July 2009- Industry in Transition
Well stating that 2009 has marked a season of changes for all childcare providers in our state would be an understatement. Below you will see the proposed rules changes as well as notice of public hearings to voice your comments about the new changes. Also, during this time we were informed that our regional Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R) Quality Care for Children will no longer cover our area. The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) Department of Pediatrics will be the CCR&R for counties in the south metro area and beyond. This transition will not affect those that currently enrolled in QCC for their food program. BFTS Revised CCR&R regions Effective 7/1/2009
Southern Crescent Association for
Professional Child Care
(SCAPCC)
Southern Crescent Association for
Professional Child Care
(SCAPCC)
"Striving To Do More"
February 2010 BFTS Press Release
Georgia Department of Human Services partners with Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning to launch a comprehensive quality improvement initiative for child care providers Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) has teamed up with Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start) to offer a new, comprehensive quality improvement program to selected child care providers throughout the state. Using stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), DHS and Bright from the Start will provide a tailored package of inclusive technical assistance and support to providers. This will help ensure that every early care and learning program in the state is of the highest quality possible.
The joint initiative will begin in February and run through September 2011. It is designed to provide a year and a half of rigorous assistance to approximately 600 non-compliant child care programs receiving subsidies in Georgia. See more detail about this click Document#1 and Document#2
January 2010 BFTS Press Release
Bright from the Start Warns of Phony Child Care Employment Ads Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is warning potential employees in early childhood education about phony child care advertisements. A business advertising itself as “Prodigy Daycare Center” has recently posted employment ads on Craig’s List. The agency that oversees the licensing and registration of child care centers and family day care homes in Georgia has received complaints from people who have been invited to an interview with “Prodigy.” However, they must submit a credit report prior to the interview. After conducting an investigation, Bright from the Start discovered there is no physical building at the location that Prodigy Daycare Center lists on its website. See the link below for more information on press release. Click here
Southern Crescent Association for
Professional Child Care
(SCAPCC)
First-time Incentive to Raise Standards for Teachers (FIRST)FIRST program provides financial support to eligible early childhood professionals who obtain their first credential. Bright from the Start is allocating funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to provide an incentive of $1,200 to 3,400 eligible early care and education professionals who earn their first early care and education credential between September 1, 2009 and February 28, 2011. FIRST Program Links Flyer Application Form
Sponsors needed to serve meals to children during the summer This is a great program but it is more for larger facilities such as recreation center, churches other non-profit organizations. This is a program to share with others that have the capacity to serve large groups. Click here
Temporary Child Care Assistance (TCCA) available
Clients that have been laid off or are underemployed and cannot afford childcare can apply to this program for the government to pay the chosen childcare provider directly. Restricts do apply see links for more details. COMPASS is a quick and easy way for people in Georgia to apply for services and get answers to questions about health, childcare and nutrition programs.
www.compass.ga.gov Program ends September 30, 2010 For more information about the TCCA program
Call 1-866-371-TCCA (1-866-371-8222)
ALL GA KIDS Referral Line
Make sure that your facility is listed accurately for referrals. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is introducing a new service to help families locate accessible, affordable, quality child care. By calling toll-free 1-877-ALL GA KIDS – families can learn about licensed child care in one of Georgia’s approximately 3,000 child care learning centers, 250 group day care homes, and 5,300 family day care homes all across the state. Callers to 1-877-ALL GA KIDS will speak to trained staff from Quality Care for Children, an independent, not-for-profit organization with whom Bright from the Start has contracted to consolidate information about childcare providers in all 159 counties and to oversee the new referral service. Quality Care for Children representatives will help families connect with child care providers in their area who are licensed, convenient to work or home, and within the family budget. They will also provide information and advice on how to select a qualified child care provider. A searchable database will also be available at www.allgakids.org. More infomation click here
June 2010
BFTS Rules and Regulation information specifically for family child care providers which was condensed to 10 pages from the 100+ paged documented previously disclosed. Check this link for details
Registration & HB1055 Info
Quoted from BFTS representative "Between Nov. 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010, providers will pay the registration fee and then be sent a new registration that will be valid beginning January 1, 2011. You will be receiving information regarding this and payment methods at a later time." House Bill- HB 1055 was passed which will require all childcare providers, family, group and centers to pay a registration fee annually on November 1, 2010; minimum fee is $50 and increase based on facility capacity. Click here to see BFTS document
New Officers
SCAPCC Members have elected Jacqueline Headley to Vice President and Wanda Boston to Secretary during our May BBQ Informational. We are excited to have these ladies help move SCAPCC foward to "Striving to do More"
April 2010 HEARING ON RULES AMENDMENT
Per BFTS website the proposed amendments are being considered for adoption on a permanent basis. Interested parties may submit written comments to my attention by mail at the address on this letterhead, by e-mail to CCSRulesRevisions@decal.ga.gov or by FAX at 404-651-7184. Those who prefer to make verbal comments on the proposed rule changes may do so at a public hearing before a Hearing Officer. The public hearing will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Clayton State University, Harry S. Downs Center for Continuing Education, 2000 Clayton State Boulevard, Morrow, GA 30260 on Tuesday the 20th day of April 2010. Hearing Notice Letter
NEW POLICY IN EFFECT
It is not so new it has been in effect since February'09. Many are not aware of it until you get inspected. You must have a detailed contract and policy agreement with your parents outlining specific details addressed in the link below. Most of you should have the majority of this information already. BFTS prefers to have it in one document like a handbook. Also included in this link is the need to address "Back to Sleep" for infants per SIDs guidelines in the category for Naptime. The first aid kit now requires protective equipment namely, facemask and eye goggles. Click here for SCAPCC template & Updates on New Policies, Regulation and Required documentation (zip file)
Southern Crescent Association for
Professional Child Care
(SCAPCC)
