Kansas Association Of Child Care Resource And Referral Agencies

CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL TO A THRIVING KANSAS ECONOMY. COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE - INCLUDING FAMILIES AND EMPLOYERS - NEED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE. OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS (FUNDED BY CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT (CRRSA) OF 2021 AND AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021 THROUGH KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES), IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF KANSAS:SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS - THESE GRANTS, AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE PROVIDERS, PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP OFFSET THE REALIZED NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE STRUCTURAL LAYERS OF OPERATING A CHILD CARE BUSINESS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. PROVIDERS MUST USE A PORTION OF THE GRANT FUNDS TO CONTINUE TO PAY THE SALARIES/WAGES OF STAFF EMPLOYED THROUGH THE LICENSED CHILD CARE FACILITY. DURING 2021, TWO ROUNDS OF SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS. 3,162 CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WERE AWARDED SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS DURING THE FIRST ROUND OF GRANTS, AND 3,489 CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WERE AWARDED SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS DURING THE SECOND ROUND OF GRANTS.

CHILD CARE HEALTH CONSULTANT (CCHC) NETWORK. FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM BEGAN ON 9/1/2020 AND CONTINUES. THE CHILD CARE HEALTH CONSULTANT (CCHC) NETWORK SUPPORTS QUALITY CHILD CARE SERVICES AND PROMOTES HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN IN KDHE LICENSED CHILD CARE FACILITIES. CCHC PROVIDES CONSULTATIONS, TRAINING, INFORMATION, REFERRAL, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE OF KANSAS. CCHC OFFERS CRITICAL SERVICES TO CHILD CARE PROGRAMS BY REVIEWING POLICIES, OFFERING DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERTISE, COMPLETING ASSESSMENTS OF CHILD, STAFF, AND FAMILY HEALTH NEEDS, AND CONNECTING TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES. IN ADDITION, CCHC COLLABORATES WITH AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CONSULTANTS, SUCH AS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH, AND NUTRITION CONSULTANTS. VARIOUS GRANT OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR LICENSED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS THROUGH THE CCHC NETWORK.SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 TO FEBRUARY 28, 2021, CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT (CARES ACT) FUNDING AWARDED THROUGH KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT. DURING THIS PERIOD OF THE CCHC NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION, 440 COVID-19 FACILITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, THE CCHC NETWORK SERVED/ENGAGED 301 FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND 63 CHILD CARE CENTERS FOR A TOTAL OF 364 PROGRAMS. OF THE 364 PROGRAMS, 204 ACCEPTED KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SUBSIDY PAYMENTS.DECEMBER 31, 2020 TO JANUARY 31, 2022, CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT (CARES ACT) FUNDING AWARDED THROUGH KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT. DURING THIS PERIOD OF THE CCHC NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION, 1,426 CHILD CARE IMPACT GRANTS WERE AWARDED. IN ADDITION, THE CCHC NETWORK SERVED/ENGAGED 416 FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND 86 CHILD CARE CENTERS FOR A TOTAL OF 502 PROGRAMS. OF THE 502 PROGRAMS, 251 ACCEPTED KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SUBSIDY PAYMENTS.JULY 1, 2021 TO APRIL 29, 2022, PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENT GRANT (PDG) BIRTH THROUGH FIVE (PDG B-5) PROJECT FUNDING AWARDED THROUGH KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT. DURING THIS PERIOD OF THE CCHC NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION, THE CCHC NETWORK SERVED/ENGAGED 272 FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND 77 CHILD CARE CENTERS FOR A TOTAL OF 349 PROGRAMS. OF THE 349 PROGRAMS, 205 ACCEPTED KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SUBSIDY PAYMENTS. BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2022 THROUGH APRIL 29, 2022, THIS CONTRACT WAS AMENDED TO INCLUDE COMMUNITIES IN ACTION: A COMMUNITY CHILD CARE CAPACITY-BUILDING PROJECT THAT CONNECTS COMMUNITIES TO THE PERSPECTIVES, INFORMATION, AND IDEAS THEY NEED TO INVEST IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SOLUTIONS IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS KANSAS.OCTOBER 1, 2021 TO SEPTEMBER 20, 2023, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021 FUNDING AWARDED THROUGH KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT. DURING THIS PERIOD OF THE CCHC NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION, THE CCHC NETWORK SERVED/ENGAGED 268 CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. OF THE 268 CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, 175 FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND 33 CHILD CARE CENTERS RECEIVED DIRECT SERVICE FOR A TOTAL OF 208 PROGRAMS. OF THE 208 PROGRAMS, 114 ACCEPTED KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SUBSIDY PAYMENTS.

CHILD CARE CONSUMER EDUCATION REFERRAL SERVICES IS FUNDED BY THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF). THE STATEWIDE NETWORK OF CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCIES WORK TOGETHER TO CONNECT FAMILIES ACROSS KANSAS TO CHILD CARE IN THEIR AREA. THE CHILD CARE AWARE OF KANSAS RESOURCE CENTER PROVIDES CHILD CARE REFERRALS AND SHARES RESOURCES WITH FAMILIES SEEKING CARE. THE FOLLOWING REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO DCF FOR APPROVAL, 2021 CHILD CARE SUPPLY DEMAND REPORT: "KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER: LESSONS IN RECOVERY FROM COVID-19."

THE CHILD CARE QUALITY INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE. TRAINING AND COACHING SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT ENHANCE TEACHER-CHILD AND PARENT-CHILD INTERACTIONS TO MAXIMIZE IMPACT FOR CHILDREN. BY PROMOTING SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND CONNECTING FAMILIES WITH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES, WE CAN HELP KANSAS FAMILIES SUPPORT THEIR CHILD'S HEALTHY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE CHILD CARE QUALITY INITIATIVE SERVED 484 CHILDREN IN 54 CHILD CARE FACILITIES PROVIDING THE CHILD CARE FACILITIES WITH 621 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INTERACTIONS.LINKS TO QUALITY (L2Q) IS PILOTING THE QUAILTY RECOGNITION AND IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM IN KANSAS (QRIS) AND PROVIDING PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT TO ASSIST PROVIDERS IN IMPROVING BUSINESS PRACTICES. COMMUNITY CONSULTANTS PROVIDE COACHING, MENTORING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND TRAINING TO PROGRAMS IN LEARNING COMMUNITIES AND ACROSS KANSAS AS THEY CONTINUOUSLY WORK TO ENSURE THEIR BUSINESS HAS A STRONG FOUNDATION. DURING 2021, THE PROJECT FOCUSED ON HELPING PROGRAMS RECOVER FROM THE FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 43 PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN THE L2Q PROJECT AND 175 PROGRAMS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT SERVICE.GROW ECE, OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FAMILY CONSERVANCY: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES SALARY SUPPLEMENTS TO ELIGIBLE CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS IN WYANDOTTE COUNTY. CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS MUST MEET EDUCATIONAL, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR LENGTH OF SERVICE CRITERIA TO BE ELIGIBLE.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION SERVICES: THIS INITIATIVE PROVIDES ONGOING APPROVAL OF CCR&R PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CEU UNITS AS WELL AS PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING: INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING EVENTS, OFFERED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE, TYPICALLY DURING EVENINGS AND WEEKEND HOURS TO MEET THE UNIQUE SCHEDULING NEEDS OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.ONLINE LEARNING: AN ONLINE TRAINING SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS SEEKING AN ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING FORMAT, 200 COURSES ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS PER WEEK. CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE AT THEIR OWN PACE.LIVE ONLINE EVENTS: AN INTERACTIVE ONLINE REAL-TIME VIRTUAL CLASSROOM THAT COMBINES FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING WITH ONLINE TRAINING.PEDIATRIC FIRST AID AND CPR CERTIFICATIONS: HELPING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS LEARN LIFESAVING SKILLS AND MEET CHILD CARE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIPS: EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO INCREASE THE EDUCATION LEVEL OF CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THROUGH CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.KANSAS CHILD: A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE THAT PROVIDES A FORUM FOR THE DISCUSSION OF CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION TOPICS AND IDEAS. THE MAGAZINE PROVOKES THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE FIELD AND HELPS THOSE OUTSIDE THE FIELD GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF PRIORITIES AND CONCERNS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.CONNECTING THE DOTS SALINE COUNTY: PRIOR TO 2021, KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCIES PROVIDED FISCAL OVERSIGHT FOR THIS SALINE COUNTY INITIATIVE. IN 2021, THE FUNDS WERE TRANSFERRED TO GREATER SALINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (GSCF) AS A DONATION FOR GSCF TO ASSUME FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.HEALTHY KIDS HEALTHY FUTURE - TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE NEMOURS FOUNDATION, THE INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SETTINGS. THIS INITIATIVE SUPPORTS CAPACITY-BUILDING STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO CHILD CARE PROGRAMS.COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND STIPENDS: 38 STIPENDS WERE PAID TO SMALL-TO-MID-SIZED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WITH TEMPORARY CLOSURE DUE TO COVID-19 LOCATED IN COMMUNITIES WHERE DEMAND FOR CARE WAS HIGH.THE ORGANIZATION IS INVOLVED IN VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS THAT HELP TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE IN KANSAS AND BEYOND.