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Message from the CEO
Don't Miss the October 20th Provider Meeting!!! |
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Dear Provider,
Make sure you are at the October 20th Provider Meeting!! We will have updates and door prizes that you don't want to miss!!
Join us at Calvary Assembly of Orlando at 1199 Clay St., Winter Park, FL 32789. Doors open at 6:00pm and the meeting starts promptly at 6:30pm. |
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VPK Readiness Rate Rule Workshop |
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Thanks to those of you who have called or sent emails regarding the DOE VPK Readiness Rate Workshop.
NO, THIS IS NOT TRAINING! It is an opportunity to share your thoughts on draft rules being proposed by DOE. Click here for a copy of the draft rules.
Bottom line on the rule regarding the VPK Provider Readiness rate:
- You cannot recommend the requirement that children be ready on both measures (ECHOS and FAIR) be changed because that is now in law.
- You can recommend the proposal that 70% of children must be ready on both measures be changed as that is a proposal of the State Board of Education - their staff recommended the threshold should be 60%.
- You can recommend that a "value added" component be considered as part of the calculation, even though that is not in the proposed language. Such "value added" component might include the % of children on free/reduced lunch.
- You can recommend, if children must be ready on both measures, the threshold for attendance needs to move from 70% to something higher (need to give them a number), even though that is not in the proposed language.
Bottom line on the rule regarding the VPK Provider Good Cause Exemption:
- You cannot recommend the requirement to move from 4 years as a Low Performing Provider to 3 years before you have to apply for a Good Cause Exemption as that is now in law.
- You can recommend the pre/post assessment tool be one that is not as costly as the DOE-created pre/post assessment. I suggest you recommend Teaching Strategies Gold (www.teachingstrategies.com) which appears to be curriculum neutral.
- You can recommend that the cost of the pre/post assessment (which is proposed to be borne by the provider if found to be low performing) is rightfully a part of the state accountability process and should be borne fully by the State.
The DOE workshop in our area will be held Monday, October 24 from 4:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. at the Heart of Florida United Way, 1940 Traylor Blvd., Orlando, Fla., 32804. |
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Update on DCF Food Handling Rules |
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Thanks to those of you who have called or sent emails regarding my most recent post on the proposed DCF Food Handling rules. It appears that the proposed rule has been withdrawn and DCF is working on revisions.
While still under development, according to Richard Forrester, our Region's Child Care Licensing Director, it appears that the new proposed rule will be less restrictive. His last email to me stated "We still do not know when the rule will be finalized. The (State level) Program Office is in the process of submitting an emergency rule. Until then counselors are providing technical assistance. I do know that neither the Food Manager's Certification nor the 4 hour on-line course will be in the new rule. Providers will not be required to have either training."
That said, we all want what is best for children. So let's watch this closely and weigh in as appropriate.
And if neither the Food Manager's Certification nor the 4 hour on-line course is required, it still would be a good idea to make sure staff handling food knows how to keep it safe. And the 4 hour course might be one of the choices you as an owner or director require your food handling staff to take as part of their 10-hour annual training requirement.
We have asked Mr. Forrester to have staff available at the October 20, 2011 Provider Meeting to answer any questions. |
I will keep you posted on new changes and updates as they develop, and I am always available for your questions.
Sincerely,
Karen Willis
CEO
Early Learning Coalition of Orange County |
