Documents posted at: QRIS 2014 Program Quality Improvement Grant Applicant Technical Assistance and Support Meetings April 2014 Wendy Valentine, M.Ed. Pam Roux Senior Director, CI and Early Education Partnerships Educator and Provider Support Project Manager, QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants Department of Early Education and United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley Care

Background Information QRIS is a method to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education and after-school settings EEC formally began developing its Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) during the spring of 2008 EEC fully implemented the Massachusetts QRIS in January 2011

Brain Building in Progress The work of the EEC is steeped in the notion that brain building is in progress for young children in enriching environments with caring adults and meaningful and engaging interactions. The latest science shows that these early experiences actually build the architecture of the developing brain; much like a house is built from the bottom up. We know that children's earliest experiences are especially important because building the human brain begins even before birth; a strong foundation in early years greatly increases the chance of positive outcomes. BBIP Website:

National QRIS Implementation

EEC and United Way The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and have partnered together to support and strengthen the capacity of early education and out of school time program leaders to identify, prioritize, and implement improvements that move them forward in the state’s Quality Rating Improvement System This grant application’s purpose is to provide QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants to all eligible programs/educators in the mixed delivery system to make program improvements, in pursuit of upward progress on the levels defined in the QRIS system

Goals QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant is intended to offer funding to support programs to advance towards a higher level on the QRIS system Support programs/educators to engage in a process of continuous quality improvement Enhance outcomes for all children in Massachusetts, especially those populations most at risk

Funding Funds Type: Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge Grant (RTTT-ELCG) Funds Source: Federal Fund use for this initiative must be aligned directly with the purchase resources that will allow an educator/program to advance on the QRIS system All funds from this grant must be expended, and products/services received by grantees, by December 1, 2014

Changes in 2014 Grant Cycle Changes based on emerging research, past data, and feedback from the field Single round of grants in 2014 Two grant phases - Program Planning and Durable Goods Up to two grant awards per grantee Development of Program Improvement Plan Addition of Technical Assistance Providers Durable Goods are prepaid – no reimbursement Administrative Overhead available for all grantees

Phase One Program Improvement Planning Grantee Technical Assistance and Resource Conference Program Improvement Plan Developed with Ongoing Technical Assistance Support Program Improvement Plan Submitted and Approved Request for Reimbursement Submitted and Outcomes Reporting on Phase One

Phase Two Program Improvement Plan Implementation Durable Goods Selected by Grantee Durable Goods Shipped by Vendor and Received by Program/Provider Program Improvement Plan Implemented Outcomes Reporting on Phase Two

Eligible Grant Applicants Be part of EEC’s mixed delivery system Currently be serving at least one child receiving financial assistance as of April 15, 2014 Submit a final self-assessed QRIS level 1, 2, 3, or 4 application For EEC-licensed programs: License must be in good standing with EEC Be in good fiscal standing with the Commonwealth Programs must complete all grant submission requirements including: – Complete online grant application by – Submit required documents by mail by

Eligible Grant Applicants (cont.) Programs/providers must demonstrate current use of Environment Rating Scale (ERS) Tools Participation in the Grantee Technical Assistance and Resource Conference Submit a final self-assessed QRIS level 1, 2, 3, or 4 application Programs must complete all grant submission requirements including: – Complete online grant application and submit required documents by

QRIS Participation Programs applying for grant funding are required to participate in the Massachusetts QRIS Required to submit a printed copy of their Program Improvement Plan and copy of the program’s QRIS Summary of Application Profile from the online QRIS showing self-assessed level, QRIS number, and status as “Final-Submitted to EEC” with this grant application. Programs that do not complete a self-assessment and assign a rating under the QRIS Standards prior to April 15, 2014 will not be eligible for grant funding under this grant opportunity

Environment Rating Scale (ERS) Programs must demonstrate current use of ERS Tools – Submit a copy of a recent ERS Tool Scoring Sheet documenting use of the ECERS-R, ITERS- R, FCCERS-R, or SACERS in the program for each classroom. – The ERS observation may be done for self- assessment purposes; a Scoring Sheet completed by a Reliable Rater is not required to be eligible for this grant opportunity.

Grantee Technical Assistance and Resource Conference – Will take place on June 13, 2014 and again on June 14, 2014 in Fitchburg, MA – Participation in one day of the Conference is mandatory for all grant recipients – For each grant awarded, one program/educator who works directly in the program must attend the conference – One representative from each Family Child Care System may participate, but is not required – Programs/educators who do not participate in the mandatory conference will not receive grant funding

Grantee Technical Assistance and Resource Conference (cont.) – Detailed information regarding the Program Improvement Plan requirements, reimbursement for Program Planning grants, and technical assistance support will be provided to grantees at this event – Grantees will be asked to provide their choice of day preference to those requiring accommodation or with a documented hardship – Family Child Care providers may request participation in the Saturday conference – Translation services will be available for conference participants

Program Planning Funding A program/educator that serves 20 children or less will be eligible for up to $1,500 A program that serves 21 children or more will be eligible for up to $2,500 A program that serves 100 children or more will be eligible for up to $3,500 The number used to determine eligibility is the number of currently enrolled children as of April 15, 2014, not the licensed capacity

Program Planning Reimbursement All Program Planning funds awarded to a program/educator will be paid on a reimbursement basis If an applicant is approved for funding, the program/educator must purchase the services and, after receiving the services or goods, submit evidence of their out-of-pocket expenses for reimbursement Educators/programs are encouraged to request reimbursement in a timely manner as soon as funds are fully expended Only one request for reimbursement may be submitted

Durable Goods Funding A program/educator that serves 20 children or less will be eligible for goods valued at up to $3,000 A program that serves children will be eligible for goods valued at up to $5,000 A program that serves 100 children or more will be eligible for goods valued at up to $7,000 The number used to determine eligibility is the number of currently enrolled children as of April 15, 2014, not the licensed capacity

Funding Allocation Submission of an application does not guarantee that your program will be awarded a grant Proposals will be accepted for consideration beginning and reviewed on an ongoing basis; no proposal for this round of funding will be accepted after 4:00 p.m. on Proposals for funding that meet all the grant eligibility requirements will be evaluated United Way, in collaboration with EEC, will ensure funding is allocated in a manner which ensures diversity in terms of geographic and program/educator type representation to the extent possible based on the applications received

Online Grant Application The online grant application will open on or about Programs are asked to: 1.Provide program and financial information 2.Propose Program Planning expenditures 3.Identify how funding will be used to support development of a Program Improvement Plan 4.Request funds for Program Planning expenditures and Administrative Overhead Access online grant application:

Timeline 4-10 to Applicant Technical Assistance and Support Meetings Online Grant Application Opens All Questions must be submitted in writing by this date Grant Application Closes List of Grant Recipients Posted 6-13 to Grantee Technical Assistance and Resource Conference 6-12 to Program Improvement Plans Developed and Submitted Phase One - Final Outcomes and Measures Form Due 8-8 to Program Improvement Plans Verified by TA Specialists All goods and services purchased by grantees with these grant funds must be received and accepted by this date Phase Two - Final Outcomes and Measures Form Due

Submission Instructions at is the deadline for submission of documents at 4:00 pm is the deadline for completion of online grant application Grant application must be completed online Submit signed copies of required documents by mail as directed in the Grant Solicitation Applicants who do not complete the online grant application and submit documentation will not be considered for funding

Required Application Forms Must be mailed and postmarked by : – Grant Application Document Cover Page – Commonwealth Terms & Conditions – W-9 with DUNS # – Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing – Executive Order 504 Certification – Grant Disbursement Authorization – Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act – RTTT Certification Regarding Lobbying – Copy of ERS Tool Scoring Sheet(s) – Copy of Scoring Sheet(s) from Additional QRIS Measurement Tools(s) (only if applicable) – QRIS Summary of Application Profile – Detailed Schedule Form Documents posted at:

Required Forms for Family Child Care Systems Must be mailed and postmarked by : – Family Child Care System Document Cover Page – Provider Consent Form (one per each affiliated grant application) – Commonwealth Terms & Conditions – W-9 with DUNS # – Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing – Executive Order 504 Certification – Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act – RTTT Certification Regarding Lobbying Documents posted at:

Resources Key Contacts Documents posted at: Grant Application - questions may be directed to for inclusion in the Question and Answer Documents Online Grant Application – for technical questions use the help function within the application; additional questions may be directed to EEC QRIS Program Manager – access the Program Manager at technical questions about the on-line QRIS application and self- assessment may be directed to your EEC Regional QRIS Contact (listed below)

Regional QRIS contacts

Questions? Thank you for participating in this Applicant Technical Assistance and Support Meeting Documents posted at: