assistance by 20, as of June 30, 2007. 2. Increase the number of Guatemalan Maya children
in the Voluntary Prekindergarten program by 100% by June 30, 2007. 3. Enroll at least 8 Guatemalan Maya children ages birth to four
by June 30, 2008. 4. Provide services to 100% of children of
teenage parents who are referred to Family Central, Inc. for services.
|
Section
4. Processes with Providers
4.1 Health
Screenings
4.1.1. Does the Coalition conduct health screenings and referrals or coordinate with an entity (ies) to conduct health screenings and referrals on School Readiness children including license exempt and faith-based providers? ( s. 411.01(2)(a), F.S)(45 CFR 98.41)
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and those entities include:
|
Entity(ies) |
Immunization
Requirements |
Type(s) of
Screening Administered (For
Demonstration Purposes Only) |
Referral
Method (For
Demonstration Purposes Only) |
|
Health Care District of |
Vision and hearing screening, body mass index, dental screening and the review of immunization records. |
Completed through the Comprehensive Services program. Children are also assessed for any other issues impairing School Readiness. Comprehensive Services follows up with parents by giving them referrals to appropriate sources. |
|
|
Palm Beach County Health Department |
Provides immunizations |
Every child has to have immunizations prior to entering child care centers and public schools. |
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to these requirements:
4.1.2. Does the Coalition require registered and informal providers to adhere to health and safety requirements in addition to the state required child abuse and neglect screenings? (45 CFR 98.41)(s.411.01(5)(c)2.f., F.S.)
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Yes, and the following describes the requirements established by the Coalition within the following health and safety categories:
·
The
prevention and control of infectious disease (including age-appropriate
immunizations)
All child care providers, including informal providers, are required by the rate/voucher agreement to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to, requirements of local fire and building codes, the Palm Beach County Child Care Ordinance and Chapters, 65C-20, 65C-21 and 65C-22, Florida Administrative Code.
·
Building
and physical premises safety
All child care providers, including informal providers, are required by the rate/voucher agreement to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. including but not limited to, requirements of local fire and health authorities, the Palm Beach County Child Care Ordinance and Chapters, 65C-20, 65C-21 and 65C-22, Florida Administrative Code.
·
Health
and safety training
All child care providers, including informal providers, are required by the rate/voucher agreement to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to, requirements of local fire and health authorities, the Palm Beach County Child Care Ordinance and Chapters, 65C-20, 65C-21 and 65C-22, Florida Administrative Code.
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
4.2 Age-appropriate Screening and Assessments
4.2.1 Describe how the Coalition
ensures that all children birth to five years old in School Readiness programs
receive an age-appropriate developmental assessment(screening) (s.
411.01(5)(c)2.c., F.S.) The description
should also include information on how children with screening results outside
the developmental norm receive further evaluation and services, if needed.
The Coalition works with community partners including the Health Care District and Family Central, Inc., to train and administer developmental screening and assessments. By partnering with the Health Care District, the Coalition is able to benefit from the additional expertise of the Comprehensive Services’ teams, consisting of social workers and nurses. For the past three years the Coalition has used the “Ages and Stages Questionnaire” as the screening instrument. Results are entered into a locally-developed management information system (Welligent). Children who are identified as needing additional services are provided the appropriate referrals.
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
4.2.1. Age-appropriate screening |
Family Central and the
Comprehensive Services program work in collaboration to provide screening and
assessment to children receiving school readiness services. The Coalition has adopted
the Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) tool and will continue use of
the “Ages and Stages Questionnaire” screening tool. |
1. Increase developmental screening of children, ages 0-5 enrolled in School Readiness child care programs. |
1. Family Central, Inc. will mail a consent and
tracking form and a parent/guardian
letter to the child care provider. 2. Provider distributes a
Parent/Guardian letter and a consent form and the appropriate screening tool
to those parents /guardians whose child(ren) appear on the Tracking Form
provided by Family Central. 3. Provider collects screening tool and consent forms returns within two weeks. |
1. Increase the number of screens completed annually by 10% each year. 2. 100% of parents will be notified of the screening data within 45 days after the completion of the data analysis. 3. If a referral is noted, 100% of the parents are given the opportunity for a face to face meeting to discuss results and the next steps. |
4.2.2 Describe how the Coalition ensures that a pre-test (child assessment) is administered to children when they enter a program and a post-test (child assessment) is administered to children when they leave the program. (s. 411.01(5)(c)2.d., F.S.)
The Coalition
completed a pilot study to determine the most appropriate assessment tool to
use with
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
4.2.2 Pre-test and Post-test |
A pilot program to
determine the most appropriate assessment tool has been completed. The
Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) was the tool chosen after the
pilot program was completed. This instrument was chosen
as the assessment tool that would provide the most useful data to help
parents and child care providers. In
addition, evaluation data from the Health Care District of |
1. To initiate a phase in process for implementing the DECA assessment tool to test a sample of children ages 2-5. |
1a. The Coalition will procure
a provider to implement the phase in process. 1b. The Coalition will initiate a phase in process to include testing of children within each age group, ages 2-5 by June 30, 2007. 1c. The Coalition will involve the child's parent in the process prior to testing and provide and explain results, as well as any referrals, linkages and follow up as needed. 1d. The Coalition will work with community partners to implement a procedure that will provide parents and providers with results in a timely manner. |
1. A statistically significant sample of children ages 2-5 will receive a pre and post-test beginning
September 1, 2006. 2. After testing, if
needed, a referral for services will be provided to 100% of children where
indicated. 3. Prior to the test being administered 100% of the parents will receive information about the testing process. 4. Within 45days after the assessment is administered 100% of the parents and providers will be given the results with an explanation . |
4.3 Developmentally
Appropriate Curriculum
4.3.1. Has the Coalition identified and implemented developmentally appropriate curricula? (s. 411.01(5)(c) 2.a., F.S.) Response Assessment: Criteria/ Evaluation, Attachments/ Demonstration
Yes, and the following describes the process for identifying, monitoring, and providing support to providers on developmentally appropriate curricula, as well as a process in place for a provider to submit a developmentally appropriate curriculum to the Coalition for evaluation and/or recommendation. Attachment: 4.3.1A.
A community Training and Curriculum
Committee was convened over the past year to select approved curricula and to
discuss future curricula training needs.
One of the goals was to select curricula in addition to High Scope and
Montessori for which training and support are currently being offered in this
community. The committee selected six
curricula that had been previously reviewed by the Florida Center Reading
Research at
The Coalition continues to identify the use of developmentally appropriate curricula by surveying providers on an annual basis. The Coalition will continue annual surveys. Monitoring of the use of developmentally appropriate curricula will be performed during the Coalition’s annual monitoring of providers.
In April through June 2006,
The Coalition will establish a committee to develop a process, by September 30, 2006, which will allow a provider to submit a developmentally-appropriate curriculum to the coalition for evaluation and recommendation
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
4.3.2. Has the Coalition identified and implemented character development program(s)? (s. 411.01(5)(c) 2.b., F.S.)
Response Assessment: Criteria/ Evaluation, Attachments/ Demonstration
Yes, and the following describes the process for identifying, monitoring, and providing support to providers on character developmental programs, as well as a process in place for a provider to submit a character development program to the Coalition for evaluation and/or recommendation. Attachment: 4.3.2A
The Coalition’s philosophy is that a developmentally appropriate, research-based curriculum includes a character development component. All of the approved curricula contain character development components. Therefore, the Coalition has implemented a character development program in conjunction with the implementation of the developmentally-appropriate curriculum program.
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to the requirement:
4.3.3. Describe how the Coalition ensures that School Readiness providers use developmentally appropriate curricula.
Response Assessment: Demonstration
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
4.3.3. Developmentally appropriate curricula |
A survey was sent to 511 School Readiness providers in December 2005. Of the 457 providers who responded, 265 reported using one of the four developmentally- appropriate curricula. |
1. Increase the number of School Readiness providers who use developmentally- appropriate curricula. 2. Fully implement developmentally- appropriate curricula and character-development programs by September 30, 2007. |
1a. The Coalition will survey School Readiness providers annually to identify which providers report using developmentally- appropriate curricula. 1b. The Coalition in coordination with Family Central, Inc., will monitor providers to determine that the reported curricula are being used by the provider. 1c. The Coalition will collect data for character development in conjunction with the annual survey sent out to providers to determine use of developmentally- appropriate curricula. 1d. Palm Beach Community will provide at least four additional non-credit classes focusing on Coalition-approved curricula. 1e. 2a. The Coalition will organize a committee to develop a process for providers to submit curricula to the Coalition for evaluation. |
1. Increase the number of School Readiness providers using a developmentally-appropriate curricula with a character development component from the baseline set. 1a. At least 70 child care practitioners will receive curricula training by June 30, 2007.
1b. Fifty percent of the modifiable issues identified in the Professional Quality Assessment will be accomplished after curriculum training. 2. There will be a process in place by September 30, 2007, for providers to submit curricula to the Coalition for evaluation. |
4.4
Confidentiality
of Records
4.4.1. Has the Coalition established policy and procedures to ensure the confidentiality of individual child records and early learning provider records, as identified in the Standard Levels of Service? (s. 411.011, F.S.)(s.1002.72, F.S.)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
No, and the following describes how the Coalition will completely conform to these requirements:
Section 5: Quality Activities and Services
5.1 Quality Activities
5.1.1. Describe activities the Coalition will implement with quality funds utilizing the chart with descriptive headings listed below. Coalitions are not required to develop activities for each heading. (45 CFR 98.51)
Early Care and Education
quality activities and services in
Response Assessment: Evaluation
|
Category |
Description |
|
Comprehensive
consumer education |
Any parent who calls the Child Care Resource and Referral line receives
comprehensive information on choosing a quality child care provider,
referrals for services being requested, and a choice of providers and
information on the variety of programs available to meet the parent's
need. Consumer education is available
at Family Central’s library, providing parents with a variety of resources to
assist them in being their child's first teacher. Parent education materials are supplied, as
well as opportunities for family literacy interactions. |
|
Gold Seal
Differential |
The Coalition currently pays the maximum of 20% of Gold Seal
differential which accounts for approximately 10% of the Coalition's budget. |
|
Grants or
loans to providers to assist in meeting State and local standards |
Family
Central Inc. provides mini-grants to improve
the quality of child care in facilities.
All operating providers in the county are eligible to apply for mini-grants. The maximum amount for each mini-grant is
$500.00. Mini-grants are approved in
the spring each year. Mini-grants can
be used for educational supplies or used towards the cost of
accreditation. |
|
Professional
development, including training, education, and technical assistance |
The Coalition works in coordination with community partners to foster
the development of a comprehensive professional development system including
working to increase compensation to child care staff. |
|
Improving
salaries and other compensation for early learning providers |
The Coalition works in collaboration with community partners and Children’s
Services Council to develop and implement a career ladder for child care
staff to include promoting higher education, additional training and increase
in compensation to child care staff. |
|
Activities in
support of early language, literacy, pre-reading and early math concepts
development |
The Coalition
is the fiscal agent for the Even Start Grant provided to the Redlands Christian
Migrant Association. This grant serves the migrant population and includes a
variety of literacy activities for both child and parent. |
|
Activities to
promote inclusive early learning |
An Inclusion
Specialist, on staff at Family Central, Inc., provides training and technical
assistance in the areas of inclusion and behavioral issues to any legally
operating provider in the county. The
Specialist maintains a provider Warm Line so that providers may call with
their questions and requests for assistance. The Early
Steps program supports families to enhance the development of special needs infants
and toddlers ages birth to 36 months. Services must be provided, to the
maximum extent possible, in natural environments, which may include early
care and education settings. Early Steps provides training and technical
assistance on inclusion to providers serving children receiving Part C
benefits. |
|
Health
activities including those designed to promote the social and emotional
development of children |
In conjunction with the administration of the DECA assessment tool,
parents receive comprehensive education information regarding the tools and
results of the assessment. Parents are
also linked to appropriate services based on the results of the
assessment. Currently this function is
performed by the Health Care District. . |
|
Quality
activities that increase parental choice and improve the quality and
availability of early learning. (§98.51(a)(1)
and (2)) |
The Child Care Resource & Referral Program (at Family Central, Inc.)
provides comprehensive information on determining quality child care
facilities. It provides customized
child care center searches through telephone or in-person counseling. It addresses child care options, center openings,
public subsidies, tax credits, financial aid, quality indicators, guidance on
selecting child care, practical tips for a child care search, child care
referrals, and any other referral a parent may request.. |
|
Other |
|
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
5.1.1. Quality and Availability Enhancement Activities |
The Coalition currently
pays the maximum 20% Gold Seal Differential.
In collaboration with the Children’s
Services Council quality enhancement payments are awarded to qualifying
second-year Quality Improvement System participants to assist providers with
expenses related to providing a quality child care program. |
1. Continue to develop and implement activities that
increase the quality and availability of child care services. 2. Increase the number of
providers participating in the Quality Improvement System. 3. Maintain the provision of
consumer education to parents and
providers. 4. Increase parent involvement activities. |
1a. Family Central will process 100% of Gold
Seal payments for qualifying School Readiness providers based on submission
of attendance/invoices. 1b. Family Central, Inc. will conduct
aggressive outreach in targeted communities to recruit providers needed by
families. 2.a The Coalition, Family Central, Inc. and Children’s Services Council will coordinate efforts to publicize the Quality Improvement System through all School Readiness funded programs. 3. Family Central, Inc., will develop and implement a
marketing plan to publicize Voluntary Prekindergarten inclusive of consumer
education to all segments of 4. Family Central, Inc., will provide bi-monthly, community-wide parent orientations on Voluntary Prekindergarten quality elements, program structure, parent responsibility and purpose of Voluntary Prekindergarten. 4a. Family Central, Inc., by completion of a survey will determine the baseline for the number of parents who currently can identify at least three of the Voluntary Prekindergarten standards.
|
1a. Gold Seal Payments will be documented monthly. 1b. Forty hours per month of technical assistance will be provided to School Readiness providers by the Infant/Toddler Specialist. 2. To increase providers participating in the Quality Improvement System by 20 centers and 10-15 homes annually 3. Increase by 10% the number of parents who make an informed choice in child care facilities. 3a. As a result of provision of consumer education the 2007 summer Voluntary Prekindergarten enrollment will be at least 60% of the 2006-07 school year enrollment for Voluntary Prekindergarten. 4. Increase the established baseline of parents who can identify at least three Voluntary Prekindergarten standards by five%. |
5.2 Discretionary
Funds Related to Early Learning Resource and Referral and School-age Care
5.2.1. Describe activities the Coalition will implement to enhance the quality of early learning resource and referral and school-age care. (45 CFR 98.51(2)(i)) (ACYF-PI-CC-99-05)
Response Assessment: Evaluation
The Coalition contracts with Family Central, Inc. to provide Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) services. These services are provided to parents regardless of income. Parents may receive customized referrals either through telephone consultations or in person by visiting Family Central, Inc.’s office. Family Central, Inc. ensures that the highest quality services are offered through the use of a continuous quality improvement program which includes monitoring, feedback and training.
As mentioned in an earlier section, the Coalition works in coordination with Prime Time, Inc., and other community partners, to enhance the quality and coordination of school-age services. Coalition staff will meet regularly with Prime Time staff to ensure that all efforts are being coordinated to the highest degree possible
Identify expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Objective |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
5.2.1. CCR&R and School-age Quality Improvement Activities |
Family Central, Inc. provides customized referrals to more
than 1,024 families each month. A customer survey is sent to parents to provide feedback on the quality and helpfulness of the services. Family Central, Inc. also regularly updates the child care database and analyzes it to determine areas of need. The Coalition Executive Director serves on the board of Prime Time, Inc. This helps to ensure that the Coalition is aware of the school-age initiatives being implemented in the community. |
1. Improve access to child care resource and
referral services by parents, regardless of income. 2. Meet the child care needs of under-served areas or populations.
|
1a. Continue to provide parents with child care
referrals through phone consultations or in-person interviews. 1b. Conduct aggressive outreach in targeted
communities to recruit providers needed by families. 2a. Review supply and demand data to identify
child care needs. 2b. Recruit and provide support to new
providers to address identified child care needs. 3a. Continue partnerships with community
partners to address the needs of school age children. 3.b. The coalition will survey parents who received family support service referrals to determine if the services received met needs. |
1. Increase the number of parents using child care resource and referral services by 15 percent per year.
|
5.3 Discretionary Funds
Related to Infant and Toddler Early Learning
5.3.1. Describe activities the Coalition
will implement to enhance the quality of infant and toddler early learning.
(ACYF-PI-CC-99-05)
It appears from anecdotal evidence that the Voluntary Prekindergarten program has caused a reduction in the availability of infant/toddler care. The community, led by Children’s Services Council, is undertaking a project that will help provide recommendations as to the best way to meet the needs of infants and toddlers.
The Coalition
will be an active participant in a project led by Children’s Services Council which
will determine the availability and quality of infant toddler/care in
Response Assessment: Evaluation
Identify
expected results relative to this element in the chart below:
|
Required
Element |
Current
Situation |
Action |
Activities |
Outcome |
|
5.3.1. Infant and Toddler Quality Improvement Activities |
Children’s Services Council provided WestEd Training in the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers (PITC) to all Early Learning Coaches who work with providers in the Quality Improvement System. Two Early Learning Coaches received training to become Infant Toddler trainers. These are dedicated coaches whose expertise is in infant toddler care. The Coalition funds an Infant Toddler Specialist position
through Family Central, Inc. The
Infant / Toddler Specialist is responsible for providing training and
technical assistance specializing in Infant and Toddler Care to providers in
both the subsidized and non-subsidized settings. There are approximately 400
providers in |
1. Increase availability and quality of infant toddler care. 2. Determine if infant toddler care is affected by Voluntary Prekindergarten. |
1a. The Coalition will continue to meet with
community partners to guide infant-toddler strategy and training plan to
improve quality of infant toddler care. 1b. Coalition will work
under leadership of Children’s Services Council to identify supports needed
by providers of Infant/Toddler care. 1c. Coalition will work
under leadership of the Children’s Services Council to explore developing
proposals to obtain funding and services to address the needs of infant/toddler
care providers. 1d. Coalition will participate in a strategic planning and discussion meeting
with community partners to discuss indicators of quality infant toddler care 2. Children’s Services Council will complete a survey of providers to determine if the implementation of Voluntary Prekindergarten had an impact on the provider’s decision to provide infant toddler care. |
1. Infant Toddler Specialist will provide training and technical assistance to at least 10% of providers who offer infant toddler care. 2. By June 30, 2008 the findings of the Voluntary Prekindergarten /infant/toddler impact study will be released for review and or appropriate recommendations for action. 3. By June 2009 recommendations from the findings will be implemented if necessary. 4. At least 90% of parents who respond to the survey regarding satisfaction with resource and re |