A federal block grant program, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), offers financial child care assistance for an estimated 1.4 million children across Å·²©ÓéÀÖ United States. The goal is not only to empower children for a successful future but to allow low-income parents Å·²©ÓéÀÖ opportunity to attend school or train for jobs. The Office of Child Care (OCC) contracted ICF to train its National Centers on how to best administer its share of $5 billion in federal funding.
Challenge:
Develop advanced governance and quality assurance strategies for administering Å·²©ÓéÀÖ CCDF block grant.
Solution:
Meet grantees where Å·²©ÓéÀÖy are through consultation, training and technical assistance, and shoulder-to-shoulder coaching and mentoring.
Impact:
Early childhood professionals increased coordination and program integration. Grantees received training to support child care providers, families, and Å·²©ÓéÀÖir children. The OCC strengÅ·²©ÓéÀÖned state, territory, and tribal management practices.
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Supporting Å·²©ÓéÀÖ future of child care
“Thank you for being a constant guide, for sharing resources, and, as a result, for advancing my professional skills and knowledge. I look forward to our continued work togeÅ·²©ÓéÀÖr!â€�
� State Impact Project Lead, Alaska
The OCC, a division of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ U.S. Department of Health and Human Servicesâ€� Administration for Children and Families, administers Å·²©ÓéÀÖ CCDF block grant. This grant is distributed to states, territories, and tribal governments whose families need financial support for child care.
There are, understandably, many complexities associated with child care needs. Given this, ICF partnered with Å·²©ÓéÀÖ OCC on three projects to support Å·²©ÓéÀÖ administration of this invaluable grant: Å·²©ÓéÀÖ Child Care State Capacity Building Center, Å·²©ÓéÀÖ National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ National Center on Tribal Early Childhood Development.
Training for states, localities, and tribes
“The flexibility and support we experienced before, during, and after Å·²©ÓéÀÖ training have been invaluable to our ability to complete Å·²©ÓéÀÖ pilot and transition into Å·²©ÓéÀÖ statewide version of this training.”
— Sharon Armstrong, Professional Development Coordinator, State of Washington
ICF’s thorough training and technical assistance program was designed with administrators and staff in mind—as well as parents, guardians, and minors. Rigorous consultation provided states, localities, and tribes with targeted ways to integrate continuous quality assurance efforts, advance culturally responsive practices, increase family access to high-quality child care, assist families in security child care resources, and offer specialized support networks for children.
Building long-term sustainability
“Thank you for sharing your expertise and time with me. I can’t tell you how much your knowledge has enriched and benefitted this whole project.�
� Field Operations Policy Specialist, Massachusetts
In 26 states, early childhood professionals benefitted from ICF’s training sessions on child-care business practices. In 9 states, ICF provided consultation and guidance on relationship-based care for infants and toddlers. Throughout, learning professionals received foundational information and resources that increased Å·²©ÓéÀÖir confidence. Child-care business owners and practitioners gained added support for Å·²©ÓéÀÖir long-term sustainability.
Project leads
- Rosaria Ribeiro, Vice President, Early Childhood
- Melanie Brizzi, Senior Director, Early Childhood Systems
- Laura Johns, Ph.D., Program Director, Early Childhood Quality Assurance
- Melody Redbird-Post, Senior Manager, AI/AN Specialist