Collaboration Between 619 and Delaware Stars

Verna Thompson and Rena Hallam

Agenda

History and Context for Delaware Stars 619 Engagement in QRISConsiderations and Lessons Learned

History and Context for DE Stars QRIS

2007 Test Pilot for DE Stars QRIS 619 Coordinator on QRIS Advisory Committee Children with Special Needs - Separate DE Stars

component 2011

Governor Markell provides $22 million surplus Funded -Delaware Stars QRIS Tiered Reimbursement for Programs in Higher Tiers

2012 Delaware receives Race to the Top Early Learning

Challenge Grant 49% Funds - DE Stars QRIS

Tiered Reimbursement Education Enhancements - Staff

Delaware’s application is built around two key goals:• To accelerate advancement of the state’s system of supports and services for

young children and their families; and• To enhance current practice for Delaware to become an outstanding national

model

Delaware’s RTT ELC Application Strategy

12% of funds requested

49% of funds requested

28% of funds requested

8% of funds requested

Note: 2% of funds requested are for staff support and 1% for required technical assistance.

Strengthening Stars High Quality Programs“Stars … will be aggressively promoted as a unified framework for quality and vehicle for improvement, to be adopted and understood by programs, educators, and families.” – DE RTT-ELC Application

Key ActivitiesStars tiered reimbursementStars measurement and evaluationTechnical assistance and supportPurchase of care enhancementsFamily engagement

Number of Programs Participation in Stars by Rating

5

Significant Goals•Drastically increase participation in Stars

• 100% of licensed centers, ECAP, Head Start• 45% of family child care providers• 50% Part B Section 619 and Title I

•Create POC efficiencies•Increase family awareness of Stars and the importance of program quality

(2015)

Strengthen Stars High Quality Programs

Delaware Stars QRISFive Quality Tiers

Tier 1 – OCCL LicenseTier 5 – Highest Level of Quality

Four Dimensions (Inclusion is embedded in all) Learning EnvironmentsFamily and Community PartnershipsProfessional Development and QualificationsManagement and Administration

Redesign of Delaware Stars

Structural Change from Building Blocks to a Points/Hybrid System

Modify SLD 1 as an induction phase – “Commitment to Quality”

Emphasis on stakeholder involvement and systems change

Reconceptualize standards and practice to build on and integrate with the existing state structure

Reinvigorate technical assistance with a strengths-based, relationship-based model

7

Redesign of Delaware Stars

Stars Management Team Focus – Engage more programs in Stars Use a strengths-based approach to quality

improvement Target programs serving high needs children and

their families

8

Comparative Participation Rates

2010 and 2012

9

Comparative Star Level Distribution

10

619 Engagement in QRIS

DE Stars Standards Inclusion indicator included in each component Will lead to improved quality settings for

children with disabilities619 Program Participation in DE Stars

Developing 619 Procedures Manual – aligning standards with DE Stars

Will lead to clearly defined procedures for 619 programs in DE

Will lead to improved inclusive settings for 619 programs

Partnership Between Delaware Stars and 619 Programs

Strategies to build coordinated PD system 619 on Professional Development CommitteeEIEIO – Expanding Inclusive Early Intervention

Opportunities Committee Developed Inclusion Certificate for Early

Childhood Integrated PD Work Group with Part C and 619 Information sharing on Delaware Stars Quality

Standards Information sharing on special education topicsWork together on special PD projects

Early Care & Education Center Standards 100 Points Domain: Family and Community Partnerships Maximum 20 points Rationale: Family involvement and reciprocal family-provider relationships are fundamental to high quality early care and

education services. This dimension of practice emphasizes ongoing, bi-directional communication between families and programs. Meaningful family engagement in early care and education programs requires attention and sensitivity to the needs of all families. Further, collaboration between child care programs and schools/other agencies assists programs in accessing resources to meet the needs of young children and their families.

Categories: Communication (FC), Involvement & Support (FS), Community Partnerships (FP) Code Standard Points

FC1 Maximum 2 points Program welcomes all children and their families with procedures that embrace inclusion and diversity.

2 points FC2 Maximum 4 points Each classroom provides regular written correspondence with families. For classrooms with children predominately 0-36 months, correspondence is individualized and provided daily For classrooms with children predominately 37 months and older, correspondence can be group and weekly 4 points FC3 Maximum 1 point Program conducts conferences with families at least twice annually. 1 point FS1 Maximum 4 points Program makes accommodations for families of children with identified disabilities or who are dual language

learners. Accommodations for families of children with identified disabilities Accommodations for families of children who are dual language learners 2 points 2 points

Crosswalk between Delaware Stars and 619

Code Stars Standards 619 Program Standards Points FC1 Maximum 2 points

Program welcomes all children and their families with procedures that embrace inclusion and diversity.

2 points

FC2 Maximum 4 points

Each classroom provides regular written correspondence with families.

For classrooms with children predominately 0-36 months, correspondence is individualized and provided daily

For classrooms with children predominately 37 months and older, correspondence can be group and weekly

4 points

FC3 Maximum 1 point

Program conducts conferences with families at least twice annually.

1 point

FS1 Maximum 4 points

Program makes accommodations for families of children with identified disabilities or who are dual language learners.

Accommodations for families of children with identified disabilities

Accommodations for families of children who are dual language learners

2 points

2 points

FS2 Maximum 2 points

Program systematically gathers information from families and uses data to inform program planning annually.

2 points

Partnerships Between DE Stars and 619619 Coordinator

Involved in DE Stars development On DE Stars Management Team

619 QRIS Work Group Developed DE Stars/619 crosswalk Working on 619 Procedures Manual

619 Programs working with community programs Collecting information on where children are

enrolled Increasing Family Awareness of DE Stars Encouraging community EC programs to enroll in DE

Stars Working with DE Stars TA’s to provide support

Considerations Licensing Requirements

DE Stars Programs required to be licensed 619 School district programs are licensing-exempt Licensed exempt programs not entitled to grants, tiered

reimbursements DE Stars standards

Designed for Center-based programs Itinerant programs? Standards designed for regular education programs

including children with special needs 619 Procedures Manual being developed

Developing Quality Standards aligned to Stars Quality standards for inclusive 619 programs

Inclusion Certificate for EC staff PD to lead to skill development of EC staff

Considerations

Difficulties619 Present Participation in DE Stars

No rating for programs this year 619/Stars Work Group Formed to develop Alignment

document (Procedures Manual) Goal – to lead to quality inclusive 619 programs

ERS Assessment – standard for DE Stars Accommodations needed for 619 programs

ConsiderationsChallenges leading to working partnerships

between DE Stars and 619