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Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) agencies are required to consider cost information when setting payment rates. Many meet these by doing a narrow cost analysis. This three-part series of issue briefs includes helpful information on: (1) Defining narrow cost analysis; (2) Approaches to narrow cost analysis including cost models and cost surveys; and (3) Using a narrow cost analysis to inform payment rates. These resources can help OST leaders understand how CCDF is moving toward the true cost of quality, equitable staff compensation, and increasing payment rates. This resource addresses equity.
The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST) developed a map of OST programs and the relationship with population density, poverty, and Social Vulnerability Index in Virginia as a way to highlight gaps in the availability of programs. The OST Access Map project is now being used as an advocacy tool to expand access to more children. This project could serve as a model for other states.
The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with the National League of Cities, has created a map and a chart that shows where states, cities, and school districts are investing COVID-19 relief funds. The charts show how funds are being used, including American Rescue Plan, ESSER III, and local recovery funds. The majority of funds are being used to increase access to afterschool and summer programs, and in addition for teen jobs programs, technology, and staff supports.
For the first time, this analysis of America After 3PM data provides an in-depth look at the afterschool experiences of Native American children and youth, including the availability of afterschool programs, qualities Native American parents care most about in afterschool programs, and potential areas of growth for the afterschool field to reach more Native American young people.
This Bipartisan Policy Center webinar explores what cost modeling is and how it can inform investments in child care. Experts highlight why both cost modeling and market rate surveys are useful to increase the access, quality, and sustainability of the child care sector. It includes examples from IL, MA, and DC. There is an associated report, Charting the Path Forward for Child Care: Using Cost Modeling to Design New Solutions.
The Provider Cost of Quality Calculator (PCQC) helps providers estimate the annual costs and revenue of operating a center or home-based child care program at different quality levels. The calculator can help evaluate rate changes, sliding fee scales, benefits, and salary scenarios. In addition, there is a user guide to support the estimation process here https://childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/resource/provider-cost-quality-calculator-user-guide
On December 15, 2022, the National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment hosted the “Equitable Strategies to Support the Out-of-School Time Workforce” webinar to share strategies and resources that can support a strong and diverse afterschool, home-based child care, and summer workforce. Examples shared were from both a national and local perspective and explored funding and policies that are designed to respond to workforce challenges.
The Center for Law and Policy has created this list of state-by-state increases for FY 2023 CCDBG appropriations. The Ominibus Bill includes $8 billion in total annual discretionary funds for CCDBG, which represents a 30 percent increase, providing an opportunity to respond to increased needs and ensure funding keeps up with rising inflation. This is the second largest increase in history of CCDBG.
In this series of reports, Child Care Aware of America explores child care challenges and how to accelerate needed changes to offer accessible, affordable, and quality care. The first report provides state-by-state information on Supply and Quality Trends. In this first report, some states provide data on the number of school-age only programs or spaces, as well as centers and FCC homes and QRIS participation. The second report looks at Price of Care, and although it doesn't include school-age costs, it captures that the cost of early childhood care is exceeding the rise in inflation.
The State of California has allocated an unprecedented sum of $4.6 billion in one-time relief and $3.4 billion in permanent funding to expand afterschool and summer learning opportunities. This report provides an historical perspective on how their advocacy efforts planted seeds for more sustainable state investment by building relationships and partnerships with community-based providers, state and federal agencies, and legislators and through strategic communication. The lessons from CA are relevant for other city and state intermediaries who would like to increase city and state investment in afterschool and summer. There is a companion webinar that can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYhNnEijWxk