The Power of Partnerships:

Department of Defense Child Care Expansion

Initiative

2012 National Child Care Policy SymposiumNational Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA)

Washington, DCMarch 9, 2012

Broad Interest: Federal and State Levels

• First Lady and Dr. Biden’s national call to action to address the unique challenges facing military families

• Presidential Study Directive on Military Families urging federal agencies to work together to support military families• Increased the synergy of the partnerships

between DoD, USDA, and ACF• Military Family Caucuses• State interest in QRIS/other quality initiatives

DoD’s Child Care Initiative - Why

• Two-thirds of those stationed in the United States do not live on an installation

• Many Reserve Component families live in remote areas and long distances from an installation

DoD’s Child Care Initiative - What

• To address child care availability and quality for:• geographically dispersed Guard and

Reserve families • active duty members who are unable to

access care on the installation

DoD’s Child Care Initiative - Where

AlaskaWashington

California

Texas Florida

North Carolina

VirginiaDelaware

Vermont

ColoradoKansas

IndianaKentucky

DoD’s Child Care Initiative - How

• A Child Care Liaison in each of the pilot states will serve a single point of contact • Develop a strategic plan that will guide

efforts in regulatory, non-regulatory, and legislative focus areas

• Forge new partnerships, strengthen existing partnerships

• Support efforts for legislative and rules changes, as appropriate

• Facilitate delivery of training resources

DoD’s Child Care Initiative – How

• In addition to the Child Care Liaison, states are supported by an Educator from the Land Grant University System • University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is lead• Provide access to evidence-based, research

informed materials• Responsible for providing specific training and

technical assistance opportunities• Facilitate partnerships with Cooperative Extension

System in counties throughout the state

DoD's Child Care Initiative

• Strategic Plan created for each state• Input from state stakeholders/use of tools:

• DoD ERIS (Effectiveness Rating and Improvement System) Standards

• State Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) • State Child Care Licensing Regulations• Richard Fiene, Ph.D. – 13 Indicators of Quality Child Care• We Can Do Better and Leaving Children to Chance reports

(NACCRRA)• UNL – Training & Technical Assistance Environmental Scan • NACCRRA Training & Technical Assistance Overview

DoD's Child Care Initiative

Markers of Progress

• Legislative/Policy Wins (with Defense State Liaison Office) • 17 pieces of legislation in 2011

• Recommendations for Child Care Rule/Regulation Change – • Kansas and Washington adopted recommendations

• Training Implementation with Focus on Sustainability

Training and Technical Assistance

Evidence based programs selected for initial training implementation:

• Better Kid Care• Online and Instructor Modules

• Rock Solid Social Emotional Foundations• Getting Started in Family Child Care• I am Moving, I am Learning• Series 3 Online• Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

Training Opportunities

Multiple Delivery Systems:• Training of Trainers• Face-to-Face• On-line

Sustainability Plan

• Strategic plans in place, guiding the planning for sustainability

• Trainers ready and available to continue training of providers

• Statewide partnerships including Land Grant University System and Cooperative Extension System

Small Group Session

• Three Sessions

• 15 minutes per session• 10:50-11:05 Group 1• 11:10-11:25 Group 2• 11:30-11:45 Group 3

Small Group Session

• Professional Development - Assessment • Professional Development - Changing state

structure • Teaching Methods - Train the Trainer• Teaching Methods - On-line Learning • Partnerships - New Pathways • Partnerships - Developing Sustainability