The Star Gazette
In this Edition:
  • Creating High Quality Action Items in the Quality Improvement Plan
  • Approved Screening and Assessment Tool Update
  • Proration of Qualifications - April 1, 2022
  • Preparing for Transition-Postponed PQA
  • Timeline COVID-19 Assessment Update
  • Michigan Child Care Subsidy Policy Office Hour
  • New Grant Support and Resource Guide for Child Care Providers
Creating High-Quality Action Items in the Quality Improvement Plan (Indicator N-OS2, A-OS2, C-OS2, and O-OS1) 
If you have created Action Items in your Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), that means you are working to improve the quality of your program. While you might have created some Action Items, maybe you struggled with what to write, or maybe you are wondering what to do next with your Action Items. If so, you are not alone.
 
Rather than adding a generic statement about developing a QIP, professional development, or working with a quality improvement consultant, try to make the Action Items specific. A high-quality Action Item is one that is specific, requires action, and has a deadline for completion. Adding this level of detail makes the Action Items achievable and allows you to meet your goals and improve your program’s quality. Below are some examples of high-quality Action Items that meet the intent of the indicator that may help you as you create or update your program’s Action Items. 
As you work to develop a Quality Improvement Plan and create Action Items, refer to the How to Create and Manage a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) webpage for additional guidance. 
Approved Screening and Assessment Tool Update
 
The Michigan Department of Education-Office of Great Start has updated the Great Start to Quality Approved Screening, Assessment, and Curriculum list. The list has been updated to remove screening and assessment tools that are no longer published, are not readily available, have been updated, and are not comprehensive. Below you will find the list of approved screening and assessment tools that will take effect on April 1, 2022. Beginning April 1, 2022, prior version of listed tools will no longer earn credit for Great Start to Quality.
 
Approved Screening Tools

  • Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ-3™)*
  • BRIGANCE® Early Childhood Screens III
  • BRIGANCE® Early Childhood Screens III (0-35 months)
  • BRIGANCE® Early Childhood Screens III (3-5 years)
  • Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA)**
  • DECA for Preschool (DECA-P2) (3 years – 5 years) 
  • DECA for Infants and Toddlers (DECA-IT) (1 month- 36 months) 
  • Early Screening Inventory 3 (ESI™-3)
  • ESI-3-P (3 years – 4 years 5 months)
  • ESI-3-K (4 years 6 months – 5 years 11 months)
 
*Updated with the latest version and name.
**Updated with the latest versions for different age groups.
 
Approved Assessment Tools

  • BRIGANCE® Inventory of Early Development
  • COR Advantage (formerly Child Observation Record Advantage)* 
  • The Early Learning Accomplishment Profile (E-LAP™)
  • The Learning Accomplishment Profile (LAP-3™)
  • GOLD® (formerly, Teaching Strategies Gold®)*
  • The Ounce Scale™
  • The Work Sampling System® 
 
*Updated with the latest version and name.
Proration of Qualifications - April 1, 2022
Beginning April 1, Great Start to Quality will begin prorating qualifications for employees hired within 90 days of Self-Assessment Survey submission. This change is being implemented to ensure that new employees have time to submit qualifications to MiRegistry for review and membership processing. It is important to note that while we will be prorating employment, all employees must be linked in the Employees tab of the Organization Profile regardless of their hire date. Here are some guidelines:
  •  Staff hired within the last 90 days 
  • Do not need a membership status 
  • Qualifications are not reviewed 
  • Staff employed longer than 90 days 
  • Need a membership status of Awaiting Print, Current, or Expired
  • Qualifications are reviewed using the Staff Qualification report 
  • When there is only one staff person for each position (e.g., lead, assistants) and they were hired within the last 90 days 
  • Need a membership status of Awaiting Print, Current, or Expired
  • Qualifications are reviewed using the Staff Qualification report 
 
MiRegistry membership status of Awaiting Print, Current, or Expired will allow validation staff access to the employee’s verified qualifications.

Have questions? Reach out to your local Resource Center at 1.877.614.7328 for additional support and guidance.
Preparing for Transition-Postponed PQA
Timeline
As we prepare to transition to the new quality improvement process in fall of 2022, June 30 is the last day to schedule your Program Quality Assessment (PQA) or opt-out and publish at a 3 star (4 stars for Alternate Path programs) if you have postponed your on-site assessment. Please keep in mind that you do not have to wait the full six months to come out of the postponed status. You can contact assessment@ecic4kids.org anytime between now and June 30 to schedule your PQA.

*Remember, if you are a school year-only program, you will need to get your PQA before closing for the summer!

COVID-19 Assessment Update
Will a GSQ Assessor be in your program soon? The Assessment Team wants to be respectful of all programs as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessors will ask you about your mask policy prior to entering the building. Please make sure you are indicating whether you would like your assessor to wear a mask while in your building. Your assessor is happy to follow any additional policies in place for visitors related to COVID-19.

Assessors will continue to ask questions about what has changed in the program or routine and will take this into account when scoring rows in the PQA. The assessors do not automatically make scoring adjustments unless the program has identified changes ahead of time.

These scoring accommodations will be in effect until March 31, 2022. Beginning April 1, all programs will need to meet the rows in the PQA as scoring accommodations will no longer be made. As always, reach out to the assessment team at assessment@ecic4kids.org
Michigan Child Care Subsidy Policy Office Hour
As the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) lead agency for Michigan, the Michigan Department of Education is examining the current structure for child care subsidy payments.
In the fall, child care providers and stakeholders shared their feedback on current child care subsidy practices, as well as the challenges and barriers child care providers face on a daily-basis. In an effort to keep this conversation going, CCDF is hosting an open office hour on February 25th from 1:30-2 pm to address any additional questions and thoughts you may have about what we have learned so far and are sharing in this summary document and video. 
New Grant Support and Resource Guide for Child Care Providers
Looking for resources to guide how your programs use Child Care Stabilization Grant funds? The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) has created a resource page full of grant support resources to help navigate spending, tax resources, tracking tools, and FAQs.
What's in the Resource Guide?

  • Hiring and Recruiting Staff
  • Effective Strategies for Spending Grant Funds
  • Advice for Navigating Child Care Crisis
  • Definitions of Spending Categories
  • Spending and Reporting Timelines
  • FAQs
Disclaimer: These resources have been prepared for informational purposes only. The impact of the funding will vary from provider to provider, and this featured resources, webinars, and videos are not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.
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If you are thinking about how to maintain or continue making quality improvements, or if you’re ready to learn more and need help, contact your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center by calling 1-877-614-7328 or visit www.greatstarttoquality.org.
Funding from the Office of Great Start within the Michigan Department of Education supports the implementation of Great Start.