Transition Talk with ELC,
Good afternoon,
Transition Talk with ELC,
Good afternoon,
I have met with and reached out to many of you over the past year, but I wanted to take this opportunity to formally introduce myself. I work with the fantastic team at the Coalition to ensure our parents, providers and community members are up to date with the current services at the Coalition and recent news regarding early learning. From the latest legislative action, to alerting our elected officials, to highlighting success stories at your child care center, I handle the internal and external communication within the Coalition.
I am here to also update you regarding the on-going transition as the Coalition implements a “No Wrong Door” service delivery model. When you see the subject line Transition Talk with ELC,please be on the lookout for a wealth of valuable information regarding the transition.
As you were previously informed, we are moving quickly to implement our new service delivery model which includes: Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R), Provider Payments, as well as Child Enrollment and Eligibility for the School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten and Children Services Council Scholarships. We will also be able to assist in what criteria will be needed when you enroll your child in Early Head Start and Head Start.
Our model will deliver these services using community-based neighborhood locations in the highest served areas, with additional staff reaching out in the community to complete mobile onsite eligibility determinations and enrollments.
With your feedback from the Coalition’s recent Focus Groups conducted by Chelsea Reinhart, Director of Quality Programs, we have compiled a list of Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ’s) which will be updated monthly on our website. We want to first thank each of you who participated in the focus groups. Although we can’t adjust all requests, please know we take your feedback seriously. Here are some of the concerns and questions that many of you had brought up during the focus groups.
Child Care Resource and Referral
Where can I find out information about all the current services provided by the Coalition?
Providers can always look at our website: elcpalmbeach.org, there is a special section for our providers, which includes our quarterly meetings, what is needed to become a school readiness provider, trainings, information on developmental screenings and so much more. Providers can also always find useful information on our Facebook page. We are also on TWITTER!
What groups will each center serve once the locations are established for the transition?
Each center will serve all children, regardless of which location they signed up. With our innovative data system, we will have access to the secure data of our clients at any of the locations.
If you are a parent where can they find information about the Coalition?
Parents can find useful information about the programs on our website as well. We have devoted an entire section to address parents’ needs. They will also be informed about the transition through advertisements throughout the community. We hope our providers will also pass along the useful information as we update you.
Customer Service
How is customer service going to improve?
When our new service model is fully implemented, our Coalition staff will be trained in all programs/services that are offered. Our staff will participate in internal Child Care and Resource and Referral (CCR&R) trainings as well. In order to streamline services, we will have the most up to date, innovative technology system in place. This will allow our counselors to work more with our clients instead of being bogged down with paperwork. Our atmosphere at the Coalition is one that is reliable, respectful and ready to get Palm Beach children ready to register.
Will there be a call center in place?
Yes we will be implementing a call center to ensure your questions and concerns are responded in a timely manner.
Will there be a change in time regarding when a provider is terminated?
The time of terminating a contract is set by state regulated rules and guidelines. There is local control by the coalitions but it is based on the information determined in your individualized contract.
Provider Portal
Is there a way to show the VPK attendance by class or alphabetically and by coded by color?
We have looked into it and it is cost prohibited at the present time. We will continue to see what other adjustments might be feasible by the fall.
Sometimes it takes me a lot of time when I enter information through the portal, is there a way to speed up the time?
We are currently working with the developer of the portal to see how we can assist with the process of the bandwidth, which assists with the timing of the system. We will be sure to update you by the fall on the progress.
Can you make the editing process easier by uploading the ASQ through the portal?
We are currently looking into a variety of options including the portal and other data systems. We will continue to update you as decisions are finalized.
Assurance
Where can I access my monitoring checklist?
After a School Readiness, VPK and/or CSC monitoring, the checklist will be uploaded into the provider portal in the miscellaneous folder within a week of your monitoring. Once the checklist is uploaded, an email will be sent to let you know it is available.
Where can I find out about the monitoring process and what to expect?
All documentation used during onsite monitoring is available at the Coalition’s website at . The documentation includes the checklists, the document request form, Tip Sheets, as well as the Sign In/Out Sheet Manual. There are also Agreement Overview Trainings for both School Readiness and VPK that explain what to expect during an onsite monitoring.
Will there be changes to the onsite monitoring for the new fiscal year?
Yes, the Office of Early Learning created a new statewide School Readiness Monitoring tool. The monitoring tool is currently in the revision process and mirrors the requirements outlined in the new statewide School Readiness contract. We will provide specific information about the changes once the tool is approved by the state.
Payments
How are pay rates determined for providers?
We know how hard our providers work to implement early education to our children. The rate of payments is determined by the Office of Early Learning market rate and the rate is determined by the Coalition. We take in consideration the waitlist as well. The rate of pay is balanced with the rate of those we serve. We monitor our payments annually and our payments are among the highest in the state of Florida.
Do we get more than 6 holidays a year?
Yes you do! Providers have a total of 12 holidays annually. 6 are determined by the Coalition, while the other 6 are selected by the provider.
Can we change the time of the payment?
The Coalition is still reviewing the process for reimbursement. At this time, the payments will remain the same as the current fiscal year. If any accommodations can be made, you will be notified by email as well as on our website.
*We will be updating these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and they can be found on our website as well under Providers. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Thank you for your patience and dedication,