For the virtual audience, the sessions marked with an * * after the title will be livestreamed. The others will be offered via recording, with the recording being made available at the posted session time.
Monday, September 19 Concurrent Session A [10:20 - 11:35am PT]
Applying Racial Equity and Social Justice in Washington State DCYF Licensing Division * * The WA Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. Yet underlying systems, policies and practices are driving disparate outcomes and experiences for children of color. In April 2021, DCYF enacted a Racial Equity and Social Justice Administrative Policy, with far-reaching impacts on Department practices, including strategic planning for each Division. DCYF’s Licensing Division, which is responsible for the licensure and monitoring of child care and foster care providers, is working to transform the way we operate to adhere to these policies, and promote racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice. These transformations focus on changes to regulatory processes and practice, including the individual and organizational learning (and un-learning) necessary in leadership and staff. DCYF Licensing Division’s leadership and representatives on the Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Change Team will present on these efforts and encourage attendees to consider their own avenues for regulatory reform. Presented by: Ruben Reeves; Jeanine Tacchini; Yolonda Marzest; Kayla Boutillier; Trixi Yotsuda
Child Care Licensing and State QRIS Systems: Building Cohesive Initiatives Over the last two years we have seen many changes that have directly impacted the way that we do our work and function in the world. The overall impact on child care providers who were on the front line working through the turmoil is still being discovered. Join regulatory leaders from the state of Indiana in this informative session to take a deep dive into strategic and intentional coaching and trainings that will building a stronger, more cohesive partnership among regulatory and quality rating system supports in an effort to better support the work of child care providers. The presenters will share real life impact stories and lessons learned. In this session you will gain tools, resources, and information to enhance your day-to-day work in the field in this “post” Covid era and beyond. Presented by: Courtney Penn; Pam Roadruck
Compliance 2.0 - Catching Providers Doing Something Right Let’s face it, inspections are fundamentally about catching providers doing something wrong. Compliance monitoring on the other hand is about identifying areas of improvement and then equipping providers with the tools and resources needed to do things right. By shifting focus to corrections and prevention, the nature of the relationship between the agency and provider changes, as does the provider’s level of competence. In this session, participants will learn how agencies are using compliance monitoring, and a powerful management concept called “catching people doing something right” to build trust and camaraderie with providers. Presented by: Mark Parker
Ensuring Quality Out of School Time in Childcare Settings Georgia has increased the awareness of equitable quality out of school time within its childcare centers by dedicating a position with the sole purpose of focusing on the school age population. Although DECAL is recognized as a birth to 5 organization, almost half of the childcare subsidies are allocated to school age children. The School Age and Youth Program Specialist collaborates with the Georgia Statewide Afterschool network, Department of Behavioral Health, Department of Public Health and the Department of Education along with various other local and national agencies to help bridge the gap between organizations. Through the collaboration with the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network DECAL has completed small research projects, increased school age specific training, offered technical assistance to programs, distributed the School Age Help and Relief Effort (SHARE) grants and is currently working on a second phase of assistance dedicated to school age programs. This session will provide an overview of how the collaborations have improved resources and training. It will also spot light regulation hurdles that impact school age providers and what the future may hold to assist in overcoming these inequities. Presented by: Michelle Garris; Brittany Sams
Monday, September 19 Concurrent Session B [1:15 - 2:30pm PT]
Addressing Procedural Drift in Regulatory Practices * * The aftermath of the pandemic has provided a change to the lens with which we view regulatory practices, in our role as licensors and how we view the provider community. During a time of survival and simply doing what you could, it has become evident that compliance – not deviance- has created procedural drift across the board. Procedural drift is defined as a mismatch between procedures or rules and actual practice, whether practice of what was or what needs to be. There are several reasons why this occurs and understanding these will allow us to design and implement expectations, training, professional development, and work standards or procedures that are more likely to be sustained. It will also allow us to examine what has worked under “new norms” and what can be continued or modified for future use. Understanding that the actions that people take are driven by the beliefs that they hold, if we want people to take certain actions, do things a certain way, see things differently, we need to provide experiences that reinforce the desired beliefs. Embrace what has worked, acknowledge where we have fallen short, and move forward for the provider community and the future of regulation. Presented by: Candace Gilbert; Malissa Champion
Kinship Caregiver Engagement: Kin-First Approach to Keep Families Together When children/youth are removed from their birth parents due to child abuse and neglect, as a community, we leaned on those who know the child/youth well and are able to provide the stability, consistency, and maintain relational and cultural customs. Research has shown that children/youth thrive better in the domains of education, mental health and permanency with kinship caregivers compared to being placed in a foster home where there is unfamiliarity with the environment and the caregiver. This seminar will highlight the work Washington’s DCYF is doing to streamlining the process to increase efficiency, increase support and provide equity to all caregivers through the home study process. The Kinship Caregiver Engagement Unit (KCEU) was piloted to increase the focus on supporting the holistic family approach. They assist kinship caregivers with the process to lessen the anxiety of completing the forms. KCEU Specialists provide and guide kinship caregivers through the licensing process so they are able to obtain additional financial support. Kinship caregivers are tasks to care for their kin children with minimal support. Completing a list of requirements from the agency is not on top of their list but when we support kinship caregivers and team with them to their current environment and situation, we provide a sense of appreciation and community so that the common goal of keeping the kin child safe is achieved. Presented by: Xuan Chung; Meghan Reichard; Dr. Sonya Stevens
Mapping the Path to Licensing for Family Child Care Providers In this session, the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance will explore ways in which child care licensing professionals can help family child care providers navigate the child care licensing system. A mapping approach will guide you through the challenges a family child care provider has to work through from entry into the licensing system, renewal of their license, and compliance with home visits and paperwork. Researchers from the Erikson Institute will share what they learned about family child care providers’ perceptions of licensing, covering topics including communication, licensing inspections, requirements, and professional development. We’ll devote time to sharing strategies and promising practices. Presented by: Shannan Smith; Nina Johnson; Toni Porter; Marina Ragonese-Barnes
New Assisted Living Licensure Transforms the Regulatory Landscape in Minnesota Minnesota’s Assisted Living Licensure (ALL) law was passed by in 2019 with broad bipartisan support. This support was made possible as a result of key legislators, governmental agencies, and consumer and provider organizations coming together to reach consensus on the legislation. The intent of the law was to set consistent, clear expectations for providers and create more rights and protections for people living in assisted living establishments. Join representation from the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota’s Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, and Minnesota’s Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports to hear more about how ALL has raised the bar for rights of people living in these settings in Minnesota. Learn how Minnesota is working to keep collaboration a high priority to ensure success of the new regulations; has enhanced rights, including a right to electronic monitoring for residents living in nursing homes, boarding care homes, and assisted living facilities; and, has increased protections of residents, including by regulating the practice of the Assisted Living Administrator. Presenters will explain how attendees can learn from these changes and come away with ideas on how they can impact future regulations and resident protections. Presented by: Lindsey Krueger; Aisha Elmquist
Monday, September 19 Concurrent Session C [3:45 - 5:00pm PT]
Partnerships to Enhance Quality in Assisted Living Across the U.S., a growing number of assisted living providers have obtained quality designations (including accreditation) that reflect their community’s significant, ongoing commitment to performance improvement and excellence. This session features # leading organizations, all with a strategic focus on implementing a holistic quality framework in support of assisted living residents, their families/support systems, personnel and other stakeholders. Attendees will learn about core business practice and service delivery themes (such as person-centered approaches, transparency, risk mitigation, and performance measurement) that serve as a foundation for all three models; as well as understand some of the unique features of each quality initiative. Information regarding outcomes and impacts for providers who have achieved accreditation/quality certification will be shared. Presenters will also showcase examples of existing regulatory collaborations (across the long-term care continuum and from other health and social services) that supplement licensing efforts and are designed to promote quality. Potential benefits of these partnerships will be outlined. As state regulators “look ahead to the future” in assisted living, approaches that engage organizational partners who share in their collective commitment to safety, satisfaction, and strategy will benefit all. Presented by: Jed Johnson; Urvi Patel; Gina Zimmermann; Denise Hobson
Protecting Children from Harm: Trends in Child Care Licensing Requirements The requirements for child care centers and family child care homes in licensing regulations provide the baseline of protection for children and cover the broadest content, the largest number of children from birth to school age, and the largest population of providers. The intent of licensing requirements is to prevent various forms of harm to children—risks from the spread of disease; fire and other building safety hazards; injury; and developmental impairment from the lack of healthy relationships with adults, adequate supervision, or developmentally appropriate activities. This session will include a presentation of analysis conducted by the National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance that looked at child care licensing requirements that were current as of December 31, 2020, and how those compare to the requirements in place as of January 1, 2017. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss the findings and national trends. Participants will also be encouraged to share changes that were made to licensing requirements in their states and strategies used to communicate and implement new requirements with the child care provider community. Presented by: Sheri Fischer; Tara Lynne Orlowski, EdD
Wave of the Future: Simulation Training for Child Care Regulators * * In January 2019 the NYS Office of Children and Family Services opened the Human Services Training Center. This state-of-the-art training facility utilizes 97,000 square feet of space and includes 5 specialized simulation environments. The environments replicate a courtroom, a child care center, a child care home, a single-family home and apartment, as well as a juvenile detention facility. The simulation spaces are collaboratively utilized by multiple program areas including: Child Care Services, Child Welfare, Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth. For the Division of Child Care Services (DCCS), the goal of simulated training is to educate, train, and provide rehearsal for those preparing to work as child care regulators. Simulation provides trainees an opportunity to learn/master skills in a true to life environment where they can assess themselves, receive real time feedback from a facilitator, and from their peers. By creating a safe learning environment, participants are allowed the opportunity to focus on developing knowledge, skills, and best practice attitudes in a secure environment. Simulating events allows trainees to experience how they may react in real life, which enables learning from mistakes and capitalizing on optimal responses. A training institute designed specifically for Licensing Supervisors has been created, as well as a collaborative Child Protective Services investigation training for child care and child welfare staff. In this session, we will describe how incorporation of simulations into training curriculum has enhanced practices of child care regulatory staff. We will showcase our simulated training program and demonstrate how bringing real-life scenarios into training creates a practical and transformative professional development experience for the participants. Presented by: Tracey Turner; Christine Coons; Colleen Faragon
Tuesday, September 20 Concurrent Session D [10:20 - 11:35am PT]
Embracing Technology and Change in Regulation, While Looking Ahead The last two years have brought many lessons and changes in how we regulate child care facilities in the State of Michigan. Join us while we look back and forward at how our state is embracing technological changes to better support and promote child care licensing. From moving to all digital files and documentation to the process of building a new platform for child care licenses and child care licensing bureau staff to communicate with stakeholders, the public, licenses, and each other. Presented by: Erin Kidd; Candice Case-French
Interrater Reliability: Best Practices for Consistency in Measuring Compliance with Regulations * * Consistency in measuring compliance with rules and regulations can sometimes be challenging, especially when a regulatory body has multiple regional offices and staff turnover. In an interactive session, Sheila and Michele will discuss the steps the Pennsylvania Bureau of Human Services Licensing has done to improve interrater reliability in measuring compliance with personal care home and assisted living regulations and how the results are being measured. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to share their best practices in maintaining and measuring consistency. Presented by: Michele Strauser; Sheila Page
Promoting Equity in Licensing Systems Starts with Data Collection and Analysis Promoting equity has become an integral part of the national conversation about the future of licensing systems. Promoting equity must start with data collection and analysis. In this session, the presenters will create a collaborative environment where participants will be able to: Understand why the equity conversation is important for licensing systems; Identify key stakeholder groups in the licensing system and share examples of how policies and practices may be impact equity of each group; Consider commonly available data fields that can be used to identify potential issues in equitable licensing practices; Uncover the opportunities (and pitfalls) of the data collection practices needed to measure equity; Discuss approaches and innovations in data analysis to identify equity gaps; and, Formulate 1-2 next steps to promote equity in their state Presented by: Michelle Thomas; Melanie Brizzi
What's Next for Licensing? Perspectives from National Child Care Panels Reflections on the last couple of years have provided significant opportunities and challenges to further improve the field of child care licensing. The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance will facilitate a panel of early childhood professionals through an interactive discussion on their perspectives about the future of licensing. Panelist will include appointed members from national panels such as the National Family Child Care Provider Panel, National Licensing Expert Panel and the Family Child Care Collaborative. Highlights from recent research publications will be shared and panelist will respond and engage in conversation around the key takeaways for licensing administrations to consider. A question and answer segment will be provided and responses from the audience at large will be welcomed. Presented by: Amy Page; Shannan Smith
Tuesday, September 20 Concurrent Session E [1:20 - 2:35pm PT]
CALMing our Brains: A Mindful Approach to Regulation * * This session will give participants a glimpse into the operational landscape that child care providers are experiencing nearing post pandemic times. Equipped with that knowledge, but knowing that the regulations must be enforced, the question is " Can we regulate differently?' Using the Conscious Awareness Learning Model concepts, participants will learn ways to help themselves first so they can implement compassion and empathy, not only into the inspection process, but through communication policies, data collection, and strategic planning. In addition, the presenters will be highlighting the metamorphosis that has occurred in Hillsborough County by the child care providers when the assistance given to them has been through a lens of support and true guidance. This forward thinking approach is having a positive ripple effect far beyond regulation and reports. Presented by: Angela Chowning; Marni Fuente
Expanding, Redefining, and Collaborating: A New Vision of Licensing The landscape of child care regulation is in constant ebb and flow, reacting to the changes in its environment. With the mission of providing access to affordable and high-quality child care and early education experiences, enhancing our children’s development, and supporting families in work and parenting roles, Wisconsin’s Division of Early Care and Education has used a variety of tools and strategies to improve working relationships between the regulatory agency, child care providers, and parents. Using anecdotes from the field supported by local data, this presentation will show how strengthening collaborative relationships between state licensing and stakeholders in the field of early education improves and supports quality child care programs serving the most vulnerable families in Wisconsin. It will also show how agencies can utilize technology to streamline monitoring visits, as well as strategies to work with providers to promote reasonable regulation. Presented by: Nicole Schneider; Amber Corbit; Amanda St. Martin
Interweaving Child & Foster Care Licensing: Holistic Support to Communities This presentation will look at how Washington State is reducing barriers for providers to become both foster parents and family home early learning providers. During this seminar we will share the results of the dual license pilot and dispel commonly held misconceptions around dual licensing. Increased service coordination through dual licensing provides avenues for foster parents to work from home while building family relationship, provide avenues for continuity of care – even after reunification, allow space for siblings and other related children to interact and maintain relationships and provides networks for families to care for children from their own communities, cultures and languages. Throughout the past two years of uncertainty, fear and COVID fatigue, participant families demonstrated resilience, innovation and a high level of commitment to the children in their communities. Finally, we will outline some of our insights on the work that is left to be done. The future of regulation includes intentional efforts to increase coordination and alignment of services to children and families equitably and holistically rather than services as individual parts. Presented by: Dr. Sonya Stevens; Michelle Giard; Cristina Harris; Mindy Flett
VHA Medical Foster Homes: Long-Term Care in Family Settings Medical Foster Home (MFH) is an alternative to nursing home in a personal home, for selected Veterans who are no longer able to safely live independently in the community. MFH serves Veterans with serious chronic disabling conditions that meet nursing home level of care need but prefer a non-institutional setting for their long-term care. The MFH program brings together a caregiver who is willing to open their home and serve in the role of a strong family caregiver. The MFH is matched with the Veteran’s physical, social, and emotional needs, including supervision and protection. The MFH Coordinator finds a caregiver in the community who is willing to take a Veteran into their home and provide 24-hour supervision as well as needed personal assistance. Presently there are nearly 800 enrolled MFH Veterans with over 550 MFH caregivers in 41 states and territories with expansion to an additional 58 sites over the next three years. The VA interdisciplinary home care team is an integral component of MFH, usually provided through either Home Based Primary Care or Spinal Cord Injury Home Care. Staff from these programs make home visits to provide home assessment, caregiver support, education, direct patient care, and oversight. Presented by: Megan Mathey; Dayna Cooper
Tuesday, September 20 Concurrent Session F [2:45 - 4:00pm PT]
DEI and Unconscious Bias Awareness Workshop NARA's DEI Committee will present an introduction to DEI and unconscious bias. The workshop aims to create awareness of current DEI status and develop interest in cultivating DEI practices in their workplace. Attendees will learn how unconscious bias is present across industries and how this may affect the workplace environment (i.e. stereotyping, prejudice, cultural differences). The committee will present basic strategies to identify and address some common hidden or unintentional biases. Additionally, we will share the status of NARA’s DEI initiative and how regulators can benefit from participating in next activities. Presented by: Claudia Campagnola; NARA DEI Committee
Stabilization and Sustainability in Early Childcase There has never been a time when the acknowledgement of the symbiotic relationship between regulatory agencies and early childcare providers has been more important. What can regulatory agencies do to assist in the successful sustainability of early childcare programs throughout the United States? This workshop will offer specific strategies and recommendations for more collaborative relationships. Presented by: Sharon Woodward
Strategies to Support the Licensing Workforce * * The future of regulation is dependent on recruiting and retaining a well-trained, qualified workforce. This is especially true during this time when organizations are facing resignations and difficulty finding new employees. There are many strategies organizations and leadership can use to support their staff in their licensing role and grow professionally. Some of the strategies this session will cover include, but are not limited to, team building, appreciation, supporting remote and hybrid work environments, communication, and transferring professional development into the workplace. In addition to strategies, resources will be highlighted to continue the conversation beyond Seminar. Presented by: Tara Lynne Orlowski, EdD
The Family-Friendly Licensing Dashboard: Making Regulatory Data Accessible This session will provide an overview of Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning’s (DECAL) innovative, family-friendly licensing dashboard. The dashboard was developed in order to help families better understand and access the information collected through licensing inspections and monitoring. The presenters will discuss how DECAL designed the tool with busy families in mind, giving them the ability to access information about child care programs in a format that meets an ever-changing, technology driven society. Participants will learn how DECAL engaged families and child care programs in providing feedback during development of the tool, including how DECAL addressed the voiced reservations regarding implementation. Lastly, the presenters will discuss how DECAL hopes the dashboard will change families current, rudimentary understanding of regulatory information available regarding child care. Presented by: April Rogers
Wednesday, September 21 Concurrent Session G [8:30 - 9:45am PT]
A Facilitated Dialogue: "Big Childcare" and the Future of Regulation COVID-related shutdowns, safety concerns, ongoing staff shortages, and workforce shifts have devastated the childcare industry, however “big childcare” seems to be weathering the storm. How? Why? Has the light finally been shown on the importance of early care and education? Is there more money at stake? Are big corporations expanding and gaining increasing business from employers who finally realize the importance of offering childcare benefits to staff? But is it too late? What implications will this have for equity in the workforce when cost is rising, and vast numbers of women have already left? And if this light is finally shining, what does that mean for the quality of childcare and regulatory agencies? Does raising overall quality of childcare in this post-pandemic world make it too expensive for those with lower incomes, especially those not employed by the types of corporations likely to offer childcare benefits? Is the industry aligned to be able to support education, training, and compensation for its staff? What impacts will there be on consistency throughout practices? This facilitated dialogue will address the question Is “Big Childcare” the future of the childcare industry, and if so, what does that look like for the future of regulation? Presented by: Candace Gilbert; Jennifer Bailey; Randy Hudgins
CCDBG Act Comprehensive Background Check Requirements This session will focus on the background check requirements under the CCDBG Act. Participants will gain a better understanding of the comprehensive background check requirements as it pertains to the categories of checks and their differences, applicability to providers and staff, disqualifying crimes, and the processes for appeals and review. Presented by: Lisa Clifford; Theresa Campisi
Equipping our Toolbox * * As part of the Inspection Process Project (IPP), the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) has developed the CARE Tools for use in the Adult and Senior Care Program, Children's Residential Program, and Child Care Program. The CARE Tools will be used by Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) when conducting inspections in licensed facilities. The CARE Tools focus CCLD’s efforts in the three IPP priority areas: Prevention, Compliance and Enforcement. Presented by: Ariel Cazares; Rene Mancinas; Maria Hendrix; Shanice Orum; George Mingle
