5.8

Overview of State Programs

Shasta Head Start contracts with the state government to provide two state-funded program options to families in need.

• California State Child Care (CCTR). The CCTR program provides funding for childcare up to age 14; however, our contract with the state is to provide childcare through Early Head Start to children from 0-35 months of age. This program corresponds roughly to the Early Head Start program, but is state-funded rather than federally-funded.
• California State Preschool Program (CSPP). This corresponds roughly to the federally funded Head Start program. CSPP will fund 3- and 4-year-olds who attend Head Start. To be considered, the child must turn three or four by December 1^st.

The eligibility requirements for each of the state programs are defined in detail in the Program Requirements documentation from the California Department of Education.

• Program Requirements for General Child Care & Development (CCTR)
• Program Requirements for California State Preschool Program (CSPP)
• Funding Terms and Condition– Definitions and Attendance sections
• Fiscal Handbook
• Billing Rates

Facts

• Approximately 222 slots of the 725 available slots are allotted to state programs (30%)
• All except 2 of our EHS centers have state classrooms
• Approximately 30% of HS classrooms are state classrooms

For questions about state programs, contact the Enrollment Coordinator for your site.

For more general information, visit the California Department of Education page on Child Care and Development Programs

State Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for state programs are based on two criteria:  income, and need for care. This means that, once the family is income eligible, they can receive subsidized services only for the hours during which they require childcare.

Refer to the SOP Eligibility Requirements for State Programs (CCTR and CSPP) for a brief summary of the eligibility requirements listed below and how they differ from the eligibility requirements of Early Head Start and Head Start.

• Income requirements – state eligibility is based on the state median income
• Categorical Eligibility (Exceptions to the income requirement)
  • The family receives CalWORKS
  • The child is under Child Protective Services. Often, foster care children fall into this category.
  • The family is eligible under the McKinney-Vento Act, meaning they either have no housing, or their housing is inadequate.

• Need for Care – the state funds the child’s care for the hours during which the parent is unable to provide care. Acceptable reasons that a parent or guardian would not be able to provide care include school, work, job searching, looking for housing, active CPS case or parental incapacity.
• Family Fees – Families on a state program are required to pay a flat monthly family fee if their income falls between 40% and 70% (or 85% in subsequent years) of the state median income.

Additional Information

Recruitment

• While we try to recruit all families in need, we focus on recruiting families that have a need for full day childcare, as state funding is provided for full day childcare.

Eligibility

• Refer to the SOP Applying for a State Program for more information about the forms and documentation required to establish a family’s eligibility.
• Eligibility is good for 12 months from verification – then the family needs to get recertified to be maintain their eligibility for the state program. Refer to the SOP Verifying and Reverifying Families for State Programs which provides information on how to verify or reverify a families’ eligibility for state programs.
• Refer to the SOP Addressing Family Changes for State Program Applications for information on how to address family changes in a timely manner and within state regulations and guidelines.

Selection

• Children are selected for state programs based on their need and eligibility. Refer to Eligibility Requirements for State Programs (CCTR and CSPP) for more information.

Enrollment

• Enrollment in a state program requires additional paperwork both at enrollment and on an ongoing basis (recertification/reverification for eligibility). Refer to the SOP Applying for a State Program for more information about the forms and documentation required to establish a family’s eligibility.

Receiving Services

Education requirements for state programs include:

• State programs must self-assess using the ECERS/ITERS tools on an annual basis. There are guidelines in place stating that any subscales rated less than a “5” must have an action plan in place. Refer to the SOP ECERS/ITERS Curriculum for more information
• Teachers must maintain a child development permit at the associate teacher level or above at all times.
• Site Supervisors must maintain a child development permit at the site supervisor level or above at all times.
• Teacher-to-child ratios are different for state programs:
  • Infants – 1:3
  • Toddlers – 1:4
  • Preschool – 1:8
• Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) ratings must be completed within 60 days of entry and every 6 months following on an ongoing basis. Refer to the SOP Desired Results Development Profile (DRDP) for more information.
• A separate sign-in/sign-out sheet is used in state classrooms. Refer to the SOP Drop-off/Pick Up Procedures which includes information on the Sign-in/out sheets used in state classrooms.

Transition

The following transition scenarios related to state programs may occur:

• Children may start in EHS/HS and transition into a state program.
• Children may leave the state program and transition into an EHS/HS program or onto kindergarten or other care.

References

• California Department of Education
  • General Child Care and Development
  • California State Preschool Program
• Title V: Education of the California Code of Regulations
• Program Requirements for General Child Care & Development (CCTR)
• Program Requirements for California State Preschool Program (CSPP)
• Funding Terms and Condition– Definitions and Attendance sections
• Fiscal Handbook
• Billing Rates