Step Up To Quality

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Step Up To Quality
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Introduction and History Terrie Hare Chief,
Bureau of Child Care and Development Ohio
Department of Job and Family Services
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• What is Step Up To Quality?
• Voluntary quality rating system for ODJFS
  licensed centers
• Recognizes three progressively higher levels of
  program quality building on Ohios health and
  safety licensing requirements
• Provides supports and awards to assist programs
  in achieving and maintaining a star-rating

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• What are the Goals?
• Improve the quality of early care and education
  settings in order to support childrens optimal
  development and learning.
• Provide parents with an easy to use tool to
  assist them in selecting quality early care and
  education programs for their children.

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History 1998 Oklahoma implements the first
statewide Quality Rating System (now in more
than 14 states) 1999-2000 In Ohio, a
Public/Private Partnership including 60
stakeholders develops initial criteria 2003
Build Ohio identifies Step Up To Quality as a
high priority work begins on policies and
procedures 2005 Pilot implementation begins
in 9 counties 2006 Additional funding is
secured and statewide implementation
announced 2007 Statewide implementation moves
forward

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• Partners
• Ohio Department of Job Family Services,
• Bureau of Child Care Development
• OCCRRA - Ohio Child Care Resource Referral
  Association
• Build Ohio
• Ohio Department of Education,
• Office of Early Learning School Readiness

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• How can a quality rating system support
  childrens development learning?

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• Clearly defines the research-based elements of
  quality
• Provides targeted supports and resources to
  improve program quality system-wide
• Informs parents and the public about the
  importance of quality programs
• Recognizes programs that achieve higher levels of
  quality

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• Movement Between Star-Ratings
• Step Up To Quality Pilot had 204 star-rated
  programs November 30, 2006
• As of May 14, 2007, there were 263 star-rated
  programs, with many moving up to two and three
  star ratings

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• Pilot Results
• Parents reported they will use star-ratings to
  find programs in the future
• Administrators reported that participation is
  improving staff understanding of quality
• Star-rated programs scored significantly higher
  than non-rated programs on the Early Childhood
  Environment Rating Scale (Revised)

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• Steps to Earning a Star-rating
• Program submits application
• Teachers and administrators complete on-line
  Professional Registry (www.ohpdnetwork.org)
• State reviews application, compliance with
  licensing and staff qualifications
• Step Up Licensing Specialist (SULS) conduct
  on-site verification of SUTQ benchmark indicators
• Program receives star-rating certificate and
  promotional materials
• Program completes Quality Achievement Award
  application
• Program receives Quality Achievement Award

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• Getting Started
• Go to www.stepuptoquality.org and download the
  Guidance Document and other materials
• Apply online at www.stepuptoquality.org
• Go to www.ohpdnetwork.org and complete the
  Professional Registry for all Administrators,
  Lead Teachers, and Assistant Teachers

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Benchmarks, Eligibility, Application Process, and
Awards Jamie Gottesman Assistant Chief, Bureau of
Child Care and Development Ohio Department of
Job and Family Services
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• Benchmarks and Indicators

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• Benchmarks
• Ratio and Group Size
• Staff Education and Qualifications
• Specialized Training
• Administrative Practices
• Early Learning

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• Ratio and Group Size
• Ratio and group size are reduced as programs move
  from licensing standards to 3-stars
• Programs that are accredited or achieve an
  average score of 5 on Environment Rating Scales
  may meet ratios and group size requirements of
  the previous step

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• Staff Education and Qualifications
• Progressively more staff have a minimum of an
  associate degree in early childhood
• Indicators can be met by achieving Career
  Pathways Level 2 or 3, as appropriate, on the
  Professional Registry (www.ohpdnetwork.org)

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• Specialized Training
• Annual training for administrators, lead teachers
  and assistant teachers
• Training is approved and must be position and/or
  age of child specific
• See Guidance Document and Approved Training at
  www.stepuptoquality.org

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Training Progression
Step III 15 Hours
Integrated Focus Program Improvement
Implementation
Inform
______________________________
Step II 10 Hours
Expanded Focus/ Classroom
Application
_______________
Step I 5 Hours
Narrow Focus/ Classroom
Awareness
Core Knowledge Levels Competencies
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• Administrative Practices
• Increasing attention to program planning and
  evaluation, human resource development and
  benefits and compensation
• Utilizes Program Administration Scale (PAS),
  professional development plans for the
  administrator and all teachers, salary structure
  and menu of benefits

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• Early Learning
• Builds on the foundation of the Infant and
  Toddler Guidelines, Early Learning Standards and
  Program Guidelines
• Aligns curriculum, planning, and screenings
• Integrates ongoing child assessment and classroom
  action plans

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• Getting Started
• Currently, programs must be ODJFS licensed
  centers
• Programs must not have received a letter of
  intent to revoke the child care license in the
  past 48 months
• Programs must not have had a serious risk
  non-compliance with licensing rules in the past
  12 months

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• Programs apply online at the Step Up To Quality
  web site www.stepuptoquality.org
• Programs apply for a specific Star level - 1
  Star, 2 Star, 3 Star or as an Emerging Star
• Training must be complete at the time of
  application
• Programs will receive a notice of eligibility
  letter with an unannounced verification visit to
  follow within 90 days
• There is no application fee

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• Professional Registry
• The Registry is housed on the Professional
  Development website at www.ohpdnetwork.org
• All administrators, lead and assistant teachers
  must complete their own individual Registry
  Profile and forward verification of trainings to
  OCCRRA
• This can be completed prior to the application
  process

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• Review of Application
• Step Up To Quality Licensing Specialist (SULS)
  determine applicants eligibility based upon the
  programs licensing history
• Center will receive notification of eligibility
  status from the SULS in e-mail or letter form
• Step Up Licensing Specialists request Registry
  Profiles from OCCRRA for use during the
  verification visit

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• On-site Verification
• Step Up Licensing Specialists will complete an
  unannounced verification visit within 90 days
  from date program receives a notice of
  eligibility letter
• Programs will need to have a complete Evidence
  Binder available for the SULS
• SULS will review documents and observe in
  classrooms to verify that the program meets the
  benchmarks and indicators for the step for which
  they applied

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• Notification of star-rating
• Programs are notified by letter and mailed a Step
  Up To Quality certificate when they achieve a
  Star Rating
• The Star Rating is added to the ODJFS Child Care
  Website in the programs profile

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• Quality Achievement Award
• Formula driven reward based on license capacity,
  percent of enrolled children funded through ODJFS
  subsidy, and level of star-rating
• Awards may range from 3,000 to 36,000 annually
  subject to available funding and continued
  compliance
• 25 of award must be used for critical repair,
  classroom improvement, early learning resources
  and/or accreditation
• See Quality Achievement Awards at
  www.stepuptoquality.org
• Star-rated programs are also eligible for
  T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Ohio scholarships

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• What is Emerging Stars?
• Emerging Stars is a program to help centers put
  systems in place to ensure compliance with
  portions of rules designated as Serious Risk
• A strong foundation of compliance with health and
  safety is the critical base on which to build
  high quality

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• Emerging Stars Eligibility
• Programs that have serious risk non-compliance
  findings may apply for Emerging Stars.
• Emerging Stars receive on-site technical
  assistance monthly until a star-rating is awarded
  or for a maximum of 12 months.
• Once star-rated, programs receive quarterly
  technical assistance until the star-rating is
  renewed.

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OCCRRAs Role in Step Up To Quality Donna
Ruhland Director of Professional Development,
OCCRRA
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• Child Care Resource Referral
• Local CCRR agencies
• Provide general information on SUTQ
• Assist programs is securing approved training
• Conduct environmental assessments for Emerging
  Stars
• Provide technical assistance to Emerging Stars

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• Child Care Resource Referral
• OCCRRA
• Manages web-based Professional Registry
• Manages T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Ohio
  scholarship and compensation program
• Manages and processes Quality Achievement Awards
• Works to develop and distribute marketing
  materials, coordinates and integrates efforts of
  specialists in the field

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• Professional Registry
• Housed within the Ohio Professional Development
  Network website (www.ohpdnetwork.org)
• Professionals use the on-line registry to
• Create a profile
• Post education, training and credentials
• Track employment
• Calculate a personal Career Pathway Level that
  can be applied to SUTQ indicators

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• Professional Registry Getting Started
• Set up a user I.D. and password by e-mailing the
  Registry office at registry_at_occrra.org
• Follow links at www.ohpdnetwork.org to enter data
• Send copies of documentation for education,
  training and credentials to OCCRRA
• Routinely up date your information

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• Professional Registry
• Additional Information
• Visit www.build-ohio.org click on publications
  and links to view information from the Ohio
  Professional Development Network and Registry
  Conference call
• Visit www.ohpdnetwork.org
• Call 1-877-547-6978 or e-mail registry_at_occrra.org
  with questions

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• T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Ohio
• Staff in star-rated programs may access
  scholarships leading to an associates degree in
  early childhood education or child development
• Assistance is provided with tuition, books and
  related expenses
• T.E.A.C.H. scholars commit to remain in their
  current program for one year
• A raise or bonus is awarded to the scholar

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• T.E.A.C.H. Additional Information
• Visit www.build-ohio.org click on publications
  and links to view information from the T.E.A.C.H.
  Early Childhood Ohio conference call
• Visit www.occrra.org/TEACH for detailed
  information and printable applications
• Call 1-877-547-6978 ext. 304 or e-mail
  efencl_at_occrra.org with questions

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• Quality Achievement Award Process
• ODJFS calculates award amount and program is
  mailed an award application
• Program completes application with assurances and
  submits to OCCRRA
• OCCRRA processes and mails a check for one-half
  the annual award
• Remaining award amount is processed after 6 months

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• Quality Achievement Award Additional Information
  
• See Quality Achievement Awards at
  www.stepuptoquality.org
• Call OCCRRA at 1-877-547-6978 with questions

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• Marketing Materials
• Star Rated programs will receive
• Step Up To Quality Banner
• Media Kit which contains letters for media and
  legislators, print materials for parents
• Recognition of 3 Star Centers at the
  Accreditation/SUTQ luncheon at the annual Early
  Care and Education Conference

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• Everything Is Available Online
• www.stepuptoquality.org
• SUTQ Benchmarks and Indicators for each star
  rating
• Guidance Document - detailed information on
  policies and procedures
• Application Form
• Quality Achievement Awards
• Who to Call When a listing of commonly asked
  questions, plus local and state contact
  information
• Serious Risk Rules complete listing
• Early Learning Training
• Evidence Binder Sample Forms
• Parent Information
• Please email conferencecall_at_build-ohio.org if you
  have questions.

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• Thanks for Stepping Up!