ROBIN SEARLES, MS, RD

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Networking with State QRSfor Improved Child Care

• ROBIN SEARLES, MS, RD
• CONSULTANT
• IOWA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
• USDA MPRO STATE AGENCY MEETING
• MISSOULA , MT
• 10/7/2009

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• Started March 2006
• Iowas Quality Rating System (QRS)
• Voluntary child care rating system for
• Child development homes
• Licensed child care centers
• Preschools
• Child care programs operated by school districts.

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• The QRS was developed
• to raise the quality of child care in Iowa
• to increase the number of children in
  high-quality child care settings
• to educate parents about quality in child care

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• Five levels 
• Level 1  all Level 1 criteria must be met. 
• Level 2  all Level 1 and 2 criteria must be
  met. 
• Levels 3-5  all Level 1 and 2 criteria must be
  met, and
• At least one point must be earned in each Level
  3-5 category
• Level determined by total points earned. 

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• Quality Levels 1 and 2
• Level 1-
• Provider is registered with the Department of
  Human Services.
• Level 2 ( Level 1 Requirements)-
• Completes and maintains ChildNet certification
• Participates in federal food program (CACFP)
• Completes IDPH Child Care Business--Partnership
  Agreement.
• Completes IDPH Home Child Care Center
  Director/Owner Survey.
• Completes a self-assessment of own professional
  development
• Writes professional development plan

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• The following number points are required to reach
  Levels 3-5. At least one point must be earned
  from each category.
• Level Minimum points required
• 3 7
• 4 12
• 5 16
•  

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• QRS Achievement Bonuses
• Based on licensed capacity
•  

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• Determining a Rating
• Complete an application
• Submit application and documentation
• Certificate is mailed
• Rating is for two years
•  

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• Why Require CACFP Participation?
• 2003 Midwest Iowa Child Care Study
• Predictors of good quality care
• Formal education of caregiver
• Level of training in last year
• CACFP participation
• Credential in early care and education
• Accreditation
• Higher caregiver salary and benefits

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• Iowas Additional Reasons
• More professional contact
• 3 x/yr (homes)
• Ensure quality nutrition
• Enhanced business practices

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• Documentation
• of CACFP Participation for Centers
• Print Go Menu that lists CACFP approval date
• Can attach claim information
• If not eligible, a letter from Department of Ed
• For profits with lt25 free and reduced
• Stating that meals for the child care are
  claimed under NSLP
•  

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Documentation of CACFP Participation
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Three Year Approvals-Show Claim Summary
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• Documentation
• of CACFP Participation for Homes
• Certificate from CACFP Home Sponsor

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Exemptions

• DE writes exemption letters for
• For Profit Centers
• Meals Claimed by NSLP
• Snack Only Programs

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For-Profit Centers

• Eligibility-For Profit Centers
• Center contacts DE about the CACFP
• We ask if for-profit or non-profit
• If for profit
• Center distributes income applications to all
  families enrolled
• Application
• Parent letter
• Income Eligibility Guidelines
• Summary
• Completes summary
• Returns to Dept of Ed if lt25 free and reduced
• Contacts our office for application info if gt25

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For-Profit Center Letters

• Thank you for your interest in the Child and
  Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). At least 25 of
  children enrolled or 25 of licensed capacity,
  whichever is less, must be eligible for free or
  reduced price meal benefits in order for a
  for-profit center to be eligible to participate
  on the CACFP. I have received the 25
  Documentation Form you filled out to determine
  the percentage of eligible children at your
  center.
•  
• According the information you submitted 0
  children out of 138 (0) licensed capacity and 0
  of 96 enrolled children (0) were eligible for
  free or reduced price benefits. Therefore, your
  center does not qualify for the CACFP at this
  time.
•  
• If you believe you are eligible in the future
  and want to participate on the CACFP, you may
  conduct and resubmit a 25 Documentation survey
  at any time. The income applications submitted
  by the families are effective for one year.
• If you are eligible at that time, contact us we
  will send you a CACFP application. You must also
  attend the CACFP Steps to Success Workshop and
  receive a pre-approval visit from a State
  consultant in order to participate on CACFP.

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Meals Claimed Under NSLP

• This letter is to confirm the participation of
  the Riverside Community School District on the
  National School Lunch Program. According to the
  information you provided, the meals served by the
  Riverside Childcare Center are received from the
  school and claimed on the National School Lunch
  Program.
•  
• When meals served to children in the child care
  center are claimed through the National School
  Lunch Program, the center is not eligible to
  participate on the Child and Adult Care Food
  Program.

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Snack Only Programs

• Thank you for your interest in the Child and
  Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We do not
  recommend that your preschool participate on the
  CACFP since you serve snack only. You are
  therefore exempt from CACFP participation as a
  requirement for the Quality Rating System (QRS).

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Is CACFP Participation Worth It?

• The claim
• We would lose money if we participated.
• It costs more to administer than we would get in
  reimbursement.
• Cost to administer CACFP
• 4-10 hr/mo _at_7.25-15/hr35-161/mo
• (includes 1.45 hr training/yr for 5 staff)

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Is CACFP Participation Worth It?

• The data

0 free
5 free
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Additional Exemption

• Independent Non-Profit Centers
• Meet 2 of these 4 criteria
• 0-5 eligible for free or reduced
• lt30 Licensed capacity
• lt 2 Meals served/day
• lt 3 Days/week program

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Growth in CACFP