PREKINDERGARTEN AND CHILD CARE COORDINATION INITIATIVES
High-quality prekindergarten programs serve as building blocks for children’s education and help prepare young children for school. In some States, these programs have eligibility restrictions (such as income requirements or at-risk factors) to serve the populations most vulnerable and in need. Other States have used legislation to create a prekindergarten program for all children, regardless of income or other requirements, which is known as a universal Pre-K program. According to The State of Preschool 2013 from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), 41 States have prekindergarten programs, 28 percent of 4-year-olds and 4 percent of 3-year-olds were served in Pre-K programs (including special education services), and States spent a total of $5.4 billion on prekindergarten services in school year 2012 – 2013. To support prekindergarten services in the midst of budget cuts, States are coordinating services, funds, and efforts with other programs, such as child care, to support working families by offering comprehensive care for their children that is also high quality and supports children’s development. The following tables provide examples of prekindergarten and child care coordination initiatives, and highlight the income eligibility requirements, funding streams, and requirements for eligible providers for both programs. The first table provides examples of coordination initiatives in States where the Lead Agency is also responsible for implementing the state-funded prekindergarten program. The second table provides examples of coordination initiatives in States where separate entities are responsible for implementing the state-funded prekindergarten program and the child care program. Information for this document was gathered from the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plans for FY 2014 – 2015, State Web sites, the aforementioned NIEER publication available at http://nieer.org/sites/nieer/files/yearbook2013.pdf, and the Education Justice Web site at http://www.educationjustice.org/index.html.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 1 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
A. Lead Agency is Also Responsible for Implementing the State-Funded Pre- Kindergarten Program
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: State general The Lead Agency (the Division of Child Early childhood program, a child must be 3- revenue, some federal Care and Early Childhood Education) programs accredited or 4-years-old and have a funding, and local match administers the Pre-K program in by the Department of family income not exceeding (at least 40 percent of collaboration with the Department of Health and Human 200 percent of the Federal overall funding must Education. The Pre-K program, Arkansas Services, quality Poverty Income Guidelines consist of local Better Chance For School Success approved by the (FPIG). contributions); however, (ABCSS), is mandated to provide services Department of
match requirements may 178 days per year and 7.5 hours per day. Education, and that Child care: Families with be waived if program is The Lead Agency encourages coordination comply with the incomes at or below 60 in a district experiencing between Pre-K and child care programs to ABCSS standards percent of the State Median "academic distress." provide before- and after-school care, may apply for Income (SMI). wraparound care, and holiday and summer funding. Arkansas Child care: State care for children. Many of the providers Maintenance-of-Effort participating in ABCSS also participate in (MOE) and Matching the child care assistance program, funds (including State increasing access to extended care since general revenue and children may receive care in the same Pre-K funds to meet setting or may be transported (by the match) and parental program) to another care setting. fees according to a sliding scale.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 2 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: Because Georgia has Pre-K: Pre-K funding The CAPS program is designed to help Families that a universal Pre-K program, proceeds are received low-income families afford safe, quality qualify for the children must be 4-years-old front the state lottery child care. The CAPS program is CAPS program to be eligible to attend the program and based on administered in all 159 Georgia can choose their voluntary program in the specifics such as class counties by the local county own child care State. size, geographic Department of Family and Children provider. The location, teacher Services (DFCS). Child Care Child care: parents applying credentials, and the Services division or enrolled in the Childcare number of children In Georgia, the Lead Agency of Bright from the and Parent Services (CAPS) participating in a federal administers Georgia’s Pre-K Program, Start monitors and program, Georgia’s assistance program. which is offered in public schools, licenses these subsidized child care private child care learning centers, child care program, must be at or Child care: Subsidized Head Start centers, military child care
Georgia programs. below 160 percent of the child care is primarily centers, and technical laboratory 2008 FPIG. funded through CCDF centers, with goals of offering funds provided by the wraparound services to children served Federal Government. by eligible CCDF providers. State matching funds The state Department of Early Care for the program are and Early Learning leads the Bright allocated from the State from the Start program that allows child General Fund. care centers to administer Pre-K to eligible 4-year-olds.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 3 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: Programs are The Department of Education, Division of School boards may program, a child must be 4- funded through grants Early Childhood Development, contract services to years-old and come from an from the Department of administers the child care and Pre-K qualified venders, economically disadvantaged Education that are programs in the State. The Pre-K program such as Head Start family (income qualifies for allocated to county typically operates half day within the programs, State or free or reduced lunch) or a boards of education, academic school year. Local school nationally accredited family that is homeless. If which then distribute system superintendents may choose to child care centers, space and funding permit, them to local school establish all-day prekindergarten or nonpublic schools 4-year-olds in special systems. programs in their jurisdictions. Many approved by the education or who are elementary schools coordinate with Department of English language learners Child care: State MOE qualified vendors to provide onsite before Education. Qualified and exhibit a lack of school and Matching funds or after-school care (or both) to families venders must meet readiness may be admitted. (including state general requiring care when school is not in the same quality revenue and Pre-K
Maryland session and during the summer. To standards as Pre-K Child care: Families with funds to meet match), further support coordination efforts, programs in public incomes at or below 50 Temporary Assistance policies are in place to allow schools. percent of the SMI. for Needy Families transportation of children between child (TANF) transfer and care settings and school programs. direct spending on child care, and parental fees The Early Childhood Advisory Council according to a sliding and the Judith P. Hoyer-Head Start State scale. Advisory Council also facilitate coordination efforts between Pre-K and child care services.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 4 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: Funding is The Michigan Department of Education Services are program, a child must be 4- available to school (MDE), Office of Great Start oversees the available in school years-old and, depending on districts via a formula child care and Pre-K programs. MDE districts or income, experience at least (number of eligible requires that each applicant for funding subcontracted public children in district). A conduct a needs assessment to ensure and private child one risk factor (such as competitive grant is also that the Pre-K program aligns with the child care facilities, and English as a second language, available to fund services care options in the local area. Applicants Head Start low birth weight, low family in public and private child who propose wraparound child care either programs. income, incarcerated parent). care centers and within the program or by coordinating with At least 50 percent of children agencies. local child care providers are given funding enrolled must come from priority. families with incomes below Child care: State MOE and Matching funds The State’s Pre-K program, Great Start 300 percent of the FPIG. (including state general Readiness Program (GSRP), provides Children from families Michigan revenue and Pre-K services a minimum of 3 hours per day, 4 considered over income may funds to meet match), days per week. Many Pre-K programs offer be eligible if they have at least direct TANF spending wraparound child care, funded by tuition two risk factors. on child care, and and child care subsidy funds. Programs parental fees according may also refer and transport children to Child care: Income eligibility to a sliding scale. other child care providers to meet family requirements vary by family preferences. All public school programs size, a family of 3 must be at provide referrals or transportation for or below 37 percent of the wraparound care (if not onsite care), and SMI. many competitive GSRP agencies offer wraparound care onsite.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 5 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: Funding is The Division of Child Development and Eligible programs program, a child must be 4- through general state Early Education (DCDEE), within the include Head Start, years-old and considered funds and revenue Department of Health and Human licensed child care “at risk.” Children whose from the state lottery. Services, administers the Pre-K and child centers, and public parents are active duty Smart Start funds can care programs. DCDEE will coordinate schools. Nonpublic military personnel are also be used for Pre-K and streamline Pre-K and child care to settings have to meet automatically eligible for services. Families may ensure blended funding and integrated high quality ratings services.1 be charged for services are available through Pre-K, under the licensing wraparound services, subsidized child care, and Smart Start. system to be eligible Child care: Families with meals, or both. for funding. Both incomes at or below 75 The North Carolina Prekindergarten public and nonpublic percent of the SMI. Child care: State MOE Program (NCPK) is available 6.5 hours settings have to meet and Matching funds per day. Subsidy funds are available for
orth Carolina the same standards (including state general wraparound care to accommodate N set by the Board of revenue and Pre-K funds parents needing full-day child care Education. to meet match), TANF services. DCDEE licensing consultants transfer and direct also monitor NCPK programs. spending on child care, and parental fees according to a sliding scale.
1 At risk includes families with incomes at or below 75 percent of the SMI; children with developmental delays, chronic health conditions, or disabilities; or children with limited English proficiency. Priority is given to children who have not previously participated in an early care and education program and are eligible to enter kindergarten the following school year.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 6 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: Funding is (DEL oversees the Pre-K program, Early ECEAP services program, a child must be 4- through discretionary Childhood Education and Assistance are offered in a years-old and have a family appropriations from the Program (ECEAP), and the subsidy and variety of settings, income at or below 110 legislature. The licensing programs in the State. ECEAP including public percent of the FPIG. Department of Early sites may also be licensed child care school districts, Children who qualify for Learning (DEL) is also facilities, which makes extended care nonprofit and special education are eligible encouraged to locate available at the same location. ECEAP nonsectarian regardless of family income. 2 private and federal staff work closely with families to address organizations, funding sources. child care needs and assist them in local Child care: Income eligibility Families are not accessing child care assistance through governments, and requirements vary by family charged for services. the Working Connections Child Care community and size, a family of 3 must be at program. Some ECEAP programs may technical or below 50 percent of the Child care: State MOE also provide transportation to and from colleges. SMI. and Matching funds child care facilities. (including state general revenue and Pre-K DEL managers work to integrate child care funds to meet match), and Pre-K regulations where possible and Washington TANF transfer and share monitoring data. They respond to direct spending on child requests for clarification from child care care, and parental fees providers who also provide Pre-K according to a sliding services. DEL staff provide training and scale. technical assistance to support quality of care and include child care and ECEAP staff in some training events. DEL also works with Thrive by Five Washington and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to coordinate programs to improve school
readiness.
2 Ten percent of slots can be used to serve children from families who are over income but present environmental and developmental risk factors. Some 3-year- olds who present risk factors may be eligible.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 7 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
B. Separate Entities are Responsible for Implementing the State-Funded Prekindergarten Program and the Child Care Program
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: Funding grants The Pre-K program, within the Department A competitive grant program, a child must be 4- range from $45,000 to of Children's Affairs, Office of School process determines years-old. There are no other $90,000 per year. Readiness, has expanded to operate 212 sites and can requirements. Grantees must provide a sites within the State. The Department of include public local match based on Children's Affairs and the Lead Agency, schools, child care Child care: Income eligibility award grant, which within the Department of Human centers, faith-based requirements vary by family varies by location. Resources, coordinate wraparound centers, Head Start size, a family of 3 must be at Grantees may charge services so part-day care is available programs, colleges or below 47 percent of the parental fees according during the school year and full-day care is and universities, SMI. to a sliding scale. available during school breaks and community
labama holidays for children in sites that do not organizations, and Child care: State MOE A offer full-day, full-year services. military agencies. and Matching funds (including county and The Lead Agency also makes local public funds and professional development Pre-K funds to meet training initiatives, including match), TANF transfer, scholarships, available to Pre-K and parental fees staff. according to a sliding scale.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 8 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: Funding The Colorado Preschool Program (CPP), School districts program, a child must 4- (combination of State, within the Department of Education, is wanting to provide years-old. Select 3-year-olds local specific ownership, authorized to fund 20,160 half-day slots (2.5 Pre-K services must must experience three of the and local property taxes) hours per day, 4 days per week) and 5 establish a district following risk factors ( is calculated using the percent of these slots can serve children advisory council that eligibility for free or reduced Colorado school finance full-day (two slots). Collaboration with ensures that decisions meals, history of abuse or formula and distributed community partners is encouraged to use are locally driven and neglect, homelessness, to school districts resources within a district effectively. key stakeholders are parental substance abuse, offering Pre-K services. Coordination between Pre-K and child care involved. teen pregnancy, and other Pre-K children receive varies by school districts. CPP collaborates 3 School districts may locally determined factors). half the amount full-time with child care programs within its district to equivalent students offer wraparound services and extend subcontract part, or Child care: Families with receive. 4 quality care (from half-day to full-day). all, of its Pre-K incomes at or below 85 program to Head percent of the SMI. Child care: State MOE Start, child care
Colorado and Matching funds centers, or public and (including state general community-based and county public funds, agencies. These private donated funds, programs must meet and Pre-K funds to meet the same quality match), TANF transfer standards as a and direct spending on district-run program. child care, and parental All Pre-K classrooms fees according to a must be licensed sliding scale. through the licensing agency (Lead Agency).
3 Children 3-years-old must have at least three family risk factors to be eligible, while children 4-years-old must have one risk factor. Children who are 5-years-old may be eligible for CPP if they are age 5 by October 1 and are eligible for kindergarten the next year (only participate in CPP one year). 4 Additional information about how funding is calculated is available at http://www.cde.state.co.us/cpp/coordresources.htm.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 9 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: The LA 4 The Department of Education administers School districts, program, a child must be 4- program is funded by the LA 4 Prekindergarten Program and charter schools, years-old and qualify for state appropriations, the Department of Children and Family Head Start free or reduced price lunch. fees from families that Services administers the child care programs, and do not meet the income program, which will be administered by licensed Class A Child care: Families with guidelines for the the Department of Education beginning in child care centers. incomes at or below 65 federal lunch program, July 2015. The Lead Agency contracts percent of the SMI. and other tate with Board of Elementary and Secondary resources (tobacco Education regulated public schools and
5 settlement proceeds approved nonpublic schools to provide and the Louisiana before- and after-school care and summer Education Quality Trust programs. These settings allow parents to Fund). have their prekindergarten aged children cared for at one location throughout the Child care: State MOE Louisiana after-school day and the school year. and Matching funds (including state general The LA 4 program services can be offered funds and Pre-K funds in Class A licensed centers that have a to meet match), TANF four star rating in the State’s quality rating transfer and direct and improvement system. These centers spending on child care, will continue to provide full-day, full- year and parental fees child care services for working families. according to a sliding Before- and after-school day services will scale. be provided using CCDF funds where appropriate.
5 In addition to the LA 4 Pre- K Program, the State also has the 8(g) Student Enhancement Block Grant Program and the Nonpublic Schools Early Childhood Development Program (NSECD) preschool initiatives.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 10 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: Funding is The Department of Education administers Pre-K services are program, a child must be 3- through legislative the Pre-K funds and distributes grants to available through or 4-years-old, have a family appropriations made to local programs such as Head Start; school Head Start programs, income that meets the the Prekindergarten districts; and private, nonsectarian public schools, and income eligibility Program Trust Fund. providers through a competitive grant private nonsectarian requirements of the Head process. The State Board of Education child care programs Start program, and not Child care: State MOE gives funding priority to counties or regions (such as private currently receive services. and Matching funds that identified unmet needs in their early agencies, Twenty percent of the slots (including state general childhood system plan. government can be used for children funds, private donated agencies, faith-based funds, and Pre-K funds CThe hild Care Division, within the Oregon
Oregon from families who are over organizations, and income. to meet match) and Department of Employment; the Pre-K colleges or parental fees according program, within the Oregon Department of universities). All Child care: Income eligibility to a sliding scale. Education and the Oregon Department of programs must follow requirements vary by family Human Services collaborate through the Head Start size, but typically a family interagency agreements and service Performance whose income is at or below contracts to provide full-day, full-year child Standards. 185 percent of the FPIG may care services for children of low-income be eligible. working families.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 11 Prekindergarten and Child Care Collaboration Initiatives December 2014
State Income Eligibility Funding Streams Coordination/Collaboration Eligible Providers
Pre-K: To be eligible for the Pre-K: Funding is The West Virginia Universal Pre-K Public schools may program, a child must be 4- primarily through the System, within the Department of subcontract with years-old. State School Aid Education, is a voluntary universal child care centers, Funding Formula. program that emphasizes collaboration Head Start Children who are 3-years- Depending on the between child care providers, Head Start, programs, and old are eligible for services hours of instruction, and county school boards. private if they have an Pre-K children receive prekindergarten Individualized Education between half and the Each county also has a collaborative early programs to provide Plan (IEP). There are no total amount that full- childhood team that is comprised of local services. other requirements. time equivalent boards of education, Head Start, and child students receive. care agencies. The teams’ purpose is to Child care: Families enter School districts with ensure that joint decisions are made the program with income at high percentages of at- about Pre-K classroom locations, share or below 150 percent of the risk children may use classroom resources, ensure a FPIG and remain eligible funding for remedial or countywide application and enrollment process, ensure that services for special
Wes t Virginia upon reassessment until preventive programs to their income exceeds 185 support Pre-K services. needs children are provided in the least percent of the FPIG. restrictive environments according to the Child care: State MOE child’s IEP, and that all programs have and Matching funds representation in the collaborative early (including state general childhood team. funds), direct TANF spending on child care, and parental fees according to a sliding scale.
*The Child Care State Systems Specialist Network does not endorse any non-Federal organization, publication, or resource.
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax VA, 22031 | Phone: 877-296-2401 | Email: [email protected]
Child Care State Systems Specialist Network, A Service of the Office of Child Care 12