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Spark Redesign

Haleb Loul (she/her)

Spark Coordinator

haleb.loul@delc.oregon.gov

Ash Mickels (they/them)

Spark Specialist

ash.mickels@delc.oregon.gov

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What is Spark?

Oregon’s Quality Recognition & Improvement System (QRIS)

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Oregon Programs of Quality (OPQ)

Tiered Quality Rating & Improvement System (TQRIS)

Spark, Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS)

Spark, Quality Recognition & Improvement System

  • Funded primarily by the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF)
  • Systematic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs
  • House Bill 2059 (2021 session) removed tiered rating and tiered reimbursement requirements

2013

2010

2016

2021

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Original Elements of Spark

  • For licensed center and home-based programs
  • Support funds available for quality improvements
  • Programs submit a portfolio with content on:
    • Children’s Learning & Development
    • Health & Safety
    • Personnel Qualifications
    • Family Partnerships
    • Administrative & Business Practices
  • Rated (C2Q, 3-, 4-, 5-star)
  • Programs receive incentive funds with their star rating

Assess

Improve

Communicate Quality

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Financial Supports & Incentives

Program Size

Support Fund

Available

Small

$1,000

Once per Program lifetime

Medium

$1,500

Once per Program lifetime

Large

$2,000

Once per Program lifetime

Program Size

Incentive

(3/4/5 star rating)

Available

Small

$500/$1,000/$1,500

Once per Program lifetime

Medium

$1,000/$1,500/$2,000

Once per Program lifetime

Large

$1,500/$2,000/$2,500

Once per Program lifetime

ERDC Spark Monthly Incentive

For each full-time ERDC child:

$54/$72/$90

Monthly

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Redesigning Spark

  • Continuously supports adults caring for young children to provide responsive early learning and care experiences
  • Recognizes the unique strengths, efforts, and accomplishments of adults caring for young children
  • Assists families in finding early learning and care services that are the “best fit” for their child and family

Strategy: Utilize a collaborative redesign process, with the intentional engagement of historically underserved and underrepresented populations, driven by the leadership of families and early learning and care professionals.

Goal: Create a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible system that:

Redesign Process:

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Engage

Design

Implement

Assess

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Changes to Spark

September 2021

    • Star-rating renewal process available (abbreviated portfolio)

June 2022

    • More star-rating renewal options available (resubmit original portfolio for higher rating, on-site observation, CQI activities, and professional development)

October 1, 2023

    • Quality Improvement Cycle process available
    • Limited star-rating (portfolio) pathway to programs listed with ERDC

Objectives:

  1. Offer a process that supports programs to continuously improve.
  2. End the star-rating process (HB 2059).

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NEW Financial Supports & Incentives

Type

Amount

Available

Goal Payment (for QI Cycle)

$500

Once every 12 months

Type

Amount

Available

Star-rating Renewal

$200

Once every 12 months

QI Cycle Incentive

$250

Once every 12 months

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Updated Financial Supports & Incentives

Type

Amount by Program Size (Small/Medium/Large)

Available

Spark Support Fund

$1,000/$1,500/$2,000

Once per Program lifetime

3 Star Rating Incentive

$500/$1000/$1,500

Once per Program lifetime

4 Star Rating Incentive

$1,000/$1,500/$2,000

Once per Program lifetime

5 Star Rating Incentive

$1,500/$2,000/$2,500

Once per Program lifetime

ERDC Spark Monthly Incentive

For each full-time ERDC child:

$54 (3-star)

$72 (4-star)

$90 (5-star)

Monthly

Star Rating Renewal Incentive

$200

Once every 12 months

QI Cycle Goal Payment

$500

Once every 12 months

QI Cycle Incentive

$250

Once every 12 months

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Review strengths and prioritize opportunities for improvement

Set a goal

Receive funds

Work on goal

Reflect on growth

Receive funds

Spark’s Quality Improvement Cycle

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Requirements for Goal Payment

  • C2Q, or 3-, 4-, 5-star rated
  • Meet current Spark Support Funds and incentive eligibility.
  • Have not received a Spark one-time Support Fund in the last 12 months.
  • Submitted QI Cycle goal and necessary documentation.

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$500 Goal Payment can be awarded again after 12 months, as long as all necessary documentation filled out

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Support Fund for QI Cycle

FOR A LIMITED TIME:

Programs can use their one-time Spark Support Funds to complete one Quality Improvement Cycle in place of the $500 Goal Payment.

Support Fund

($1,000/$1,500/$2,000)

Goal Payment

($500)

OR

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Review strengths and prioritize opportunities for improvement

Set a goal

Example: Complete two portfolio domains

Receive funds

Example: One-time Support Fund -OR- Goal Payment

Work on goal

Reflect on growth

Receive funds

Example: Star-rating Incentive -OR- QI Cycle Incentive

Quality Improvement Cycle

ERDC listed programs CAN use a QI Cycle to work on their portfolio.

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Each QI Cycle Incentive will be deducted from their total Star-rating Incentive amount.

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Q & A