Documents posted at QRIS 2011 Program Quality Improvement Grant RFP Bidder’s Conferences February & March 2011 Wendy Valentine Director, Community Impact United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley

Documents posted at Background Information EEC formally began developing its Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) during the spring of 2008 QRIS is a method to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education and after-school settings Massachusetts has developed a QRIS that was piloted in and supported by a first round of Program Quality Improvement Grants Revised QRIS Standards issued on 12/14/2010

Together for Quality Initiative (T4Q) Goal is to advance the state’s new QRIS by supporting programs to engage in focused activities that enhance the quality of education for children across the Commonwealth QRIS 2011 Program Quality Improvement Grant Training, Grant Administration, and Coaching T4Q Partners – Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) – Wheelock College – United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley – Community Advocates for Young Learners (CAYL) Institute

Documents posted at 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

Documents posted at Eligible Bidders All programs in EEC’s mixed delivery system Priority will be given to – any EEC licensed educator/program that was serving at least one child receiving financial assistance on December 1, 2010 – any non-licensable or EEC license-exempt educator/program that attests to meeting EEC licensing requirements and that was serving at least one child receiving financial assistance on December 1, 2010 Programs must be at a self-assessed QRIS level 1, 2 or 3 to be eligible to apply QRIS level 4 programs are not eligible to apply for funding Programs that received funding in the last round of QRIS Quality Improvement Grants are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity Programs must be in good fiscal standing with the state

Documents posted at 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 Summary Page 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 Revised QRIS Standards prior to March 21, 2011 will not be eligible for grant funding under this RFP QRIS ratings assessed under previous versions of the QRIS Standards, including ratings given as part of the 2010 QRIS Pilot, may not be utilized to create Program Improvement Plans for purposes of this RFP, because the standards have been updated

Documents posted at PQR Participation Programs applying for grant funding are required to participate in the Massachusetts Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR) per EEC Licensing Regulations All educators in the program will need to be listed on the registry Access the PQR at

Documents posted at Required Training Will offer insight and best practices for advancing a program’s quality on the QRIS system Programs applying for grant funding are required to participate in 16 hours of training over two days Provided in a series of two free trainings offered by the Community Advocates for Young Learners (CAYL) Institute Programs that do not participate in these trainings prior to April 1, 2011 will not be eligible for grant funding under this RFP

Documents posted at Training Content Day One – overview of the QRIS Grant Process – vision and goals and their connection to program quality – a review of QRIS Standards – planning and implementing a program self-assessment process leading to a program improvement plan Day Two – required measurement and observation tools – choosing developmentally appropriate equipment and materials – planning and choosing comprehensive professional development opportunities for staff Anticipated Outcome – Work completed over two days of training will result in long and short-term goals for QRIS advancement

Documents posted at Funding $2,820,000 of Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) quality funds received by the Commonwealth, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 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 July 31, 2011

Documents posted at Funding Allocation Geographic diversity (EEC Regions) Program/educator type representation (Family Child Care, After School and Out-of-School Time, and Center/School Based) Prioritizing programs where 50% or more of the children are receiving EEC financial assistance Grants will be site specific (not classroom specific) Scored based on identified criteria (RFP pg.8-9)

Documents posted at T4Q Field Coaching Opportunity Programs that apply for and receive grant funding will be eligible to participate in a T4Q Field Coach Program that has been developed by Wheelock College Programs that are selected will receive four months of high quality coaching to help advance a level on the QRIS at no cost to the program Interested programs will be asked to provide additional information as part of the online grant application process Selection of sites to receive coaching will be part of the grant proposal review process A limited number of programs, approximately 130, will be selected for participation Additional information about this coaching opportunity is available at:

Documents posted at Online Grant Application The online grant application will open on February 25, 2011 Programs will be asked to: 1.Provide program and financial information 2.Identify program needs linked to QRIS self assessment and standards 3.Propose purchases or expenditures 4.Identify plan for implementation 5.Request funds for purchases or expenditures

Documents posted at Timeline February 17, 2011First Q&A document posted February 25, 2011Online Grant Application Opens March 15, 2011Questions submitted in writing by this date will be answered in the final Q&A document March 21, 2011 QRIS Online Self Assessment Completion Deadline for Grant Applicants March 28, 2011Final Q&A document posted (Estimated) April 1, 2011 QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant Proposal Deadline April 1-21, 2011QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant Applications Reviewed April 22, 2011Grantees Selected and Notified (estimated) July 31, 2011All goods and services purchased by grantees with grant funds must be received and accepted on or before July 31, 2011 July 31, 2011 Final Financial & Outcomes and Measures Form completed online

Documents posted at Submission Instructions April 1, 2011 at 4:00 pm is the deadline for submission of documents and completion of online grant application Grant application must be completed online Submit signed copies of required documents as directed in the online application Applicants who do not complete the online grant application will not be considered for funding

Documents posted at Required Forms QRIS Program Improvement Plan & Summary Page Professional Qualifications Registry Summary Page A signed Commonwealth Terms & Conditions Form W-9 with DUNS # Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Executive Order 504 Certification

Documents posted at Contact Information RFP - questions may be directed to for Q&A Online Grant Application – technical questions may be directed to Required Training – technical questions on registration may be directed to EEC QRIS Program Manager - technical questions about the on-line QRIS application and self- assessment may be directed to

Documents posted at Reminders RFP and related documents posted at: Final Q&A document posted on or around March 28, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. on Incomplete submissions will not be evaluated

Documents posted at Questions? Thank you for participating in the Bidder’s Conference