QRIS 2013 Program Quality Improvement Grant Applicant Technical Assistance and Support Meetings February 2013 Wendy Valentine, M.Ed. Director, Early Education Partnerships Project Manager, QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley
Background Information EEC formally began developing its Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) during the spring of 2008 QRIS is a method to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education and after-school settings EEC fully implemented the Massachusetts QRIS in January 2011
Brain Building in Progress The work of the EEC is steeped in the notion that brain building is in progress for young children in enriching environments with caring adults and meaningful and engaging interactions. The latest science shows that these early experiences actually build the architecture of the developing brain; much like a house is built from the bottom up. We know that children's earliest experiences are especially important because building the human brain begins even before birth; a strong foundation in early years greatly increases the chance of positive outcomes.
National QRIS Implementation
EEC and United Way The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and have partnered together to support and strengthen the capacity of early education and out of school time program leaders to identify, prioritize, and implement improvements that move them forward in the state s Quality Rating Improvement System This grant application s purpose is to provide QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants to all eligible programs/educators in the mixed delivery system to make program improvements, in pursuit of upward progress on the levels defined in the QRIS system
Goals QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grant is intended to offer funding to support programs to advance towards a higher level on the QRIS system Support programs/educators to engage in a process of continuous quality improvement Enhance outcomes for all children in Massachusetts, especially those populations most at risk
Eligible Grant Applicants Be part of EEC s mixed delivery system Currently be serving at least one child receiving financial assistance Submit a final self-assessed QRIS level 1, 2, 3, or 4 application Participate in the Massachusetts Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR) Be in good licensing and fiscal standing with the state Programs must complete all grant submission requirements including: Complete online grant application by 3-8-2013 Submit required documents by mail by 2-25-2013
Funding Type Eligibility Programs/educators at QRIS Level 1 are eligible for the program planning funding only. Programs/educators at QRIS Levels 2, 3, and 4 are eligible for program planning funding or durable goods and services funding. Level 4 programs are only eligible to apply for grant funding that will assist them to meet QRIS standards for which they have submitted an exemption.
QRIS Participation Programs applying for grant funding are required to participate in the Massachusetts QRIS Required to submit a printed copy of their Program Improvement Plan and copy of the program s QRIS Summary of Application Profile from the online QRIS showing self-assessed level, QRIS number, and status as Final-Submitted to EEC with this grant application. Programs that do not complete a self-assessment and assign a rating under the QRIS Standards prior to February 15, 2013 will not be eligible for grant funding under this grant opportunity
PQR Participation Programs applying for grant funding are required to participate in the Massachusetts Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR) per EEC Licensing Regulations All educators in the program will need to be active in the registry Access the PQR at https://www.eec.state.ma.us/pqregistry
Recommended Training Foundations of the QRIS is an online course The free online training is provided in a series of six modules found at: http://wheelock.educommons.net/courses Will offer insights and best practices for advancing a program s quality on the QRIS system Available in: English, Cantonese, Khmer, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish
Funding Funds Type: Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant (RTTT-ELCG) Funds Source: Federal Fund use for this initiative must be aligned directly with the purchase resources that will allow an educator/program to advance on the QRIS system All funds from this grant must be expended, and products/services received by grantees, by September 30, 2013
Funding Allocation This is a rolling grant application process Submission of an application does not guarantee that your program will be awarded a grant Proposals will be accepted for consideration beginning 2-15- 2013 and reviewed on an ongoing basis; no proposal for this round of funding will be accepted after 4:00 p.m. on 3-8-2013 Proposals for funding that meet all the grant eligibility requirements will be evaluated While grant proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis, when multiple applications are being considered at one time United Way, in collaboration with EEC, will ensure funding is allocated in a manner which ensures diversity in terms of geographic and program/educator type representation to the extent possible based on the applications received
Reimbursement All funds awarded to a program/educator will be paid on a reimbursement basis If an applicant is approved for funding, the program/educator must purchase the services or goods and, after receiving the services or goods, submit evidence of their out-of-pocket expenses for reimbursement Educators/programs are encouraged to request reimbursement in a timely manner as soon as funds are fully expended Only one request for reimbursement may be submitted
Online Grant Application The online grant application will open on or about 2-15-2013 Programs are asked to: 1. Provide program and financial information 2. Identify program needs linked to QRIS self assessment and standards 3. Propose purchases or expenditures 4. Identify plan for implementation 5. Request funds for purchases or expenditures
Timeline 2-1-2013 Grant Application Request for Proposals Released 2-11-2013 => 2-19-2013 Applicant Technical Assistance & Support Meetings 2-15-2013 Online Grant Application Opens 2-23-2013 All Questions must be submitted in writing 2-25-2013 All mailed documents required by the grant application must be postmarked by this date 3-1-2013 All mailed documents required by the grant application must be received 3-8-2013 Grant Application Closes 3-29-2013 List of Grant Recipients Posted 9-30-2013 All goods and services purchased by grantees with these grant funds must be received and accepted 10-15-2013 Final Outcomes and Measures Form must be completed online and all requests for reimbursement must be received by this date
Submission Instructions 2-25-2013 at is the deadline for submission of documents (must be received by 3-1-2013) 3-8-2013 at 4:00 pm is the deadline for completion of online grant application Grant application must be completed online Submit signed copies of required documents by mail as directed in the online application Applicants who do not complete the online grant application and submit documentation will not be considered for funding
Required Application Forms Must be mailed and postmarked by 2-25-2013: Completed Document Cover Page A signed Commonwealth Terms & Conditions form A signed W-9 with DUNS # A signed Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing A signed Executive Order 504 Certification A signed Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act A signed RTTT Certification Regarding Lobbying A copy of a valid EEC License (required for licensed programs) OR signed Acknowledgement of Meeting EEC Licensing Standards (required for license-exempt programs) QRIS Summary of Application Profile from EEC s QPM Professional Qualifications Registry Summary Page Detailed Schedule Form (required for Individual Program Planning Funding only)
Required Forms for Lead Agencies Completed Document Cover Page A signed Commonwealth Terms & Conditions form A signed W-9 with DUNS # A signed Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing A signed Executive Order 504 Certification A signed Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act A signed RTTT Certification Regarding Lobbying
Contact Information Grant Application - questions may be directed to QRIS@supportunitedway.org for Q&A Online Grant Application technical questions use help function within application or may be directed to QRIS@supportunitedway.org Recommended Training technical questions on the training and registration may be directed to case@wheelock.edu EEC QRIS Program Manager - technical questions about the on-line QRIS application and self-assessment may be directed to your EEC Regional QRIS Contact
Regional QRIS contacts Western, MA Regional Office Christine Davidson 413-881-1539 Central, MA Regional Office Joyce Fulmer 508-461-1446 Northeast Regional Office Jamie Carragher 978-826-1302 Southeast, Cape and the Island s Regional Office Anne Hemmer 508-967-3413 Metro Boston Regional Office Cheryl McLellan 617-979-8601 Central Office Gwen Alexander 617-988-7812
Questions? Thank you for participating in this Applicant Technical Assistance and Support Meeting