January 15, 2015
MINUTES
Handouts Associated with the Meeting:
 2014 Market Rate Study Summary, Statistical Consulting Service, The Ohio State University
 groundWork Policy Implications from the Provider Cost of Quality Findings
 groundWork Payment Rates for Providers of Publicly Funded Child Care (Rule 5101:2-1641), Ceiling Rates worksheet
In Attendance: Anita Armstrong, Todd Barnhouse, Michael Batchelder, Kara Bertke-Wente, Stephanie
Wright Byrd, Jessie Cannon, Day Chesney, Joni Close, Rebekah Dorman, Marcia Egbert, Tess Elshoff,
Barbara Haxton, Kim Hauck, Margaret Hulbert, Karen Lampe, Robyn Lightcap, Judy Romano, Angel
Rhodes, Stephanie Siddens
Absent: Valerie Alloy, Day Chesney, Jessica Foster, Asyia Haile, Lowell Howard, Mary Johnson, Susan
Peet, Debe Terhar
Facilitator: Jacqueline Romer-Sensky
Guests: Rhonda Fraas, Wendy Grove, Janene Kehl, Maria Scheid
Introduction of New Members: Tess Elshoff was welcomed to the ECAC as the new representative of
the State Board of Education. Wendy Grove will also be participating from her new position as the
Director of the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness at the Ohio Department of Education.
Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve Marcia Egbert; Second by Rebekah Dorman; Unanimous
approval.
General Updates
Dr. Angel Rhodes
 Given ECAC guidelines, it is possible for Debe Terhar to remain on the ECAC, and she has agreed to
continue. As noted, Tess Elshoff joins the ECAC representing the State Board of Education.
 The work of the Family and Community Engagement Project Team continues. In the near term, a
RFP is planned to secure an experienced vendor to help with outreach campaign strategy, creative
product design and production and media buys.
 Concentrated work is underway on the Biennial Budget Executive Proposal. There will be early
childhood components. Upon introduction, it would be helpful to have a letter from the full ECAC to
House and Senate members. Individual members contacting their local representatives would also
be appreciated.
 A significant focus of the Legislature is limiting testing requirements on school districts, which may
impact the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. The issue involves the length of assessments/tests
and the time taken to implement them. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is submitting
An Assessment Reduction Report with recommendations on this topic to the Governor and the Ohio
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General Assembly. ECAC members may be needed to help advocate on behalf of the KRA as the
legislative session convenes.
Charter schools have expressed an interest in their involvement in preschool. Some information
about this interest will be distributed for discussion at the February meeting.
2014 Child Care Market Rate
Dr. Steven Naber, Kara Bertke-Wente
The Ohio State University has been conducting the 2014 Child Care Market Rate Survey for ODJFS.
Federal regulations require child care subsidy rates to be based on the rates charged parents around the
state using data that is no older than two years. OSU presented an overview of the survey process as
well as the preliminary report. Data analysis remains underway to ensure the report’s validity. ODJFS
hopes to finalize the survey within a few weeks. (See Handout.)
Group Discussion
 Members appreciated the professional approach of The Ohio State University.
 It was clarified that “percentile” means that percentage of the total slots will be below that rate. For
example, at the fiftieth percentile, half of the slots would be below it and half of the slots will be
above it.
 Concern was expressed about the response rate in general.
 It was noted that many providers who only accept private-pay children may not be participating.
This is cause for concern since the lack of involvement from private-pay providers lowers the overall
rates actually charged in the Ohio marketplace. ODJFS will quantify the percentage of private-pay
providers who participated.
 Members asked if the data could be used to show
o rates differentiated by SUTQ levels
o how the rates have changed over time, by categories of care/ages and provider types.
o generate a comparison showing what the current reimbursement rate is equal to in regards
to what percentile of the current survey.
 To further inform perspective on the market rate data, members pointed out that The National
Women’s Law Center recently released a state-by-state comparison of rates. NACCRRA also
publishes similar reports.
 ODJFS shared that as part of completing the report the agency also intends to seek answers to
questions similar to those being posed by ECAC members.
Policy Implications from the Provider Cost of Quality Calculator
Robyn Lightcap, Margaret Hulbert, Maria Scheid
The presentation shared today was done in concert with Anne Mitchell, President of Early Childhood
Policy Research, with groundWork staff support from Maria Scheid. (See Handout.) A few starting
points for the presentation:
 Today’s presentation reflects center-based providers. An analysis of Type B providers is underway.
It is difficult to analyze many preschool providers because they do not cost allocate in the same
manner.
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The Calculator is a complex, dynamic model. As assumptions are tested and variables change the
results it yields also change. Consider the Calculator to be a complex fabric where pulling one
thread differently changes the pattern.
Current model shows a center-based provider serving 100% high-needs children offering a mix of
ages and classrooms and an average enrollment rate of 79 percent.
The Calculator results shared today yield a variety of policy implications. Ideas presented for
consideration:
o Consolidate the market rate to two categories: urban and rural.
o Adjust market rates in the base rate for urban and rural models.
o Increase the SUTQ tier reimbursement incentives to meet costs.
Group Discussion
 It was clarified that the Calculator Model assumed 3, 4, 5 star centers in urban areas have lower
ratios. Rural assumption did not include lower ratios. Members expressed that it is very difficult to
attain the higher SUTQ award level without lowering ratios.
 There is a distinction between enrollment and attendance. There are many models for enrollment
and attendance policy. Some providers believe the “swipe card” system does not always accurately
reflect attendance.
 Investing appropriately in the child care system is necessary to move the system where large
numbers of high-needs children are now served and for whom higher educational attainment is the
goal.
 At the local level, members report the financial strain is evident. In Cuyahoga County, for example,
seven highly-rated centers closed in the third quarter because the centers could not make the
finances work.
 Child care businesses may need technical assistance on business models. Owners are often
educated in early childhood, but may not have the business training to make the best plans.
 A reminder that the federal Child Care Development Block Grant re-authorization did not increase
the appropriation which complicates any new policy considerations at the State level.
 Additional clarification is needed to understand the role/relationship that “paid absences” play into
the 79% to 85% attendance rate.
ODJFS Update
Kara Bertke-Wente
 The market rate and rate setting has been a major focus of recent activity.
 In order to meet SUTQ 2020 goals, a number of issues are in play. For example, all providers need to
be provisioned into the OCLQS (Ohio Child Licensing Quality System). OCCRRA is helping publicize
the need for providers.
 At year end, 79 providers have taken advantage of payment after denial.
 At year end, 215 families have benefited from the 90-day continuous care and payment.
 As part of a continuous effort to streamline processes for families and providers, ODJFS now has a
two-page, pre-populated renewal application form – down from an 11-page form.
 Two ODJFS representatives will be attending upcoming federal briefings on the Reauthorization of
the Child Care Development Block Grant.
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ODE Update
Dr. Wendy Grove
 Based on initial roll-out and legislative interest, work is underway in partnership with the State of
Maryland to streamline the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment process, including the number of
items in the assessment and the time it takes to complete. This fall just 12% of teachers used
technology, so technical assistance regarding how to use technology is also being explored to help
make the best use of teacher time going forward. As a part of the system, Sophie Hubbell is leading
information input gathering with teachers regarding particular assessment items and the overall
experience.
 A timeline is being developed to show when KRA data will be available to different audiences.
 A State Systemic Improvement Plan is being completed for Special Education Preschool to meet
federal requirements. The measurable goal will be for all students to be able to read at grade level
by third grade. There will be input opportunities for all between now and April 1.
 At year end, SUTQ rated programs licensed by ODE totaled 159 programs that are now 3,4,5 star
rated.
 Sophie Hubbell has accepted the position of ODE’s 619 Coordinator. This position was previously
held by Barbara Weinberg who has retired.
Anita Armstrong
 The creation of a family/parent portal for the earlychildhoodohio.org website is being funded
through the Ohio Head Start Collaboration Grant with interagency representatives and input from
the Family & Community Engagement Project Team. A vendor has been secured. The target date
for completion for of first phase of the portal is June 2015.
ODODD Update
Kimberly Hauck
 Early Intervention rules were adopted January 1, 2015 to align all rules between DODD and ODH.
 Certification rules for early intervention specialists are underway, including changing the name to
Developmental Specialist and course requirements.
 The new Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) goes into effect today, January 15, 2015. To date,
1,000 providers have been trained on the new format. A Guidance Document has gone out and the
HMG data system has also been adjusted.
 DODD is working on its State Systemic Improvement Plan for the federal government as well.
Other Announcements
 There was a wonderful, front-page Plain Dealer article on Sunday, January 13, 2015 about the
importance of quality. Thanks to state and local members who helped support the article.
 Approximately 1,800 new federal Early Head Start-Child Care partner slots have been allocated to
Ohio for $16.9 million. Final March federal allocations could see those numbers increase.
Next meeting
The ECAC next meets on February 19, 2015 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at OCCRRA.
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