AscendHelping children reach their poten�al.

July 2018

Ascend

TCC is pleased to introduce Ascend, a comprehensive Early Childhood Integrated Data System to manage State’s early childhood programming and be�er inform decisions about the children, programs and workforce they are serving.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA | WWW.E-TCC.COM | MIKE BOYLE | MIKE.BOYLE@E-TCC.COM | 317.625.2547

Bi-partisan Supportfor Early Childhood

Funding

State DataNeeds

Rapid Rise ofTechnology inEveryday Lives

Early ChildhoodData System

Vision & Needs

INTRODUCTION

Ensure You Have the EarlyChildhood Data You Need.

To our readers:

If you’ve picked up this magazine, you probably have an important leadership role in the early childhood field. So, I don’t need to explain the science and research about why inves�ng in early childhood systems is important to achieving and sustaining posi�ve outcomes for our children, our families, our workforce and our communi�es. You also know that in order to make informed policy, management and systems building decisions, you need valid, reliable and comprehensive data.

In the simplest terms, you need data that will support your state with short and long term analysis about:

• Who is delivering services? • What services are being delivered? • Where are the services being delivered? • Who is receiving services? • How long do they receive services? • Do public investments result in posi�ve outcomes?

OPPORTUNITIES

We’ve made significant strides in securing bipar�san Congressional support for investment in early childhood. Likewise, many governors are championing early childhood in their states. These increased public investments mean increased need for data and analysis. Use of technology is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. The rapid rise of technology in our lives has changed how we func�on as individuals. It has changed how we want to see and use data. It has changed our expecta�ons about how we provide and receive services.

Michelle ThomasTCC Senior Policy AdvisorMichelle Thomas has 25 years of experience working in the health and human services fields.

Now may be the perfect �me for your state to revisit your vision and needs for an integrated early childhood data system solu�on. At TCC, we have nearly 20 years of experience in State early childhood data system work. We’ve taken that experience and developed early childhood data system products that can work for any state. Read more here about what Ascend and eXpedite can do for your state. Let us know when you are ready to take your next steps.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JULY2018

TCC | 2

CONTENTSEditor’s Letter 2

Team Bios 7

Feature 8Ascend & eXpedite:Products that propel your early childhoodprograms toward a brighter future

3 | TCC

Who is TCC? 5

Articles

A Technology Solutions Provider has emerged in the heart of Indianapolis with roots deeply grounded in the Early Childhood Education field.

Ascend:Reinventing the way States collect and monitor data

QRIS:Meeting the increasing needs for quality child care

Knowledge is Power:Tracking Professional Development Among EarlyChildhood Caregivers

9TCC developed Ascend to assist state agencies with managing multiple aspects of early childhood programs.

Ascend + eXpedite 12The eXpedite mobile data collection tool was designed to work in conjunction with Ascend to manage and track provider data.

14As the demand for child care in the U.S. rises, so does the need for improving the quality of care available to children and families.

16States are implementing Professional Development Registries toencourage and support continuing professional development in the field of early childhood providers.

TCC | 4

WHO IS TCC?A Technology Solutions Provider has emerged in the heart of Indianapolis with roots deeply grounded in the Early Childhood Education field.

Founded in 1996 in Indianapolis, IN, The Consultants Consor�um (TCC) is an innova�ve solu�ons provider commi�ed to designing and delivering high-value, cost-effec�ve IT consul�ng services and applica�on technology solu�ons for both the private and public sectors. With a team of more than 250 IT and business professionals, TCC serves clients na�onwide, from state and federal government agencies to commercial sector customers.

TCC is commi�ed to providing the most cu�ng edge solu�ons, and with that, ensures they stay up-to-date on crucial cer�fica�ons and affilia�ons. Among these are the highly accredited Microso� Cer�fica�ons. TCC holds mul�ple MS Cer�fica�ons, including a Gold Cer�fica�on level in both Applica�on Development and Hos�ng, as well as

a Silver Data Center Cer�fica�on. In addi�on to Microso�, TCC is also a Registered Partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS), and a Capability Maturity Model Integra�on (CMMI) Level III- assessed development organiza�on that u�lizes the Informa�on Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) standard processes for IT service management that focuses on aligning IT services with the needs of business. To maximize these prac�ces, TCC encourages staff members to gain ITIL cer�fica�ons, and even offers study courses and material in-house.

2,000Number of community services hours TCC Employees engage in each year

5 | TCC

WHO IS TCC?

About NASPO ValuePoint

TCC’s roots are grounded in the early childhood educa�on (ECE) field. Our work began in 1999 when we developed an early childhood licensing management system for the State of Indiana, Bureau of Child Care. Our work in early childhood expanded across the country and includes development of addi�onal early childhood data systems including: child care subsidy management, state and local pre-k management, professional development registry and QRIS management.

TCC’s products, Ascend and eXpedite, are both available for procurement

by states directly through the NASPO ValuePoint Cloud Solu�ons contract vehicle.

NASPO ValuePoint is a Coopera�ve Purchasing Organiza�on that provides the highest standard of excellence in public coopera�ve contrac�ng. In November 2016, NASPO ValuePoint signed it’s first master agreement for a Cloud Solu�ons mul�-state coopera�ve procurement. Under this contract, 38 cloud service providers were granted compe�ve awards, including TCC. TCC was awarded to all three NASPO categories of SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS, and is a vendor neutral cloud service provider that is partnered with Cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, VMware vCloud, and LifeLine Data Center to provide robust, reliable, scalable and flexible pla�orm for your infrastructure. By leveraging the leadership and exper�se of all states with the purchasing power of their public en��es, NASPO ValuePoint delivers the best value, most reliable, compe��vely-sourced contracts.

TCC has clients nationwide in all areas of Information Technology, including:

• Early Childhood Data Services

• IT Managed Services

• Application Development

• Staff Augmentation

• Learning Technologies

CLIENTS FROM COAST TO COAST

SUPPLIER PARTNER

TCC | 6

TCC supports na�onal organiza�ons that are dedicated to improving the lives of children and suppor�ng the workforce by sponsoring mul�ple na�onal conferences and maintaining key corporate memberships to these vital organiza�ons.

TCC Early Childhood Memberships and National Conference Sponsorships

KEY PLAYERSLet Our PeopleHelp Your People.

TCC knows that to grow a successful business, you have to build upon a strong founda�on, and that means construc�ng a team of professionals that bring not only expansive knowledge and exper�se in their fields, but also an inherent understanding of how to adapt, innovate and swi�ly execute in an environment that offers enormous opportunity. To that end, TCC’s team of integrated early childhood leadership experts have over 100 combined years of exper�se and hands-on experience in early childhood educa�on and systems. They ensure all projects and systems run smoothly, meet the requirements of every state, and u�lize the best technology the industry has to offer.

20 years. She has experience leading state and federal government early childhood programs and is a former CCDF Child Care Administrator for Indiana. She has expert knowledge in: early care and educa�on data systems, child care law and regula�on, Quality Ra�ng and Improvement Systems (QRIS); CCDF subsidy management and professional development systems. Ms. Thomas serves on the HHS/ACF Na�onal Child Care Licensing Expert Panel, as well as on the Board of Directors for the Na�onal Associa�on for Regulatory Administra�on. Her educa�on includes a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Consumer and Family Sciences from Purdue University.

Michelle ThomasSenior Policy AdvisorMichelle Thomas has 25 years of experience working in the health and human services fields, and has concentrated her work on the early childhood educa�on field for the last

has been able to leverage her passion for service, systems, and youth to be�er serve TCC’s clientele. She prides herself on crea�ng las�ng rela�onships with the clients as well as transla�ng the voice of the customer into the TCC product offering. Michelle has been instrumental in the successful training and implementa�on of TCC services in Indiana, Maryland, Washington, Oklahoma, Washington D.C., Virgin Islands, Illinois and New Jersey. She has also embraced learning addi�onal knowledge about how to best align IT services with the needs of the business by comple�ng Business Analyst courses and obtaining her ITIL Founda�on Cer�fica�on.

Michelle SpenceSenior Software Product Owner/BAMichelle Spence has spent the last 10 years providing a unique perspec�ve on each of her teams. Having spent her early career managing a residen�al treatment facility, she

with over 12 years as the Indiana State Director for Indiana’s Part C early interven�on program. In addi�on to early childhood, Dawn served as Chief of Staff for the Division of Disabili�es and Rehabilita�on Services, serving Medicaid Waiver and Voca�onal Rehabilita�on. She has expert knowledge in early care and educa�on data systems, child care law and regula�ons, Quality Ra�ng and Improvement Systems (QRIS), special educa�on, funding systems, and child outcomes. Ms. Downer is an elected member of the Board of Educa�on within FTCSC and serves on the NARA Adult Care Commi�ee. Her educa�on includes a Bachelor of Business Management from Purdue University.

Dawn DownerProject ManagerDawn Downer has 30 years of experience working in the health and human services fields, spending most of her career working in early childhood

Andy JohnsonEarly Childhood Data ManagerAndy Johnson has worked with TCC since 1997, and has over 18 years of experience in data management with early childcare systems. His experience includes the development of systems to meet Federal repor�ng requirements on reports such as the CCDF ACF-800 and 801 reports, the Quality Performance Report (QPR), the deployment of dashboards to provide child care workers with real-�me data, and the implementa�on of mul�ple interfaces between child care systems and external systems. Most recently, he migrated the State of New Jersey’s data to TCC’s Ascend product, and likewise will be leading the efforts for the State of Louisiana’s data conversion.

7 | TCC

Early Childhood Integrated Data SolutionAscend is a comprehensive Early Childhood

Integrated Data System to manage your State’s early childhood programming and be�er inform

your daily decisions about the children, programs and workforce that you are dedicated to serving.

The Ascend Suite includes an early childhood facility management module.

Products that propelyour Early Childhood

program toward abrighter future

AscendMobile Workforce SoftwareeXpedite Mobile Workforce So�ware digi�zes your forms and enables your mobile field workforce to work anywhere. The eXpedite solu�on decreases costs and increases produc�vity in the office or in the field. TCC has implemented eXpedite in mul�ple states to automate the early childhood facility inspec�on process.

eXpedite

Find out more at:www.e-tcc.com/ascend &

www.e-tcc.com/mobile-workforce-software

TCC | 8

Reinventing the Way States Collect and Monitor Data

AscendTCC developed Ascend to assist state agencies with managing mul�ple aspects of early childhood programs. Our early childhood subject ma�er experts drove the requirements and development process. The result is a system that meets requirements, func�ons and features needed by all states, and provides a flexible pla�orm to make customiza�ons needed due to the unique nature of your state.

Ascend is comprised of several modules and may be easily and quickly adapted to meet the needs of any state.

Ascend modules include:

• Licensing Management

• Professional Development Registry (PDR)

• Quality Ra�ng & Improvement System (QRIS)

• State Pre-K Management

• Subsidy Management

ProfessionalDevelopmentRegistry

State Pre-KManagement

SubsidyManagement

LicensingManagement

MobileInspec�onSo�ware

Ascend System Modules ComplementarySolu�ons

Quality Ra�ng& ImprovementSystem

Background Check Management

Onl

ine

Port

al

(Acc

ess

to E

ach

Mod

ule)

IntegratedLMS

Data Analy�cs

Technology BenefitsAscend is wri�en in Angular and ASP.NET Web API. We u�lize the latest version of SQL Server as the database for each implementa�on. Angular is a popular framework maintained by Google to simplify development and tes�ng processes amongst the developers around the world. Keep reading for some of the top benefits for u�lizing Angular.

Simple Architecture

Angular is considered a simple, current design architecture that makes it is easy for developers to enhance the features to any extent which a client requires. It works extremely well when managing the heavy web applica�ons that contain many components and complex requirements.

Improved Design Architecture

Some large applica�ons contain more than 60 components. Angular makes it easy to manage them even a�er a new programmer joins the project in the middle of the process. The architecture is built in a way which helps the programmer to locate and develop the code easily and efficiently.

A Declarative User Interface

When u�lizing an interface wri�en in JavaScript, HTML code bolsters that interface. Angular u�lizes HTML to define the apps UI. With HTML, the applica�on development is simplified. The developer simply characterizes the necessi�es and lets Angular do alternate occupa�ons of an interface.

Shorter Timeline

Angular is the latest technology which is derived from HTML, therefore developers do not require much �me to code the en�re applica�on. Crea�ng new web apps with Angular is easy, and with a few a�ributes added to the HTML code, a simple app can be built very quickly.

Less Code and Increased Development Efficiency

Less coding is required with Angular, therefore developers can focus more on the efficiency of the applica�on instead of wri�ng code.

Code Reusability

Angular allows developers to reuse chunks of code. This saves �me and makes Angular a unique framework for developers.

User Profiles

Professional Profiles

Applica�on Wizard

Background Check Applica�on

TCC | 10 9 | TCC

Child Care Licensing Mobile Child Care Inspections

State of Maryland 2009

2011

Child Care LicensingMobile Child Care InspectionsQuality Rating & Improvement System

State of OklahomaProfessional Development Registry

Washington, DC

Military Child Care Fee Assistance Eligibility and Payment System

Child Care Aware2010Mobile Child Care Inspections

State of Washington

2010

2011

Child Care LicensingMobile Child Care InspectionsQuality Rating & Improvement System Professional Development Registry

State of Oregon

2016

Child Care LicensingMobile Child Care Inspections

State of Illinois2016

Child Care LicensingMobile Child Care InspectionsQuality Rating & Improvement SystemProfessional Development Registry

State of New Jersey

2017

20092018

20 YEARS SERVINGTHE EARLY CHILDHOOD INDUSTRY

Our Early Childhood Data System work began in 1999 when TCC was awarded a contract with the State of Indiana to develop a child care licensing management system. As our partnership with Indiana grew, TCC developed and integrated other modules needed to support the broad spectrum of early childhood programs and initiatives. TCC has implemented the following early childhood modules in Indiana: child care licensing, mobile child care inspections, subsidy management, QRIS and state and local pre-K management. We’ve taken our experience in Indiana and expanded our work into other states. As bi-partisan support for early childhood has grown, so too has TCC’s capacity to provide comprehensive data system solutions for early childhood government agencies.

Early Childhood Contract with the State of Indiana

11 | TCC

All children deserve a safe and healthy environment -- a quality place where they can develop their bodies and minds. Any child care program can use licensing as the founda�on for quality.

TCC developed our Licensing Management System, Ascend, with the core func�onality our subject ma�er experts know to be needed to support common licensing func�ons, as well as with the flexibility for customiza�on we understand our clients will desire to address their unique policies and processes.

Ascend can maintain and track data on any type of provider in your organiza�on, and it is designed to easily integrate with other systems to assure that your licensing staff have the most current informa�on needed to conduct effec�ve and efficient inspec�ons.

The Licensing Management module manages all func�ons of the early childhood program licensing including online applica�ons, background checks,

Ascend Licensing + eXpediteinspec�ons, complaints, serious injuries/fatali�es, enforcements, renewals and appeals. Role-based user access supports workflow management, alerts and customizable correspondence templates.

With Ascend Licensing, you can manage your early childhood facilities, and drill down into details by using easy to navigate quick links and status tiles.

TCC | 12

Mobile Forms Solution

Key Features Key Benefits

The eXpedite mobile data collec�on tool was designed to work in conjunc�on with Ascend and replicates an exact copy of an agency’s paper forms, then translates them into smart forms that allow field staff to collect data in the field and quickly sync to their home system when an Internet connec�on is available.

For more information, visite-tcc.com/mobile-workforce-software

Form DesignCreate and manage your custom digital formsusing an intui�ve, point-and-click interface

Form Comple�onComplete forms and print reports any�meand anywhere

Version ControlManage and access mul�ple version of any form, from any device

PublishingPublish new forms to specific users so they stay in sync with the latest version

PicturesTake an a�ach relevant photos of evidence and significant details

Map Integra�onTag inspec�on loca�ons, pictures, and videos u�lizing geotagging

CalendarOrganize your tasks and appointments and avoid poten�al conflicts

Sign. Print. Share.Validate forms with client signatures and instantly print from your tablet

Decrease Costs

Increase Accuracy

Increase Efficiency andSpeed

U�lize Ac�onable Data

Improve Field Service Quality

• Eliminate Paper• Eliminate Storage Costs• Decrease field �me returning to the office

• Access data quickly• Eliminate stacks of outdated paper forms• Take immediate ac�on on accurate data

• Standardize collec�on of data• Eliminate inaccurate data and errors• Improve data consistency through form controls

• Increase data quality• Access historical data while in the field• Decrease duplicate data entry with pre-filled forms

• Streamline processes• Increase produc�vity• Eliminate redundant manual processes

13 | TCC

QRIS Meeting the Increasing Needs for Quality ChildCare in the U.S.

works with providers to help them prepare for an advanced ra�ng. Addi�onally, if business rules dictate, annual on-site assessments of all child care programs enrolled in the QRIS can be scheduled to verify con�nued compliance with QRIS requirements. The raters check the screen daily to see the new requests that have been made and then schedule an appointment.

Child Care Program Progression Tracking

Child care program progression tracking provides the user with a snapshot of the progress a provider has made, and provides the user the opportunity to delve deeper by clicking on the links provided. Both management and coaches can quickly view the steps a provider has taken to move through the system.

Case Management Func�ons

To effec�vely assist users with managing provider caseloads, QRIS allows users to efficiently track child care providers’ progress through various levels of the quality improvement process. It also tracks enrollment, contact users have with providers, work plans that track the plan of improvement, checklists, and provider support. QRIS is used by managers to analyze the technical assistance process in terms of contact hours with providers, caseloads and support hours provided to fully support each provider in reaching their goals. This provides a simple way to manage caseloads while standardizing processes and procedures.

The system employs role-based security to ensure both that access rights and data edi�ng opera�ons are restricted to the appropriate users.

Scheduling Quality Ra�ng Assessments

The process for scheduling a Quality Ra�ng Assessment begins before the appointment is scheduled. A mentor

As the demand for child care in the U.S. rises, so does the need for improving the quality of care available to children and families. To meet these demands, an increasing number of states are employing quality ra�ng and improvement systems (QRIS) to rate the quality of care and track improvement efforts among child care providers statewide. TCC has been answering these demands over the past 20 years with a customizable QRIS that can act as a standalone system or can work in conjunc�on with the other available modules within their Ascend early childhood integrated data solu�on.

TCC’s QRIS module manages all func�ons of a state QRIS, including online applica�ons, technical assistance/coaching par�cipa�on, con�nuous quality improvement plans, ra�ngs engine and calendar, appeals and awards/incen�ves. Role-based user access supports workflow management, alerts and customizable correspondence templates.

Benefits of a QRIS:

• Assessment of providers’ readiness for the next level• Ability to set goals and objectives to to achieve a higher quality level of care, including responsibilities of both the technical mentor and provider

• Ability to input detailed information about each contact including agenda, summary, length, date and time of contact, contact type and purpose

• A comprehensive list of reports providing all aspects of QRIS data• A process for scheduling quality rating visits and providing assessment results

TCC | 14

Ascend Early Childhood Integrated Data Solu�onTCC developed Ascend to assist state agencies with managing mul�ple aspects of early childhood programs. Comprised of several modules, Ascend offers features and func�onality necessary for all states with a flexible pla�orm for customiza�ons, making it quickly and easily adaptable to the unique nature and requirements of any state.

Helping children reach their poten�al.

Professional DevelopmentRegistry

State Pre-K Management

Subsidy Management

Licensing Management Quality Ra�ng & Improvement SystemThe Quality Ra�ng & Improvement System (QRIS) module of Ascend manages all func�ons of a state QRIS, including online applica�ons, TA/coaching par�cipa�on, con�nuous quality improvement plans, ra�ngs engine and calendar, appeals and awards/incen�ves.

Online Applica�on • Supports online applica�on process for all program types • User friendly tools to upload suppor�ng documenta�on

Technical Assistance Management • Assign and manage TA providers and caseloads • Track TA interven�ons and dosage

Grants and Incen�ve Management • Track and audit grants and incen�ves issued to programs • Link to online catalogue(s) and track all incen�ve purchases

Quality Improvement Plans • Develop and monitor detailed plans designed to improve the quality of the facility • Track quality over �me

Ra�ng Management • Customizable ra�ngs engine • Ra�ng schedule/calendar and renewal alerts

Appeals Process • Track appeals to issued ra�ng • Detailed audit history to support appeals decisions

QRIS Func�onality & Features

WWW.E-TCC.COMMike Boyle, Dir. of Business DevelopmentE: Mike.Boyle@e-tcc.com P: 317.625.2547

Let us know how we can help you. ContactMike Boyle for moreinforma�on and toschedule a demo.

WantMoreInfo?

In nearly all industries, con�nued professional development is important to remain current in the field, and that’s especially true of the early childhood caregivers that are se�ng the educa�onal founda�on for our children in their earliest years. To encourage and support con�nuing professional development in this essen�al area, many states are implemen�ng a Professional Development Registry (PDR) as part of their early childhood data solu�on to support, track and validate professional achievements for their early learning professionals.

These PDR systems allow individuals to search and register for professional development opportuni�es, find resources to enhance their knowledge and skills, and track par�cipa�on in state-approved training and professional development ac�vi�es. The system can also act as a repository of completed training and employment history for early childhood caregivers. Through a PDR, State-approved trainers and organiza�ons can manage educa�onal offerings and issue training comple�on cer�ficates to par�cipants.

TCC’s Professional Development Registry System does all this and maximizes efficiency for all users by automa�ng various workflow processes, such as career la�ce level requests, approved trainer requests and training registra�on, and a�endance tracking.

Track the professional profile of all early childhood workforce, including teachers, directors and approved trainers and training organiza�ons.

Through Ascend’s PDR, all registry members can maintain their professional profile, including training, educa�on, cer�fica�ons, scholarship and grants, work history, and career ladder status. Members can also upload suppor�ng documenta�on like cer�ficates of comple�on and easily print training transcripts at any �me.

Tracking Professional Development Among Early Childhood Caregivers

Knowledge is Power

TCC | 16

Data Visualiza�on

In this digital world, it is important to communicate informa�on clearly and efficiently. Data visualiza�on tools and analy�cs products use sta�s�cal graphs, plots and informa�on graphics to process, analyze and communicate data. U�lizing data visualiza�on tools gives states the ability to tell a powerful story about their early childhood programs, workforce, and families and children. Because Ascend is an agnos�c system, it is compa�ble with mul�ple data analy�cs and visualiza�on tools. TCC can integrate data analy�cs tools, including Microso�’s Power BI and Tableau, into our Ascend solu�on to provide advanced data analy�cs capabili�es, and our team of experts can provide specialized guidance and support to state policy makers to ensure they’re ge�ng the most out of their collected data.

Pre-K Management

A family friendly enrollment process is vital to the success of state Pre-K programs. Ascend gives families a friendly applica�on “wizard” to walk them through the online applica�on process. Once completed, family applica�ons are quickly routed for administra�ve review and eligibility approval. Family friendly status no�fica�ons and reminders can be easily customized to send to individuals, defined groups or to all families.

Pre-K program directors have role-based access to enroll approved children at the classroom level. A two-step �me and a�endance process provides addi�onal accountability for services provided. An automated fiscal module allows state users to closely track u�liza�on and adjust allowable enrollment levels accordingly. A wait list feature provides addi�onal flexibility to adjust for enrollment fluctua�ons.

Subsidy Management

Child care subsidy programs provide financial assistance to eligible families in need of assistance with the cost of child care. Families that qualify for these programs must then choose a child care provider that meets certain eligibility standards set by their state, such as Licensed or Accredited Family Care Homes or Child Care Centers. The Subsidy Management Module within the Ascend suite manages eligibility determina�on of child care providers, as well as the enrollment and recer�fica�on of families and children in these state-approved subsidy programs. The Subsidy module calculates subsidy and co-payment amounts according to state policies, and includes a wait list management func�on should the need arise. On the State-side, role-based user access within the module supports workflow management, alerts and customizable correspondence templates. The module can act as a stand-alone system or be integrated with other Ascend modules or state systems.

LOOKING FORWARD: Read more about these modules in our next i ssue

17 | TCC

If you’re interested in more information about TCC or our

available products and services, contact us at info@e-tcc.com or visit us online at www.e-tcc.com.

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