March 2011

School Readiness Announcements

Upcoming Events

• March 4th - The Children's Movement of Florida Webinar
• March 19th- SUMMER'S COMING (And Fall's Not Far Behind!)  School Age Workshop
• March 19th -Annual Inclusion Conference - Sensory Solutions in the Classroom
• April 2nd- Step Up Scholarship Applcations Due

School Readiness Provider Spotlight
Cynthia Sumter

When Cynthia received a score on a recent Program Review for School Readiness Providers that she did not desire, she immediately decided to make changes to improve her large family child care home program.

Cynthia and her assistant teacher Lethia decided to take action on her home environment by setting up learning activity areas. She was utilizing two main areas of her home for free choice activities; however, the children were staying in one area where limited centers were available and open. She combined dramatic play, science and math areas and some fine motor materials then moved them from her living room to her larger learning area. By doing so, she more likely will be able to receive a higher score for all activities being accessible for much of the day the next time a Program Review is administered. She stated that this change has made her daily schedule more workable for her children and herself.

Congratulations to Cynthia and Lethia for their positive attitude and making changes to better their large family childcare home! We give this provider and her assistant a “thumbs up”!

Ages and Stages Questionaire-3

All children enrolled in the School Readiness Program are required to receive regular developmental screenings using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire or “ASQ”.

The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas manages the schedule for these screenings for every child in the School Readiness Program. Children ages birth to 3 receive the screenings 2 times a year and children ages 3-5 receive a screening 1 time a year on their birthday. Screenings can also be requested in between those times by a parent or provider by calling the Developmental Services Department at: 727-548-1439 ext 251.

The state of Florida has purchased an online ASQ database for all Coalitions to use to complete the ASQ. In Pinellas County, we have been practicing the use of the online ASQ database with some providers and have found it to be very efficient, easy to use, and accurate. It also gives the provider the result of the screening immediately with a report to print out and use in their educational planning. This is a great way for early learning educators to see how their children are developing and what skill areas they need to help them build.

We will continue to mail out the ASQ’s to providers throughout this year. The goal of the state is to have every child care provider complete ASQ’s using the online system by July of 2012. That means you must have access to a reliable computer and the internet. The training for the ASQ online system is extremely easy and can be done at your site or over the phone with us.

If you are interested in learning more about the online database, you can see a sample of it and complete an online “practice run” by visiting: www.agesandstages.com. Click on the “ASQ Online Products Are Here!” tab and the “See It In Action” link to practice.

We will be asking providers to “phase in” use of the online ASQ database throughout the coming year, but everyone will have to be using it by July of 2012. If you want more information, please call us at the number listed above. Thank you from the Developmental Services Department of the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, Inc.

Foster Parents Caring for Foster Children

The Agency for Workforce Innovation has provided clarification regarding the practice of foster parents receiving School Readiness funding for foster children in thier care. This is a change and could impact some providers.

Family child care homes, children of the owner/director would not be eligible for a CCDF subsidy to receive care from the parent in the child’s home.  CCDF does not pay for parental care. Therefore, applying the definition of “parent”, foster parents would not be reimbursed for care provided to their foster children in their own home.

AWI interpreted “parent” and “parental care” to include guardians, foster parents, and in loco parentis. The State of Florida defines in loco parentis as:

Acting as the temporary guardian of a child. For example, individuals standing in loco parentis include individuals who have taken on the legal responsibility of a parent or who are acting as the primary caregiver of a child.  Specific examples include foster parents, court-appointed guardians, stepparents, residential institutions, and individuals without legally assigned rights who care for, educate, and financially support a child.

Child Care Liability Insurance

March 8^th is right around the corner! This is an important date for child care liability insurance as many of you already know. If your child care liability insurance policy is due to be renewed on March 8, 2011 or after, you are required to renew your policy with the amount of coverage at $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate and you must also list the Early Learning Coalition as an additional insured.

Providers are required to ensure that the Coalition has proof of insurance via a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) on file with the Coalition at all times. If the Certificate of Insurance on file expires, you will have a maximum of 10 days from the date of expiration in which to provide a current COI. On day 1 of that 10 day period we will notify you and your parents that you are not in compliance. Reimbursement for School Readiness services will cease until you are back in compliance or the 10 day period expires. If you do not provide a current, valid Certificate of Insurance before close of business on the 10^th day, your Agreement to provide School Readiness services will be terminated for 1 year.  The School Readiness Compliance Policy which outlines this requirement and other Coalition requirements can be found on the Coalition website at www.elcpinellas.net.

Many of you have called the Coalition with questions about these requirements. Below are some frequently asked questions:

Why do I have to add the Coalition as an additional insured?
These requirements, including adding the Coalition as an additional insured, are in place based on the Coalition’s grant requirements with the Agency for Workforce Innovation. The Early Learning Coalition Board of Directors approved this policy on November 4, 2011 requiring that child care providers who are under Agreement with the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County to provide School Readiness services meet these requirements for coverage amounts and “additional insured” at their next policy renewal effective March 8^th or after, whichever is later. By adding the Coalition as an additional insured, you are not insuring the Coalition or its employees. The Coalition maintains liability insurance on its employees.

Can the Coalition help pay for the cost of this insurance?
The Coalition can not pay for provider insurance per the Agency for Workforce Innovation. Providers must have and maintain child care liability insurance at all times and the expense of this requirement is part of the provider’s decision to contract with the Coalition to provide School Readiness services.

If you have questions about this information or any notices you receive regarding child care liability insurance, please contact the Quality Assurance Department at 548-1439 x223.

Notification Requirements

Providers must meet notification requirements outlined in the School Readiness Provider Agreement in order to maintain compliance with the Provider Agreement. Certain changes by the provider may void the existing Provider Agreement and require execution of a new Agreement to remain eligible for School Readiness funding. Agreements are not effective prior to the date of the final signature.

Change in Owner or Physical Location
These changes require execution of a new School Readiness Agreement. You are required to notify the Coalition at least 10 days in advance to ensure there is no disruption in payment.

Change In Conact Information or Director
These changes require notification 10 days before the change occurs.

Unusual Incidents
Providers must notify the Coalition of any Child Care Licensing fines or unusual incidents verbally within one (1) hour and in writing within three (3) business days. Unusual incidents must be documented on the Unusual Incident Form or PCLB Accident/Incident Record.

Please refer to the School Readiness Compliance Policy for Child Care Centers and Licensed Family Child Care Homes (ELCPC-61.2.1) for more detail on the required documentation that must be submitted for changes.