Program Support
The Program Support Unit within the Division provides developmental services to child-care programs, staff and parents through several methods. Developing and implementing new programs for young children includes expanding currently operating programs and improving all child-care programs. The professional developmental activities include training and technical assistance services which encourage and ensure quality child-care services for young children. The professional and program developmental activities are inherent to ensuring quality child care for Arkansas children. Specific program activities include:
BASIC ORIENTATION COURSE FOR CHILD-CARE STAFF/CHILD-CARE ORIENTATION TRAINING (CCOT)
Developed through the Vocation-Technical Education Division (now Department of Workforce Education), funding is provided by DCC&ECE to support basic health/safety and orientation training to new staff and providers in child-care. The training system utilizes secondary vocational centers, post-secondary vocational schools, technical colleges, colleges, and universities as training sites throughout the state. There is no charge for the 20-hour course.
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PROGRAM |
PROGRAM
MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
|
CHILD-CARE ORIENTATION TRAINING |
Number of
Persons Enrolled |
916 |
739 |
1,049 |
1,066 |
1,172 |
|
|
Percentage
of Persons Completing the 10 Modules |
56% |
50% |
46% |
52% |
55% |
|
|
Number of
Sites Providing Training |
22 |
20 |
42 |
49 |
59 |
|
|
Number of
Classes |
70 |
53 |
77 |
78 |
88 |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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Grants are made available to providers for the purchase of equipment, materials and supplies to enhance program quality and assist with maintaining licensing standards. Providers must demonstrate age-appropriate immunizations for all children in care to qualify for grants. Grants are available to assist newly operating programs as start-up resources and to improve the quality of care provided in child-care settings in the state.
In 1999-00, total grants awarded of $520,775 affected the care of 18,483 children in licensed and registered child-care settings. Forty-seven (47) grants were awarded for newly established programs to assist in start-up support for expansion of capacity of care. Care was increased by 1,388 children in these locations.
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-26 |
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PROGRAM |
PROGRAM
MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
|
ENHANCEMENT GRANTS |
Percentage
of Grant Applications Approved |
74% (730) |
76% (748) |
74% (649) |
76% (699) |
82% (523) |
|
|
Percentage
of Grant Applications Denied |
26% |
24% |
26% (144) |
24% (217) |
18% (116) |
|
|
Percentage
of Denied Applications Which Are Due to Incomplete Immunization Audits |
50% |
78% |
96% (138) |
48% (104) |
62% (72) |
|
|
Percentage
of Approved Grants Which Are Used to Correct Licensing Deficiencies (Outdoor,
Indoor, eg.) |
15% |
16% |
10% (63) |
37% (259) |
59% (304) |
Training grants are available to assist providers
in accessing training for CPR and Red Cross Safety. CPR training is required
for licensure and this grant assists providers in paying for this required
training. Four hundred twenty-six (426)
child-care providers accessed CPR/Red Cross training through support from the
DCC&ECE.
Scholarships are made available to individuals
working in child-care programs to assist in training which leads to
certification under the Child Development Associate Credential. This nationally recognized credential
provides a practicum for child-care workers and assists them in improving the
learning environment for children in care.
Arkansas currently has a total of 2,130 persons with the Child Development Associate Credential. This decrease reflects the turnover in trained staff occurring throughout the state.
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PROGRAM |
PROGRAM MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
|
CDA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
Number of Scholarships Awarded |
N/A |
728 |
1,118 |
510 |
752 |
|
|
Number of New CDA’s in State (Assessments) |
236 |
435 |
528 |
541 |
510 |
|
|
Total CDA’s in State |
N/A |
N/A |
2,092 |
3,114 |
2,130 |
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-27 |
Professional development sessions, seminars, workshops and training opportunities are being funded through the DCC&ECE, allowing child-care professionals throughout the state to participate in improving their skills. Contracts for these professional development activities offer a wide variety of training for all levels of caregivers. Support is also given to on-going associations offering conferences on early childhood issues.
Business management sessions are held in different areas of the state to encourage child-care providers to implement good business practices in their small businesses. Cooperative efforts are encouraged among the participants which include the University of Arkansas (Little Rock and Fayetteville) Small Business Development Centers and the Arkansas Child-Care Providers Association (ACCPA).
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PROGRAM MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
|
Small Business Development Center/Business of Child Care |
N/A |
300 |
325 |
350 |
500 |
Technical assistance is available by
self-referral or referral from the licensing office to all child-care programs
in the state. Childhood Services,
affiliated with Arkansas State University, has established a group of early
childhood professionals to offer this assistance at no charge to providers.
ARKANSAS CHILD-CARE FACILITIES LOAN GUARANTEE FUND
Loan grantees are made to assist with the
development of new facilities or expansion of existing facilities, particularly
in low-income, rural areas that demonstrate a need for additional quality child
care. Guarantees are available to a
maximum of $25,000 and may be used for operating capital, as well as capital
outlay.
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-28 |
ARKANSAS CHILD-CARE FACILITIES GUARANTEE
LOAN FISCAL REPORT
(Comparison By Year)
|
PROGRAM |
Oct. 1, 1993 |
Oct. 1, 1994 |
Oct. 1, 1995 |
Oct. 1, 1996 |
|
Guarantee Fund Investment |
$355,888.37 |
$365,546.72 |
$380,998.03 |
$376,488.53 |
|
Current Total Guarantees In Place (Fund Exposure) |
$183,000.00 |
$141,000.00 |
$151,755.00 |
$125,821.00 |
|
Current Total of Loans Guaranteed |
$354,250.00 |
$301,750.00 |
$446,192.00 |
$431,024.91 |
|
Participating Financial Institutions |
5 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
|
Total Defaults |
$ -0- |
$2,389.62 |
$ -0- |
$ -0- |
|
Capital Reduction (Accrued Interest Applied Before Capital is Accessed) |
$ -0- |
$ -0- |
$ -0- |
$ -0- |
|
Total Guarantee Applications Denied/Rescinded |
$308,445.00 |
$75,000.00 |
$114,900.00 |
$75,000.00 |
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PROGRAM |
Oct. 1, 1997 |
Oct. 1, 1998 |
Oct. 1, 1999 |
Oct. 1, 2000 |
|
Guarantee Fund Investment |
$372,076.51 |
$395,915.72 |
$428,563.19 |
$432,416.50 |
|
Current Total Guarantees in Place (Fund Exposure) |
$84,366.00 |
$80,366.00 |
$77,500.00 |
$103,300.00 |
|
Current Total of Loans Guaranteed |
$372,052.91 |
$183,052.91 |
$179,470.00 |
$266,500.00 |
|
Participating Financial Institutions |
9 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
|
Total Defaults |
$25,000.00 |
$3,950.07 |
$ -0- |
$ -0- |
|
Capital Reduction (Accrued Interest Applied Before Capital is Accessed) |
$ -0- |
$ -0- |
$ -0- |
$ -0- |
|
Total Guarantee Applications Denied/Rescinded |
$120,000.00 |
$277,500.00 |
$277,500.00 |
$216,525.00 |
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-29 |
CHILD-CARE
FACILITIES FUNDING/ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING
DCC&ECE and ADED have a working partnership to assist in the development of quality child-care programs in Arkansas. DCC&ECE provides the pre-application review for ADED to determine the viability of potential child-care projects. ADED provides grant funding for construction or renovation of child-care facilities which will serve a majority of low -to moderate-income children. These grants are available only to city or county governments. During SFY 1999-00, projects for renovation/construction were finalized in the following locations: Augusta, Corning, Hazen, Allport and Batesville.
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PROGRAM |
PROGRAM MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
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ADED |
Number of Projects Approved/Funded |
3 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
Number of Projects Completed |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
The Child-Care Resource Center is a lending
library and resource center for child-care providers throughout the state. All licensed and registered child-care
providers may apply for a user card and will receive a catalog of resources
available. The resource center is
available for use by providers for training and staff development
activities.
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PROGRAM MEASUREMENTS |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
|
Visitors to Arkansas Child Care Resource Center (ACCRC) |
775 |
1,547 |
|
ACCESS materials through1-800 number from ACCRC |
500 |
725 |
For child-care providers outside the central Arkansas area, the 15 Educational Service Cooperatives offer access for early childhood providers to the Teacher Resource Centers. Services available include: access to equipment, materials, books and personnel to assist in developing quality instructional materials. Support for preschool materials/curriculum is provided by DCC&ECE.
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PROGRAM MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
|
Number of Provider Visits to Teacher Centers |
3,104 |
2,000 |
5,424 |
7,228 |
9,028 |
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-30 |
This system identifies programs which demonstrate a quality educational program for young children. Programs which are funded through Arkansas Better Chance funds and programs which receive contract funds through DCC&ECE must comply with the approval standards. Approval as a quality educational program is available for child-care centers and child-care family homes. Programs which meet state or national accreditation standards provide parents access to a refundable tax credit which doubles the state child-care tax credit available through the state tax system.
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PROGRAM |
PROGRAM MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
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APPROVAL SYSTEM |
Percentage of All Licensed Programs Approved |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
9% |
11% |
|
|
Number of Programs Approved |
169 |
265 |
264 |
243 |
297 |
|
|
Percentage of ABC Programs Approved |
75% |
90% |
95% |
97% |
95% |
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Percentage of Child-Care Contracts Approved |
N/A |
N/A |
31.5% |
38% |
37% |
Parents can access information on all
licensed/registered child-care homes and centers by accessing the DCC&ECE
web site at: http://www.accessarkansas.org/childcare/ or through
the 1-800-445-3316 line. All licensed
and registered homes and centers are included in the referral database. This web site also includes information on
all services available throughout the division, including information for
parents on selecting child-care programs.
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PROGRAM |
PROGRAM
MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
Jan-Jun 1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
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CHILD-CARE |
Number of
Requests Received by Phone |
|
|
|
|
|
|
INFORMATION |
1-800
State-wide |
833 |
427 |
525 |
595 |
773 |
|
AND REFERRAL |
North
Central |
N/A |
N/A |
1,314 |
1,665 |
531 |
|
|
North West |
N/A |
N/A |
416 |
1,496 |
1,505 |
|
|
North East |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
320 |
614 |
|
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Number of
Enhanced Referrals Completed |
14 |
18 |
24 |
25 |
10 |
|
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Requests
Generated Through AECC Advertising |
N/A |
166 |
40% |
60% |
70% |
|
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Internet
Usage for R & R |
N/A |
N/A |
7,134 |
171,003 |
311,396 |
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-31 |
ARKANSAS BETTER CHANCE PROGRAMS
DCC&ECE, in cooperation with the Arkansas Department
of Education and the Arkansas State Board of Education, administers the
Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Programs.
Funded by the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, ABC programs are
intended to serve educationally deprived children. Children’s ages range from birth through five years of age. Children are placed in developmentally
appropriate programs, including HIPPY (Home Instruction Program for Preschool
Youngster). Eligible students must have
at least one of the following characteristics:
low-income family, parents with low educational level, low birth weight,
child to a teen mother, a family with a history of substance abuse/addiction,
eligibility for Title I services, eligibility for services under Public Law
99-457, (a family with a history of abuse or neglect, a victim of abuse or
neglect, or have demonstrable developmental delays as identified through an
appropriate screening). ABC programs
are operated by local school districts, Educational Service Cooperatives,
community-based non-profit centers, Head Start programs and University
programs. Services may be home-based,
such as the HIPPY program or Parents as Teachers (PAT), or center-based
programs.
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1998-99 |
1999-00 |
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ARKANSAS BETTER
CHANCE |
TOTAL FUNDS
AVAILABLE |
$10,000,000 |
$10,068,121 |
|
|
Granted to
ABC Programs |
$9,831,879 |
$9,900,000 |
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|
Administration
Cost |
$168,121 |
$168,121 |
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|
(1.7%) |
(1.7%) |
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ABC CLASSROOMS |
Number of
Classrooms |
233 |
239 |
|
Number of
Children Served |
3,389 |
4,521 |
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|
ABC HIPPY |
Number of
Sites |
31 |
32 |
|
Number of
Children Served |
4,310 |
4,321 |
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ABC SUMMER PROGRAMS |
Number of
Classrooms |
75 |
0 |
|
Number of
Children Served |
1,132 |
0 |
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PROGRAM |
PROGRAM MEASUREMENTS |
1995-96 |
1996-97 |
1997-98 |
1998-99 |
1999-00 |
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ARKANSASBETTER CHANCE |
Percentage of Programs Achieving Approval Status |
75% |
90% |
95% |
97% |
95% |
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Percentage of Programs Placed on Program Improvement Plan |
5% |
10% |
5% |
3% |
5% |
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-32 |
QUALITY INITIATIVE PILOT PROJECTS
One-year demonstration projects beginning July 1,
2000, financed through CCDF quality improvement funds, were solicited through a
competitive process. The programs,
focused in specific concept areas, will keep detailed records of program
implementation processes and develop replication manuals for distribution to
others wanting to develop similar programs in their communities.
Mentoring/Support Programs
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ASU Childhood Services |
Develop system of mentoring; identify group of
mentor trainers; and design infant/toddler, pre-school and family home
self-study modules. |
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Paris Schools |
Rural quality approved program serving birth to
five-year-olds will serve as model site for new rural caregivers/directors
and produce a resource guide for other schools and centers. |
Pre-Employment
Training
|
ASU Childhood Services |
New employees participate in
quality training and then at lab sites deepen understanding while gaining
skills. Mentors recruited/paired with
new employees. |
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North Arkansas College |
Individuals who want to enter
the childcare field, but feel they do not have the skills needed, will
receive intensive training and work in child-care settings for field
experience. |
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Presbyst. Urban Council |
Special trainers will mentor
new family child-care providers, demonstrating teaching
styles and activities appropriate for infants and toddlers through weekly visits. |
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Univ. of Ark. Fayetteville |
Establish laboratory schools
to provide high quality training for entry-level child care staff from local
providers. Substitute referral list
to provide staff release time. |
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Reduction
Infant/Toddler Ratios
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Paragould Schools |
Individualize goals, Creative
Curriculum training, self-study leading to national accreditation, invite
staff from other centers to join their on-site CDA training class. |
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UAMS - ARCARES |
Evaluate improvements in
quality of care that result from implementing a high quality program and
effects on high-risk infants and toddlers. |
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UAMS ECCO Child Dev. |
Establish a stable, reliable
Volunteer Corps. In addition to
initial training, volunteers placed with an experienced mentor. |
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-33 |
Program
Support
QUALITY INITIATIVE PILOT PROJECTS (continued)
Reduction
Staff Turnover
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ASU Dept. of Elem. Educ. |
Professional development
through "smorgasbord" approach--select activities for their
needs--maintain portfolios to be evaluated--receive recognition for
accomplishments. |
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Foothills Technical Inst. |
Combination of tuition
scholarships and incentives promote participation in professional development experiences by staff in licensed
child-care facilities |
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School-Age
Initiatives
|
ASU Childhood Services |
Method to assist school-age
programs with accreditation--support network for programs, self-study
modules, public presentation and informational pamphlets. |
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Siloam Springs CDC |
After-school program for
children's social, personal, and academic needs--family resource
center--materials, videos and seminars. |
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UAMS - ARCARES |
Demonstration/evaluation of
steps taken, barriers, resources, sample forms, policies and procedures
related to achievement of quality programming and accreditation. |
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Vilonia School District |
District-wide after-school
program designed to virtually eliminate "latch-key"
children--monthly family offerings through technology and literacy open
houses. |
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YWCA of El Dorado |
Collaboration efforts allowing
the school district and the YWCA to develop a comprehensive after-school
enrichment program for children in the community. |
Source: Program
Support Unit
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AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2000 |
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2-34 |