Overview of the Guide
The CCDF Plan is a key public document that describes how a Lead Agency will operate its program to meet CCDF regulatory requirements, and it is essential to OCC's oversight of CCDF implementation. Each section of the CCDF Plan is addressed in the guide, including highlights of what is important to address as states and territories develop their Plan, and insights from the CCDF Preamble that provide additional context.
The Fundamentals of CCDF Resource Guide provides in-depth information as well as links to additional resources from OCC and the national TA centers.
Introduction to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)The CCDF Plan is a key public document that describes how a Lead Agency will operate its program to meet CCDF regulatory requirements, and it is essential to OCC's oversight of CCDF implementation. Each section of the CCDF Plan is addressed in the guide, including highlights of what is important to address as states and territories develop their Plan, and insights from the CCDF Preamble that provide additional context.
Define CCDF Leadership and Coordination with Relevant SystemsThis section identifies the leadership for the CCDF program in each Lead Agency and the entities and individuals who will participate in the implementation of the program. It also identifies the stakeholders that were consulted to develop the Plan and who the Lead Agency collaborates with to implement services.
Promote Family Engagement through Outreach and Consumer EducationIn this section, Lead Agencies address how information is made available to families, the general public, and child care providers to assist them in accessing high-quality child care, and how information is shared on other financial assistance programs or supports for which a family might be eligible. Lead Agencies report how information can be provided to parents through the child care assistance system, partner agencies, and child care consumer education websites.
Provide Stable Child Care Financial Assistance to FamiliesIn this section, Lead Agencies identify how they define eligible children and families and how the Lead Agency improves access for vulnerable children and families. This section also addresses the policies that protect working families and determine a family’s contribution to the child care payment.
Ensure Equal Access to Child Care for Low-Income ChildrenThis section addresses strategies that the Lead Agency uses to promote parental choice, ensure equal access, and increase the supply of child care while addressing building the supply of child care for all families and supporting equal access for CCDF eligible children.
Establish Standards and Monitoring to Ensure Health and SafetyAs part of the CCDF Plan, Lead Agencies are required to certify that there are in effect licensing requirements applicable to all child care services in the state or territory, which supports the health and safety of all children in child care. Lead Agencies must describe how licensing exemptions do not endanger the health, safety, and development of CCDF children in license-exempt care. Comprehensive background check requirements are included in this section of the guide.
Recruit and Retain a Qualified and Effective Child Care WorkforceThis section provides a description of strategies used to strengthen the business practices of child care providers, and addresses early learning and developmental guidelines. States and territories describe their framework for training, professional development, and post-secondary education for caregivers, teachers, and directors, including those working in school-age care.
Support Continuous Quality ImprovementThis section covers the quality activities needs assessment, which of the 10 quality improvement activities a Lead Agency is investing in, and indicators of progress for each of the activities undertaken in the state or territory.
Ensure Grantee Program Integrity and AccountabilityIn this section, Lead Agencies are required to describe internal controls that ensure integrity and accountability while maintaining the continuity of services. This guide includes topics on internal controls to ensure integrity and accountability and processes in place to investigate and recover fraudulent payments and to impose sanctions on clients or providers in response to fraud.