Inclusion

Monitoring

The Provider Services staff of the ELCHC conducts monitoring of contracted School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs to ensure contract compliance.

Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK)

During the 2017-2018 contract year, ELCHC Provider Services staff monitored 263 VPK Programs to ensure each provider’s program met the terms and conditions of the State of Florida Statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider Contract. ELCHC staff monitored a sample of private provider sites; Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) conducted the monitoring of HCPS Voluntary Prekindergarten sites.

School Readiness Program (SR)

ELCHC staff performed desk reviews (Tier I) of 805 School Readiness Program providers. This monitoring reviewed submission dates of required School Readiness Contract Documents, the date of completion and submission of the annual CCR&R Provider Updates, verification that the provider conducted the required developmental screenings using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) in a timely manner and the verification of monthly enrollment and attendance documentation being submitted accurately.

In addition, staff monitored a sample of 139 contracted School Readiness program providers using the Statewide Provider Monitoring Tool for Tier Two compliance. These providers were both randomly selected and providers who were considered high risk due to the results of a previous monitoring.

Inclusion

The Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County (ECC) provides inclusion support services to providers and families in Hillsborough County. The local Warm Line is available to all child care centers and family child care homes as well as parents who request assistance regarding child care arrangements or concerns for their children with special needs. The goals of the Inclusion Initiative at the ELCHC are: 1. To increase the number of providers who offer quality inclusive programs for children with disabilities and special health care needs. 2. To enhance the confidence, ability level, and education of caregivers who care for children with disabilities and special health care needs. 3. To assist providers and the families they serve in understanding and accessing the community resources and services available for children with disabilities and special health care needs. 4. To increase community awareness of the need for, requirements of, and benefits associated with inclusive child care for children with disabilities and special health care needs. 5. ECC Inclusion Services Program offers trainings on a variety of issues, including health, child development, environmental adaptions, curriculum, and laws and regulations. During

FY17-18, ECC reports the following activities:

Number of trainings offered* - 14 Number of trainings held – 8 Number of practitioners trained – 85 Number of Warm Line calls – 96 Number of early learning settings that received technical assistance and consulatation – 99

*Due to low registration 6 of the trainings were canceled.”