Child Care Advisory Council Meeting
July 20, 2022
Welcome!
If you are a Council member, please introduce yourself by typing the following into the chat:
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- Role
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REMINDER: OMA Training is now available!
ALL Council members must register to access the training.
https://foiapac.ilag.gov/
Allison Perkins Caldwell
Ann Grecek
Ayesha Calhoun
Brenda Eastham
Brynn Siebert
Carie Bires
Carisa Hurley
Casey Craft-Cortes
Cerathel Burgess-Burnett
Charles Montorio Archer
Chris Tokarski
Curtis Peace
Dan Harris
Edie Washington
Jamilah R. Jor`dan
Jenna Kelly
Karen Ross-Williams
Lauri Morrison Frichtl
Laurie Rhodes
Leslie Cully
Lori Longueville
Marcy Mendenhall
Maricela Garcia
Mykela Collins
Nina Duenas
Ruth Kimble
Sandra Cole
Shauna Ejeh
Stacie Ealey
Tamera Fair
Teri Talen
Tina Staley
Tracy Carls
Vanessa Castro
Vicki Hodges
Virtual Meeting Etiquette
- Please remember to stay on mute if you are not speaking.
- Please feel welcome to turn on your video!
- We recommend dialing in via phone and connecting your phone to your video to avoid internet connectivity issues.
- Send a private chat to Lanette Woodard if you are having technical difficulties.
- Make sure your Zoom name is your own.
- There will be time for comments from the public at the end of the meeting.
Agenda
- 1:00 - 2:45 pm Full Council
- Welcome and Introductions
- Approval of minutes
- IDHS Updates
- DEC revised Mission and Vision
- Child Care Assistance Program policy changes effective 7.1.22
- Narrow Cost Analysis
Strengthen and Grow Child Care grant program discussion
Bureau of Collaboration and Partnerships Presentation
- 2:45-3:00 pm Break
- 3:00 - 3:40pm Committees
- 3:40 - 3:55pm Regroup and Discussion
- 3:55 - 4:00pm Public Comment
Welcome and Introductions
Approval of Minutes
Mission, Vision, Values
Vision & Mission
VISION
Illinois' pregnant persons, young children and families have the supports they need to achieve their full potential
MISSION
DEC enhances equitable access to child care, home visiting, and early intervention programs and services that support whole child development
North Star Aspiration
The Division of Early Childhood equips pregnant persons, young children and families with the supports they need to achieve their full potential by providing equitable access to whole child development through child care, home visiting, and early intervention programs and services
Child Care Assistance Program Policy Changes Effective 7.1.22
Mike Garner-Jones
Interim Bureau Chief of Subsidy Management
Provider Rate Increase
- Home provider 3.5% increase
- Center Providers 3.5% increase, rounded up to next full dollar report
- CCMS to update all July 1 rates to new max as in years past
- Insert in July certificates:
- Rate increase memo
- Revised 444-4343 Payment Rates for Child Care Providers Chart
- Rate Certification Form
Income Guidelines
- Index family and copays to the 2022 FPL/SMIeligibility guidelines
- Increase entrance eligibility from 200% to 225% FPL
- Increase exit at redetermination from 250% to 275% FPL
Income Guidelines
Initial Activity Search
* Continue 3-month Initial Activity Search (IAS) approvals through 12/31/22
Education Activities
- Eligible as of July 1
- Web-based courses
- Correspondence learning from an accredited university
- Same requirements and documentation as current in-person policy
Protective Services
- Expand protect services to include:
- Families with either parent deployed for active military duty
- Teen parents who are wards of the state
- Families receiving extended family services program supports through IDCFS
- Cases will have "universal" eligibility:
- No income limits
- No activity requirements
- No copayment
- Eliminate copays for families experiencing homelessness
Lower copays to $1 for families working in child care
- Monthly copays are being reduced to $1 for CCAP-eligible families with a parent or guardian working in child care.
- any position for a licensed or license-exempt child care center or home
- There is no required form to make this request.
- Copayment changes will be effective the month following re-assessment.
Application Revisions
- The draft Application (and corresponding Redetermination) has been revised based on results from the pilot.
- Additional changes needed due to 7/1 policy changes.
- The Request for Additional Information form is also being revised at this time for implementation in the Fall.
Provider Health and Safety Training Requirements
- New Providers must complete all orientation trainings within 90 days of being approved on a new case
- Close-out of all cases if not completed by the end of the third month of eligibility
- Close out date will be the last day of the month the 90th day falls in
- Can be re-instated as of training completion date in DTP
Provider Health and Safety Training Requirements
- Legacy Providers must complete orientation requirements by September 30, 2022.
- Providers who fail to complete training will be closed out of cases as they are redetermined and not be approved for new cases.
Provider Health and Safety Training Requirements
- 2nd Special Mailing in July to all current license-exempt center and home providers by provider type will include a reminder notice and checklist.
- Notices for new providers:
- Initial notice
- 45-day reminder notice
- 30-day reminder notice
- Provider Close-out
Thank You!
Q&A
Narrow Cost Analysis
Update and Findings from the FY22 Narrow Cost Analysis
Goals for Today's Discussion
- Revisit the purpose, requirements, and flexibilities of the Narrow Cost Analysis ("NCA")
- Revisit approach for major cost input assumptions
- Share implications and findings from the FY22 Narrow Cost Analysis
- Field questions and reactions to approach and findings
Purpose
The purpose of the NCA is to provide additional information for states to consider when setting payment rates, but states should determine how much weight to assign these results in the rate-setting process
"While we do not expect Lead Agencies in all cases to immediately set rates to cover the full cost to provide care, we expect Lead Agencies to use information from their cost analyses…. to evaluate the gap between costs and payment rates as part of their strategic, long-term approach to setting rates that support equal access."
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Source: Program Instruction CCDF-ACF-PI-2018-04
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ/policy-guidance/ccdf-acf-pi-2018-01
Requirements
1. Determine providers' cost of care across varying levels of "quality":
- Base Quality - implementation of health safety, quality, and staffing requirements
- Higher Quality - the cost of higher-quality care, as defined by the Lead Agency
2. Determine providers' cost of care across relevant variation by:
- geographic location,
- category of provider,
- age of child
3. Report submitted to the Feds by June 30
Source: Program Instruction CCDF-ACF-PI-2018-04
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ/policy-guidance/ccdf-acf-pi-2018-01
Flexibilities
- States should determine how much weight to assign these results in the rate-setting process
- Advance ACF approval is not required
- States have significant flexibility in determining approach and methodology
- Use information from existing studies
- Develop a cost model using the PCQC
- Conduct a limited cost survey or study
- Examine cost differentials for higher-quality care
- Use information from market rate survey data
The NCA estimates the current cost of what is required
The NCA estimates the current costs that providers incur today to meet what is required through child care licensing standards and by ExceleRate Illinois Circle of Quality as it is implemented today
It is not an analysis of the cost of all services that providers may provide (or that children may need) above and beyond licensing standards or the costs associated with services in an adequate system
Approaches to major assumptions (summary)
The report shares estimated FY22 total costs per classroom for Child Care Centers
Example
Geography Group IA - Centers: Total Per-Classroom Costs
Note: Costs assume FY22 wages, as included in the report, before the July 2022 Chicago minimum wage increase.
The report shares estimated FY22 total costs per program for FCC Homes and FCC Group Homes
Example
FCC Homes: Total Per-Program Costs
Note: Costs assume FY22 wages, as included in the report, before the July 2022 Chicago minimum wage increase.
Comparing daily per-child costs to CCAP subsidy rates
Depending on setting, age group, geography, and quality tier, we see that in some cases CCAP subsidy rates equal or exceed estimated current costs, and in other cases CCAP rates are below estimated current costs.
Particularly for Centers, we see that subsidy rates are approaching costs, and for many subgroups of children, subsidy rates exceed costs.
Notes:
- Given the wide variety of provider models and differences in provider experience across the State, this analysis must be considered a directional and "narrow" cost analysis.
- Modeled inputs and cost output are for a theoretical provider, meant to represent the average provider experience across the State
- Programs across the State experience staffing models and varying levels of enrollment as a percentage of capacity
- Most programs don't allocate budgets per child, since a teacher has to teach a group of kids regardless of how many
- Subsequent slides compare July 2022 CCAP subsidy rates to estimated July 2022 daily per-child costs. July 2022 costs are different from what is included in the FY22 NCA, as they incorporate wage increases for Geography Group IA in line with the July 2022 Chicago minimum wage increase.
Where do we go from here?
- Market Rate Survey
- Salary & Staffing Survey
- Narrow Cost Analysis
- Early Childhood Funding Commission Adequacy Model
- Findings from CCRG and SGCC programs
Approach to rate setting
Thank You!
Q&A
Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grant
Chelsea Guillen
Bureau Chief, Quality Initiatives
IDHS has invested nearly $1B in federal relief funds to stabilize Illinois child care
Percentage of Federal Relief Funds spent on Child Care Grants
The vast majority of estimated eligible providers applied for SGCC Round 1
In Round 1, $39 million was distributed to 3,255 licensed child care programs.
The Child Care Restoration Grant successfully kept child care providers' doors open during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the 2,000+ child care providers who received Child Care Restoration Grants in 2020, 97.9% were still open at the end of 2021.
Because of the 2020-2021 Child Care Restoration Grant, child care business turnover decreased during the height of the pandemic.
Where to go from here
As we consider the future of these supports, we'd like to know:
- What are you hearing from providers about this funding?
- Is the application process working?
- What have you heard about how providers are using the funds?
- Any concerns you've heard about preparations for reporting?
- What are you hearing from the field about ongoing needs?
Bureau of Collaboration and Partnerships
Kisha D. Davis
Interim Bureau Chief
Organizational Chart
* Division of Early Childhood
Kirstin Chernawsky, Director
Bethany Patten, Assoc. Director
* Bureau of Collaboration and Partnerships
Kisha D. Davis, Interim Bureau Chief
* Administrative Assistant
(Vacant)
* All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks (AOK Networks)
Ana Maria Accove, Administrative Assistant
* Birth to 5 Illinois
(Vacant)
* Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant
Lori Orr, State Administrator
* Illinois Head Start State Collaboration Office
Wendy Williams, Director
* Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
(Vacant)
Overview
- The Bureau of Collaboration and Partnerships was established in January of 2022.
- BCP will plan, organize, direct, and monitor the completion of extensive quantitative and qualitative research (including field work/studies).
- BCP will gather information from stakeholders through focus group discussions, town-hall meetings, and/or one-on-one interviews.
- To successfully achieve the mission and vision of BCP, program staff will collaborate with internal and external entities.
BCP Programs
AOK Networks work to promote healthy pregnancies and the growth and development of all children birth to five and their parents/caregivers by assuring a well-coordinated, easily accessible, equitable and just system of services and supports that engages parents as partners in making the system work for them.
Birth to Five is represented across all 39 regions within the state of Illinois. Each region will be home to an action council and a family council. Each council will be used as a mechanism to engage local stakeholders, gather family opinion, conduct a Regional Scan, and create a plan that clearly identifies the need for expansion of quality early learning in each specific region.
ECCS Grant work to build integrated maternal and early childhood systems of care that are equitable, sustainable, comprehensive, and inclusive of the health system, and that promote early developmental health and family well-being and increase family-centered access to care and engagement of the prenatal-to-3-year-old (P-3) population.
HSSCO is the point of contact for Head Start and collaboration to assist in building early childhood systems and access to comprehensive services for all low-income children, wile facilitating Head Start's involvement in state policies, plans, processes, and decisions affecting the Head Start target population.
I/ECMHC works to build integrated maternal and early childhood systems of care that are equitable, sustainable, comprehensive, and inclusive of the health system, and that promote early developmental health and family well-being and increase family-centered access to care and engagement of the prenatal-to-3-year-old (P-3) population.
Upcoming initiatives
- Enrollment Campaign
- Children with Special Needs
- Grant Language Alignment
BCP Programs
Bureau of Collaboration & Partnerships
Vision and Mission
Vision: Illinois families, providers, and stakeholders will have knowledge of + access to all DEC early childhood programs and services in their communities
Mission: BCP employs multiple communication channels and strategic partnerships to inform families, providers and stakeholders of all DEC early childhood programs and services that will facilitate equitable access - optimizing the reach and impact of these services within their communities
How BCP's Vision/Mission Align with DEC
Summarized DEC Vision (Broader Vision)
Illinois families have the supports they need to achieve their full potential
Summarized BCP Vision (Specific Focus)
Illinois families, providers, and stakeholders have knowledge of and access to available early childhood programs
Summarized DEC Mission (Broader Mission)
Enhance equitable access to services that support whole child development
Summarized BCP Mission (Specific Focus)
Employ communication channels & partnerships to maximize information dissemination and equitable access to families, providers and stakeholders
Bureau of Collaboration & Partnerships
Vision and Mission
Feedback Survey Questions
- Does the mission/vision address the current crisis early childhood systems are facing?
- Does the mission/vision align with DEC's mission/vision?
- Is the mission/vision attainable and sustainable?
- Are you ready to collaborate and partner with BCP!?
Stakeholder Engagement Feedback Requests
- DEC L Team
- 6.23.22 - feedback shared during call
- 6.30.22 - additional feedback deadline
- Birth to 5 Leadership (Dan H., Cicely F., Sonja C., Rebecca L.)
- 7.5.22 - feedback request sent over email
- 7.12.22 - feedback deadline
- IHSA Leadership (Lauri M. and Donna E.)
- 7.5.22 - feedback request sent over email
- 7.12.22 - feedback deadline
- DCFS Leadership: Licensing (Edie W.),
Foster Care (Douglas W. and Stacey M.)
- 7.5.22 - feedback request sent over email
- 7.12.22 - feedback deadline
- WIC (Stephanie B.)
- 7.5.22 - feedback request sent over email
- 7.12.22 - feedback deadline
- FCRC (Lesley C.)
- 7.5.22 - feedback request sent over email
- 7.12.22 - feedback deadline
- BUILD (Aisha R. and Gail N.)
- 7.5.22 - feedback request sent over email
- 7.12.22 - feedback deadline
- CCAC - scheduled
- 7.20.22 - feedback to be requested during call
- 7.27.22 - feedback deadline
- IAC/ELC - scheduled
- 7.21.22 - feedback to be requested during call
- 7.28.22 - feedback deadline
All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks
Ana Maria Accove, State Administrator
All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks (AOK Networks)
Funding Stream - State and Federal
Budget - 2.3 Million
Ages Served - Prenatal, Birth to 5
Goal(s)
- Ensure that babies are born healthy
- Ensure that children are safe, healthy and developing positively
- Ensure that children enter school ready to learn
Overview
AOK Networks are community-based collaborations that engage a diverse group of people who care about the health and well-being of expecting parents and children birth to 5 and their parents/caregivers.
Knowing that individual program efforts are not enough, AOK Network partners work together to connect and coordinate services across typical service sectors as they address current child and family priorities.
Each AOK Network engages in three types of initiatives which are informed by their local community assessment and planning process.
- Network Capacity
- System Improvement
- Child Family Outcome
Contact - Ana Maria Accove, State Administrator
anamariaaccove@ilinois.gov
Link to Additional Information
https://aoknetworks.org
Birth to 5 Illinois
(Vacant)
Birth to 5 Illinois
Funding Stream - State and Federal
Budget - 11.1M
Ages Served - Birth to 5
Goal(s)
- Ensure that input from families, providers, and the local ECEC workforce forms the basis of decision-making
- ECEC System Rebuild - addressing inequities in distribution of resources and services
- Racial Equity - addressing limited access to high quality services for children of color
Overview
MISSION
To create a statewide regional infrastructure that will amplify input from communities in the development of policies and funding priorities. We mobilize communities to build and sustain equitable access to inclusive, high-quality early childhood services for all children and families in the state of Illinois.
VISION
Reimagining a more equitable Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system that ensures family and community voice is centered and prioritized at every level of decision-making in Illinois.
VALUES
Family Voice & Racial Equity: Transformation centered on authentic family and community engagement
COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Birth to Five Illinois will build a system that harnesses knowledge directly from families and mobilizes decision-makers to ensure new and/or expanded services are created to meet community needs and directly influence policy/funding at the local, regional, and state level.
Contact - Kisha Davis, Bureau Chief
kisha.d.davis@ilinois.gov
Link to Additional Information
https://www.birthtofiveil.com
Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant
Lori Orr, State Administrator
Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant
Funding Stream - Federal
Budget - $255K
Ages Served - Prenatal - 3
Goal(s)
- Build integrated maternal and early childhood systems of care that:
- Are equitable, sustainable, comprehensive, and inclusive of the health system
- Promote early developmental health and family well-being
- Increase family-centered access to care
- Increase engagement of prenatal-to-3-year-old (P-3) families
Overview
- Enhance the P-3 statewide maternal and EC system of care by establishing a Universal Newborn Supports System (UNSS) that better connects moms and babies to programs and services.
- Work across state agencies to establish a clearly aligned and sustainable infrastructure to support a stronger and more efficient and effective P-3 system.
- Align policy, data and financing mechanisms to support and sustain a coordinated comprehensive P-3 system.
Contact - Lori Orr, State Administrator
lori.a.orr@ilinois.gov
Illinois Head Start State Collaboration Office
Wendy Williams, Director
Illinois Head Start State Collaboration Office
Funding Stream - State and Federal
Budget - $345K
Ages Served - 6 Weeks to 5
Goal(s)
- Partner with the state's early care and education system (ECES) in Illinois
- Actively collaborate with state, federal and community partners on HS/EHS/EHS-CCPs
Overview
The Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) is a federal-state partnership funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Head Start.
As the state point of contact for Head Start and collaboration, we assist in building early childhood systems and access to comprehensive services for all low-income children.
The Illinois HSSCO:
- Encourages widespread collaboration between Head Start and other appropriate programs, services and initiatives
- Augments Head Start's capacity to be a partner in state initiatives on behalf of children and families
- Facilitates Head Start's involvement in state policies, plans, processes, and decisions affecting the Head Start target population
This is accomplished by working with Head Start, state, federal and community stakeholders in the (5) federal priority areas of:
1. child care/education, 2. data systems, 3. expansion and access of high-quality workforce, 4. collaboration with quality rating systems, and 5. continuity with services with receiving schools.
The HSSCO provides education about Head Start, supplying resources and information to support state and local partnerships, while facilitating the development of statewide agreements.
Contact - Wendy Williams, Director
wendy.williams@illinois.gov
Link to Additional Information
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30356
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
(Vacant)
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
Funding Stream - State and Federal
Budget - $4.9M
Chaddock ($4.2M)
Community Coordinated Care ($93.7K)
Illinois Action for Children ($606K)
Ages Served - Birth - 13
Goal(s)
- Help child care providers recognize, understand, and respond to the social-emotional needs of children between the ages of birth to 5
- Create equitable and positive experiences for all infants and young children, including those from historically marginalized and oppressed communities
Overview
Early childhood education and care providers play a critical role in cultivating the social/emotional development of very young children, which is foundational and has a lifelong impact. Children and families connect with early childhood programs in different ways because each family's needs are unique. Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants (I/ECMHC) enhance the early childhood workforce's response to the evolving developmental needs of children.
Consultants partner with early childhood programs to build capacity in strengthening responsive learning and nurturing environments that include home, classroom, and other program settings. Consultation is primarily an indirect service that boosts the work of those directly involved in the support and education of very young children and their families. Consultants work along the promotion, prevention, and intervention continuum with activities across the spectrum.
Contact - Kisha Davis, Bureau Chief
kisha.d.davis@ilinois.gov
Link to Additional Information
https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/OECD/Pages/Illinois-Infant-Early-Childhood-Mental-Health-Consultation.aspx
Thank You!
Q&A
Break
Please return by 3:00pm
Committees
Regroup and Discussion
Public Comment
Thank You!
Next meeting:
September 18, 2022 from 1:00-4:00pm
