STAR Management News
Joint Office of Children, Youth and Families & Office of Child Development and Early Learning Child Care Bulletin: Integrating Keystone STARS into Child Care Purchasing
July 20, 2009
Dear NW Region Practitioner,
Children served by the office of Children, Youth and Families are some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable children. Research studies have documented the link between abuse and neglect of children and the impact on children physically, emotionally, psychologically, and behaviorally. These are children who can greatly benefit from high quality early education programs that help ready them socially and academically for school. Quality early education can provide children with the best opportunities to achieve success in school, work and life. The Office of Children, Youth and Family and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning are committed to setting a high standard for children served by CYA and are, therefore, with few exceptions, requiring that participating CYA enroll children, who are receiving CYA NBPB child care funding, in Keystone STARS facilities that have two or more STARS.
OCDEL-regulated child care facilities such as centers, group homes and family child care homes may opt to participate in Keystone STARS. Homes that care for three or fewer children are not regulated or registered with OCDEL. These homes may not participate in Keystone STARS and CYA funding may not be used to pay for child care in these unregulated homes.
On July 1, 2009 the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) issued a joint bulletin to county children and youth agencies (CYA) entitled “Implementation of Child Care Funding Policy Beginning State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2010-2011” (pdf). The bulletin provides CYA with policy and fiscal guidance in regards to funding quality child care services through the Needs Based Plan and Budget (NBPB) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-11. The bulletin reflects the partnership between OCYF and OCDEL as they work together to assure the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable children have access to quality child care services.
The purpose of this bulletin is to:
- Encourage CYA to include child care funding in their NBPB to fill the service gap by paying for child care while their families, teens and foster children wait for funding to become available through Child Care Works. CYA can also use NBPB for families receiving in-home services who do not meet the eligibility requirements for Child Care Works.
- Promote quality child care by requiring CYA to enroll children in family or group child care homes and child care centers that have a Keystone STARS quality rating of 2 (two) or above. C&Y agencies may request an exemption for rare instances when a STARS facility is not available.
- Assure consistent payment of providers throughout the Commonwealth by requiring the CYA to pay the provider’s published rate or Maximum Child Care Allowance, whichever is less. CYA will also pay the additional STARS add-on.
- Provide resource information regarding PA Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS, Head Start, Full Day Kindergarten, and the benefits of quality child care for CYA staff to share with families.
The bulletin addresses the NBPB for FY 2010-11; however, CYA may begin to follow the guidelines immediately.
Please direct any questions to the following appropriate OCYF Regional Office:
OCYF Central Regional Office - (717) 772-7702
OCYF Western Regional Office - (412) 565-2339
To learn more about becoming a STAR 2 provider, please contact your NW Regional Key STARS Manager who will provide you with supports and resources to assist you with achieving your STARS goals.
Sincerely,
Elana Shively,
Executive Director
NW Regional Key
To print or download a copy of this letter please click here.
