Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout970572.tiffRESOLUTION RE: APPROVE NEIGHBOR -TO -NEIGHBOR TRAINING PROGRAM APPLICATION AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a Neighbor -to -Neighbor Training Program Application from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, with terms and conditions being as stated in said application, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said application, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the Neighbor -to -Neighbor Training Program Application from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said application. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 31st day of March, A.D., 1997. AP eputy Clerk . the Board BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELDOUNTY, COLORADO E. Baxter, Chair Dale K. Hall z }V.,J.-,, I /:, / . < JL Barbara J. Kirkme erg ,� % �I> ��eTITT _ W. H. Webster 970572 HR0068 WELD COUNTY NEIGHBORS CHILD CARE TRAINING AND EDUCATION PILOT PROGRAM ABSTRACT Acknowledging the importance of economic self-sufficiency and responsibility as central to welfare reform throughout the nation, a number of Weld County organizations and services are collaborating to create a training program for public assistance recipients to become child care workers. Our training program offers two primary outcomes for clients: (1) home care provider and (2) child care center provider. Additionally, through readily accessible on -going early childhood education career path offerings, clients can continue to both upgrade their skills and pursue Group Leader qualification and/or Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Professions (ECP) for career advancement. To drive our model, the project has four proposed goals: Goal 1: Train a minimum of ten (10) clients over one (1) year through the implementation of a county -wide collaborative, inclusion -based early childhood development training program that would prepare clients to provide quality child care either from their homes or through child care facilities, thus helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency. Goal 2: Provide training in job readiness skills and small business practices to program participants (minimum of ten [ 10]) to maximize the success of home care provider enterprises and to encourage informed decisions about economic self-sufficiency in the child care field. Goal 3: Provide career advancement opportunities in child care by promoting career path options through Aims College's existing ECP Department. Goal 4: Document, evaluate and disseminate the results of the model to the field. Our Neighbor -to -Neighbor model was formulated on the following best practices identified through the early childhood education literature for training child care workers: 1. Effective, qualified child care workers need to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of child development theory, behavior management strategies, education strategies, safety and health care practices and child nutrition. A comprehensive understanding is facilitated and maintained by structured educational programs, offering supervised practice and application opportunities. 2. In order for the skills learned in a training site to transfer to and be implemented across sites, there must be adequate follow-up and support. By using field -based, supervised nei2neitda 1 970572 internships or mentorships, students are able to practice their newly acquired skills in a supportive environment, thus maximizing retention and transferability. 3. To ensure the success of child care workers in providing quality services, workers must be given ongoing training and career path options. Our proposed model provides both elements, thus offering career advancement/enhancement opportunities. Furthermore, career advancement/enhancement opportunities have a strong correlation with job satisfaction and subsequent reduced turnover. The Model consists of four fundamental components --Recruitment, Assessment, Training and Placement Assistance. 1. Recruitment of qualified clients will be a joint effort among county/area agencies including Department of Human Services, WIRS, Weld District 6, Weld alternative high schools, Aims Community College and child care centers. 2. Once potential clients have been identified, they will be Assessed in four areas. (1) interest in child care careers, (2) personal characteristics/temperament, (3) basic academic/employability skills and (4) legal background. Depending on the assessment outcomes, clients will be referred to appropriate training options. 3. Recognizing the diverse client needs and interests, our model offers three initial training options: (1) Individualized basic skills support to assist clients in obtaining necessary academic/literacy/employability skills; (2) Pre -Licensing Family Child Care Program, which can be taken concurrently with basic skills instruction; and (3) the existing Aims Early Childhood Professions (ECP) course sequence, which offers students college credit toward an AAS Degree. Home care providers will complete a Small Business Basic Practices course, which provides the fundamentals of owning, starting, operating and working within a small business; as well as individualized instruction tailored to obtaining state child care licensing. 4. All program completers will be assisted in either establishing a home child care facility or obtaining employment in a child care facility. Understanding the diversity of client needs, there is considerable flexibility in this model. Training options will be offered on an on -going basis, offering both open- entry/open-exit flexibility and the reinforcement/support of cohort groups. Moreover, once students have completed these basic options and have been placed in child care facilities or begun home care facilities, they will be encouraged to pursue career advancement courses through Aims' existing ECP department. The career advancement opportunities would ultimately qualify graduates to assume group leader positions in child care centers, and to own and/or direct child care facilities. • ncnncitdoo 2 970572 RECRUITMENT (Aims, Social Services, Human Services, WIRS, Weld #6, Child Care Centers) ASSESSMENT (Human Services, Aim TRAINING OPTIONS (Aims, Human Services, Wildwood) Financial Planning/ Self Sufficiency mployment Services, Aims) Basic Skills Support (Human Services, Aims) Small Business Basics (Chamber of Commerce, ispanic Chamber of Comm PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE (Aims, WHRS, Human Services, Child Care Centers, Family Child Care Home Association) HOME CARE PROVIDERS (WIRS, Aims, BOCES) datanei2neio.doc Figure 1. WELD COUNTY NEIGHBORS PROGRAM OVERVIEW Aims ECP Program Human Services CDA CENTER CARE PROVIDERS (Aims, WIRS, Human Services, Child Care Centers) CAREER PATH OPTIONS 1 Year = Group Leader 2 Year = Center Director/Owner (Aims) 3 970572 ADMINISTRATIVE CAPABILITY The proposed model is an inter -agency collaboration among Weld County Departments of Social Services and Human Services, Weld Information and Referral Service (WIRS), Weld District 6, Weld County Small Business Development Program and Aims Community College, with the Department of Human Services serving as the coordinating and fiscal agent. The following narrative describes each of the agencies and their contributions. It is critical to note that all the collaborating agencies are well -versed in the unique issues and challenges presented by potential participants in the Neighbor -to -Neighbor Training Program; currently offer a high degree of flexibility, individuality and diversity in their respective services in order to adequately serve these individuals; and have successfully collaborated with one another as well as other county agencies in the past on a number of projects. As an overview of the ensuing narrative, Figure 1(page 3) illustrates the collaborating agencies and the points at which they interact with Neighbors Program participants. The main project components—recruitment/marketing, assessment, training, and placement —are highlighted and those agencies providing the components appear in parentheses. Figure 1 also shows how program participants can move through the model. neiznea.da 4 970572 Weld County Division of Human Services Governed by the Weld County Commissioners, the Weld County Division of Human Services provides a number of services to county residents under three program areas: Children's Programs, Senior Citizens Programs and Youth and Adult Employment Programs. The two program areas that will play an integral role in the Weld County Neighbors Program in recruiting, training and placement are the Employment Services and the Children's Programs. Weld County Employment Services Employment Services offers job opportunities and basic skills programs that will be utilized in the Neighbors Program. Remedial education, basic skills, pre -employment and job competency training, career planning and assessments, pre -employment workshops and job placement are options that currently exist that can be accessed by program participants. Moreover, these services are provided under contracts from the Department of Social Services, illustrating the current high levels of departmental interfacing and collaborating. Family Educational Network of Weld County (FENWC) FENWC is a comprehensive program that focuses on early childhood development, providing support to Weld County families. FENWC works with various agencies to identify the needs of families and determines eligibility for funding sources. Programs are individualized so that they are responsive to the needs of each family. As a partner in the Weld County Neighbors Program, FENWC will actively recruit potential program participants, assist in coordinating participant training, work to place trainees in mentorshipsfmternships, and assist in placing program completers in competitive employment. FENWC will also offer free health services such as TB testing to program participants. Aims Community College Located in Greeley, Aims Community College is a two-year, locally supported, fully accredited comprehensive college. Aims' service area includes two north central Colorado counties (Weld and Lorimer) with populations totaling approximately 350,000. Aims maintains three facilities for delivery of its programs and serves over 19,000 students. Ethnic minorities comprise nearly 20% of the enrollment. Students attending Aims College can choose from oei2neitdoo 5 970572 several degree and certificate programs designed for transfer to four-year institutions and/or immediate placement in specific occupations. Aims College has a nationally recognized media center and graphic arts program, a sophisticated word-processing and reprographics center, highly -skilled clerical staff and a comprehensive on -campus library with networks to a number of other resource bases. Aims College's Early Childhood Professions (ECP) Program has prepared students for over 20 years to care for infants, toddlers and young children, including those with disabilities, and their families in a number of family child care venues. The existing training resources at Aims College more than adequately support the proposed project activities. The faculty and staff possess expertise in all facets of early childhood education and the Monfort Early Childhood Education Center, located on campus, serves as a teaching/leaming lab. Weld County Department of Social Services The Weld County Department of Social Services will play an active role in recruiting potential participants, determining their eligibility, and monitoring project activities. As one of the key agencies interacting with public assistance recipients, Social Services will remain closely involved with the clients as they progress through their training and are placed in employment. Weld Information and Referral Service Weld Informational and Referral Service (WIRS), a United Way agency founded in 1968, is a "clearinghouse" providing information on accessing available services for people in need. WIRS also gathers and analyzes information about community services and resources in Weld County, then works with other agencies to identify gaps in the social safety net and to eliminate inefficient duplication of services. One of the chief services provided by WIRS is the Child Care Resource and Referral Program (CCR&R). The CCR&R is a single entry, comprehensive referral service for parents, licensed child care providers and the community. The CCR&R provides child care referrals to families, as well -as to the licensed child care provider. Child Care providers can take advantage of the information, education and support services, including state licensing procedures. Through the CCR&R, WIRS will work with Neighbor -to -Neighbor program participants in obtaining state licensing for home child care facilities, locating potential financial resources and for connecting nei2neildoc 6 970572 child care providers with families requiring child care. (Please refer to their letter of support/commitment in Appendix A). Management Structure, Fiscal Controls, Governing Body The Weld County Board of County Commissioners, Division of Human Services, will be responsible for managing the project. Currently managing over $6,000,000 in grants and contracts the Division of Human Services has worked with a number of external funding sources, including the State of Colorado and US agencies, as well as coordinated collaborative, inter- agency projects. It offers established accounting procedures for project administration and budget management, and reporting and program evaluation expertise. The Division's business, human resources, fiscal services, accounting and internal auditing offices all provide support for responsible grants and contracts management. Additionally, all grants and contracts are subject to the internal and external auditing and reporting procedures required of Board -governed agencies. These audits, in turn, are reviewed regularly by the County Board of Commissioners. Project Management To manage the project effectively, a project coordinator will be hired through the Department of Human Services. Working 25 hours per week, the coordinator will be responsible for (a) implementing and coordinating all project activities; (b) establishing a "case -management" system through which to track each of the trainees; (c) conducting program evaluation activities; (d) teaching the ECP 095 courses; (e) coordinating the individualiz -d programs for each program participant; (t) locating and monitoring mentorship/'mternship experiences; (g) working to find employment for program completers; (h) coordinating agency services; and (i) performing other project -related responsibilities as assigned. S/he will be hired by a team comprised of all the partners as one of the first project activities and will be well -versed in child care training, interagency collaborations, project management, case management and public assistance recipients. In addition to the project coordinator, an advisory committee will be formed to guide project decisions and activity implementation. The advisory committee members will be comprised of the major partners --Aims College, Human Services, Social Services and WIRS--and other key community representatives. nei2natdoc 7 970572 SCOPE OF WORK/WORK PLAN Our proposed Neighbor -to -Neighbor Model supports the intent of the legislation enacted by the Colorado General Assembly through the Neighbor -to -Neighbor Child Care Training and Education Pilot Program: (1) To train welfare recipients as child care workers so that they can attain economic self-sufficiency; (2) To increase the supply of quality child care providers throughout Weld County and Colorado; and (3) To offer a collaborative model that uses the expertise and services of all participating agencies and thus deliver the most resource -efficient, cost-effective training possible. Our model has four proposed goals: Goal 1: Train a minimum often (10) clients over one (1) year through the implementation of a county -wide collaborative, inclusion -based early childhood development training program that would prepare clients to provide quality child care either from their homes or through child care facilities, thus helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency. Goal 2: Provide training in job readiness skills, personal financial management and small business practices to program participants (minimum of ten [10]) to maximize the success of home care provider enterprises and to encourage informed decisions about economic self-sufficiency in the child care field. Goal 3: Provide life long learning/career advancement opportunities in child care by promoting career path options through Aims College's existing ECP Department. Goal 4: Document, evaluate and disseminate the results of the model to the field. Our Neighbor -to -Neighbor model was formulated on the following best practices identified through the early childhood education literature for training child care workers: 1. Effective, qualified child care workers need to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of child development theory, behavior management strategies, childhood education strategies, safety and health care practices and child nutrition. A comprehensive understanding is facilitated and maintained by structured educational programs, offering supervised practice and application opportunities that build skills. 2. In order for the skills learned in a training site to transfer to and be implemented across sites, there must be adequate follow-up and support. By using field -based, supervised internships or «aceadoc 8 970572 mentorships, students are able to practice their newly acquired skills in a supportive environment, thus maximizing retention and transferability. 3. To ensure the success of child care workers in providing quality services, workers must be given ongoing training and career path options. Our proposed model provides both elements, thus offering career advancement/enhancement opportunities. Furthermore, career advancement/enhancement opportunities have a strong correlation with job satisfaction and subsequent reduced turnover. Project goals will be achieved by implementing a rigorous recruitment and marketing campaign; a comprehensive assessment process; a flexible, multi -option training program, including employability skills training, state licensing assistance and small business start-up advice; and placement assistance. The model also includes both formative and summative evaluations to ensure timely implementation of project activities, as well as to measure project outcomes. Each of these components is detailed below and is followed by a timeline outlining major project tasks and agencies responsible for their completion. Marketin¢ and Recruitment Recruitment of qualified clients will be a joint effort among county/area agencies including Weld County Departments of Human Services and Social Services, WIRS, Weld District 6, Weld alternative high schools, Aims Community College and child care centers (Refer to letters of support indicating partnership participation in Appendix A). Each of these entities is aware of the trainee criteria: Trainees must be eighteen years of age or older and must receive one or more of the following types of public assistance --Medicaid, Food Stamps, or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. Joint recruitment plans include the following: Media Campaiens There are a number of marketing strategies that will be pursued through county media that will have little if any effect on agency budgets: (1) public service announcements on regional radio stations and local cable; (2) news releases to regional daily and weekly newspapers; (3) interviews on KFKA radio the first Wednesday of each month; and (4) display ads in regional papers. nei2neitdoc 9 970572 Strategic Postings Posters advertising Neighbor -to -Neighbor training opportunities will be posted on the three Aims' campuses, social service agencies, public/private child care centers. New Student Orientation Prospective students receive a personalized orientation, acquainting them with campus opportunities, registration and tuition information and advising. Details of the Neighbor -to - Neighbor program will be distributed at these orientations. Publications/Mailines Aims College's Early Childhood Professions Program has a county -wide mailing of over 200 child care centers, individuals in the child care field, job services and other placement/employment agencies. Neighbor -to -Neighbor program information will be included in these mailings. Schedules of available classes will also include program details. nei2neiLdoc 10 970572 Trainee Assessment After potential participants have been identified, they will be assessed in five areas: (1) interest in child care careers, (2) personal characteristics/temperament to determine capability, emotional capacity and stability, (3) basic academic/employability skills, (4) health and (5) legal background. Assessments will be provided by Human Services and Aims Community College in order to obtain a comprehensive profile of potential participants. Comprehensive assessments will be conducted on an ongoing, flexible basis to meet participant scheduling needs. Additionally, potential participants will be pre-screened through a self -screening instrument administered by the Department of Human Services, minimizing duplication of resources. The following excerpts from the proposed assessment plan highlight the required assessment components. Interest Interest in child care careers will be assessed using either the KUDER, the CAP or the Career Occupational Preference System (COPS). These instruments were chosen for their appropriate literacy level, ease of administration and scoring, and reliability factors. The results of these inventories place individuals in different career clusters. Participants with interests in the "Service Skilled" Cluster will be given a list of representative occupations, which includes Preschool Teacher; Child-care Attendant; Child Monitor; and Nursery School Attendant. These results will be combined with self-awareness exercises to further fine-tune participant interest in child care careers and to determine previous experience with children. Job availability and earnings potential will also be presented and discussed. Canability Capability will be determined in three ways. First, participants will be given an employment inventory that outlines the skills necessary to be successful in child care settings and measures the extent to which they possess these skills. Next, the outcomes of this inventory will be coalesced with the outcomes of individual counseling sessions, during which the participant will be helped in deciding whether a home care situation or an organized center environment is nei2ceitdoc 11 970572 most appropriate. Additionally, outcomes from the Myers -Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) will be analyzed to determine whether or not the participant can provide quality care. Emotional Capacity This phase of the assessment will be used to determine whether or not the individual is emotionally and psychologically capable of taking care of children. In addition to the individual counseling sessions, each participant will be given a MBTI to determine temperament for working with children. Research has shown that some personality types are attracted to and successful in two (2) child -related occupations --Preschool Teacher and Child Care Worker. The "personality type codes" (ISO, ESFP, ENFP, etc.) yielded by the MBTI can provide powerful insight into the individual's capability in achieving success in providing child care. Furthermore, the stressors encountered during the introduction of new material, such as learning how to access occupational employment information via computers, will assist in assessing emotional capacity. Stabili During the assessment process, participants will have the opportunity for self-awareness, career exploration, preparation and participation. Throughout these phases, individuals will be assessed for employability and suitability. As they are asked to examine past work experience, time management, self-esteem and transience records, pictures of their stability emerge as well as their likelihood for self-sufficiency and meaningful employment in child care professions. Furthermore, participants will be become f l ly acquainted with the training program time commitments and requirements and the effort necessary to be successful. Finally, to encourage stability, obtaining and keeping a job are covered and the protocol of child care professions highlighted. Self -Sufficiency The issue of economic self-sufficiency when pursuing careers in the child care profession is problematic, yet surmountable. This model offers several self-sufficiency components, all geared toward helping the participant become not only economically independent, but also a responsible fiscal manager. Initially, throughout the assessment process, participants will be given the realities of child care professions and earnings potential, and informed about the time and energy commitments necessary to achieve the various levels. We are also offering a sequence on financial planning leading to self-sufficiency (more details appear in the training options section). nei2neitdoc 12 970572 Additionally, we are working with a number of agencies to place program graduates/completers in centers with benefits and livable wages. A small business basics course, including accessing start- up cost assistance, will also be offered to those participants choosing to provide child care from their homes. Finally, our model offers career path options (detailed in the training options section). These options, combined with support services while pursuing these options, can lead to beginning annual salaries of $20,000 minimum. Background Checks Background checks will be performed at the beginning of the assessment process and prior to participants enrolling in the training programs. Investigations of all potential participants will be conducted through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Weld County Sheriff's Department and the Human Services Central Registry for Child Abuse. Once eligibility has been determined, participants will be fiirther assessed and training programs selected. Literacy Potential program participants can be assessed for literacy in a variety of different ways: by using the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), through the Aims College Computerized Placement Test (CPT) or through WorkKeys. Both the TABE and CPT cover reading, mathematics, English usage and grammar and yields participants' current literacy levels. These achievement levels will be used to place participants into appropriate program levels and/or provide appropriate remediation. WorkKeys has two components --a job profile and an individual profile. The job profile, which will be conducted at the project's onset, analyzes the child care profession from the field's perspective, ascertaining needed employability skills such as literacy levels and personal characteristics. The individual profile offers the opportunity to be assessed on the skills identified through the job profile. Individuals who do not possess skills that meet or exceed the identified industry standards will be given skill enhancement opportunities (details of which follow in the training program section). Home Assessment Once a program participant has expressed interest in providing home -based child care, WIRS will assist her/him in evaluating the intended home to determine its eligibility for State licensure. The WIRS home evaluation appears in Appendix B. millet doc 13 970572 Health Child Health Connections, a medical organization operating throughout Weld County, will provide complete health physicals at a reduced rate and on -site. (See letter of support in Appendix A). Aims College will work with Child Health Connections to ensure they evaluate each potential participant on the desired physical capabilities required for providing quality child care. Tuberculosis testing is available through Human Services, Head Start, at no charge and at various county/public agencies for nominal fees; and personal physicians can also be used for physicals and tuberculosis testing. Summary In summary, the proposed trainee assessment addresses several major areas --interest, capability, emotional capacity, stability, self-sufficiency, background, literacy, home suitability and health. Assessments will be conducted on an ongoing basis and referring agencies will conduct pre-screening. Table 1, Trainee Assessment Plan, provides an overview of the assessment components, the questions answered during the assessment, the assessment instruments/methodology, the agencies responsible for conducting the assessments, and the timeline for offering these assessments. Because all assessments are currently in place, or have been developed prior to proposal submission, assessment development activities are not included in Table 1. For additional information on assessment instruments and methods, refer to Appendix B. It is important to note that recruiting and assessment activities will continue until we have our minimum number of trainees. Recognizing that recruiting candidates likely to succeed in child care professions might take some time, recruiting efforts and assessment activities will likely continue throughout the first few months of the project. This will still allow ample participant training time, however. nennetdoc 14 970572 k/ i �g h Ongoing and at beginning of each academic Ongoing and at beginning of each academic Ongoing and at beginning of each academic nailer Ongoing and at beginning of each academic Ongoing and at beginning of each academic quarter 3• ( Ongoing throughout project Ongoing throughout project Ongoing throughout project nsible nci Human Services WIRS Weld District #6• k\ ii ka il k8 J/ Human Services Aims College k8 ]J§ k _k /)/\ Aims College Human Services WIRS Weld County Health Dept. Child Health Connection Head Start Physicians Weld Co Health J -CC § ) $ 2\] ■ ' 2 a c. . \ KUDER; COPS; CAP; Self- awareness exercises; Interviews MBTI; Observations; Self-awareness exercises; Counseling sessions MBTI; Observations; Counseling - sessions Self-awareness exercises; Employment history profiles Employability assessment KUDER; Career options profile (COPS) data; Career path options; Small business management course; Personal financial management course Fingerprinting background legal investigation TABE; CPT; WorkKeys State licensing criteria; home visitation Physical examination; MBTI Questions Addt sed Eligible for training? Interest in child care career? Interest in child care career? Able to provide quality care? Prefer home or center setting? Possess emotional capacity to provide child care? Level of stress in life? Stable personal life? Able to complete training, find and keep employment? Able to support self/Emily? Able to manage finances, understand expenses? Legally eligible to work in child care center or to receive State licensing? Possess ne c miry reading level, employability skills? Offer home child care in current dwelling? Able to receive State licensing? Possess sufficient physical stamina, emotional and psychological maturity? / 7 pi e k f k ) Emotional Capacity » = Self Sufficiency Background Checks Literacy / § ® J % A r. 970572 Training Program There are four parts to this section: (1) an overview of the training model including a diagram illustrating the inter -relationships among program components and their respective outcomes; (2) an explanation of component contents; (3) a discussion of tuition and child care assistance options during training; and (4) a summary table showing major training tasks, responsible agencies and implementation timelines. Course outlines showing the relationship of course content to the training criteria required in the RFP are included as Appendix C and are referenced throughout this narrative. Overview of Model The proposed training model was designed based on (a) identified training "best -practices" to maximize success; (b) an understanding of the range of participant needs; (c) the knowledge that child care professions, particularly entry-level positions, often offer low wages; and (d) an understanding that program participants have a relatively short time frame in which to achieve and maintain economic self sufficiency. Therefore, we have built the following features: (a) a skills - based approach offering field -based training such as mentorships and internships; (b) flexible training options; (c) achievement and reinforcement of basic literacy and employability skills; (d) career path/life long learning options leading to higher earnings potential; and (e) personalized, supported training opportunities both throughout and on completion of the training. Our proposed Neighbor -to -Neighbor model offers two training tracks: (1) training for individuals who want to operate family child care homes, and/or (2) training to become employed in child care centers and school age facilities. Recognizing the diverse client needs and interests, our model offers flexibility in this training. For participants not meeting the basic literacy requirements, we will provide individualized basic skills support for obtaining/enhancing necessary academic/literacy/employability skills, including a newly developed course (ECP 095) in child care practices. Once participants complete these required basic skills support courses, they can opt for either the Pre -Licensing Family Child Care Program or the existing Aims College Early Childhood Professions (ECP) courses. Participants showing interest in establishing child care in their homes can choose a 12 -hour video series titled, Pre -Licensing Family Child Care Program, nei2ne1tdoc 16 970572 or the pre -licensing program offered through Wildwood. Either the independent video instruction or the Wildwood program can be taken concurrently with basic skills instruction. Another available training option is existing courses within the Aims ECP sequence. The advantage of this option is that it offers students both skills training for child care careers (either center employees or home care providers) and college credit toward an AAS Degree, the springboard to more responsible positions and higher earnings potential. One final note on these options, students are not "locked in" to either the child care center or the home care provider in the earliest training stages. The structure of these options is such that should participants change their career choices the information from one track is easily transferable to the other. Furthermore, all courses are offered on either a quarterly or ongoing basis so students are able to complete their training within their own individualized time frames and well within the one-year time frame. Tables 2 and 2a, appearing on page 18 illustrates the structure and frequency of both the quarterly course offerings and the open-entry/open-exit training option. Other features of our proposed model include instruction in personal financial management and small business practices. Figure 2, Training Option Components (page 19), illustrates the training options and program components available for program participants, the proposed required content, the participant outcomes as they complete the components, the inter -relationships among each component and the life-long learning/career path options. The hours required to complete each section appear in parentheses. Training Program Components There are three basic options leading to either a child care center provider or home child care provider. Basic Skills Support Family Child Care Pre- Licensing Training Aims ECP Program •Individuali7Pd remediation •ECP 095 Early Childhood Education •Independent Video Training or Wildwood Program •ECP 110 Care of Infants and Toddlers •First Aid/CPR Training •ECP 095 or ECP 101 •ECP 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education •ECP 102 Lab Experience •ECP 110 Care of Infants and Toddlers •First Aid/CPR Training Basic skills support. The Basic Skills Support option is available to clients indicating a high interest in child care professions, a high likelihood to complete a training program and nei2neit.doc 17 970572 Financial Planning/Self Sufficiency Basic Skills Support ECP 095 ECP 101 ECP 102 ECP 110 Family Child Care Pre -Licensing Training Mentorships/Internships Small Business Practices First Aid/CPR ECP Group Leader Courses ECP Associate Degree Courses dvnvnW vnvl W ZF I. nmeszemommognia Financial Planning/Self Sufficiency Basic Skills Support ECP 095 ECP 101 ECP 102 ECP 110 Family Child Care Pre -Licensing Training Mentorships/Intemships Small Business Practices First Aid/CPR ECP Group Leader Courses ECP Associate's Degree Courses - dcncnWvcnXCAZF 4 4 Financial Planning/Self Sufficiency Basic Skills Support ECP 095 ECP 101 ECP 102 ECP 110 Family Child Care Pre -Licensing Training Mentorships/Internships Small Business Practices First Aid/CPR dmvAWCAMXWZF I- .10 <— W •s rt U d 5O W 6 a. c W d a 0 .Q O on E• .a ono N .003 U) Y 8 CJ U 0 .5 c b 6) U E c 02 O a a 0' CO O d 0 0 tit fri r z 00 C 1 970572 Personal Financial Management (10 hours) Budgeting Checkbook Management Monitoring Income and Expenses Saving Borrowing and Repaying Basic Skills Support Individualized remediation programs through Human Services or Aims Continuing Education (10+ hours) or Aims Developmental Education - Math, Englich Communications (50-150 hours) ECP 095 -Modified Early Childhood Education Course (30 hours) Home Care Provider ($1,500-$2,300/month) Family Child Care Pre - Licensing Training Wdlddwood'tranung or Independent video pre - licensing training to qualify as State -licensed Family Child Care Provider (12 hours) and ECP 110 (40 hours) ECP 095 or ECP 101 First Aid/CPR Aims ECP Program ELY 101 (30 hours) ECP 102 (50 hours) ECP 110 (40 hours) First Aid/CPR (participant earns 9 post- secondary credits toward AAS degree) OR Small Business Practices (30-80 hours) Starting a Small Business Licensing Requirements Developing a Business Plan Marketing Managing a Small Business Risk Management Assistant Center Care Teacher ($885-$1,120/month) Career Path Options/Life-long Learning Group Leader Qualification ECP 1 -Year Certification Program ($1,200+/month) Center Director/Owner ECP 2 -Year Associate Degree ($1,80(H/month) Figure 2. Training Program Components - Overview of Options with Outcomes nei2nei4.doc 19 970572 obtain self-sufficiency within the 1 -year time line, and the ability to meet the minimum basic skills standards within an approximate six -week time frame. Once assessed, individualized basic skills support programs will be designed and delivered from the following options: (1) Employment Services individualized, computer -assisted, self -paced instruction in Math, English and communications; (2) courses currently offered in Aims' Developmental Education Department; or (3) through the Aims College Division of Continuing Education on an individualized basis. All instructional options are tailored to individual needs and include computerized, one-on-one instructor -assisted instruction. Additionally, course assignments and exercises reinforce practical application by asking students to complete such tasks as writing letters of application, balancing checkbooks and calculating discounts. Participants can also enroll in ECP 095, a modified child development course tailored to students with lower literacy levels. This course will serve (a) as a prerequisite to the Aims ECP Program, (b) as a quality enhancement to the Family Child Care Pre -Licensing Training Program, (c) as a way to maintain interest in child care professions for those participants unable to meet the basic literacy requirements, and/or (d) as a "leg -up" for more academically -challenged participants subsequently enrolling in ECP 101 and 102. This ECP 095 course, in conjunction with ECP 110 Infant and Toddler Care, covers all the required elements in the RFP. Appendix C provides an overview of the ECP 095 course outline, showing achievement standards, course content and the total hours spent on each topic. Once participants have completed this segment, they can opt into either the home care track or the center care track. The Family Child Care Pre -Licensing Training option is the most direct route for participants interested in opening a home care facility, covering licensing requirements as well as care provider skills. The Aims ECP Program option is the longer, more comprehensive training option, offering skills acquisition and post -secondary credit toward an AAS degree in ECP. It can serve as the foundation for either a home care provider or center care provider. Family child care pre -licensing training program. Either on completion of or while completing basic skills assistance, students can receive instruction in Family Child Care Pre - Licensing Training. There are two training venues identified by our model: Wildwood or Aims College, Division of Continuing Education, training video series. Both programs offer the same aizan.da 20 970572 basic content through different delivery methods. Wildwood holds classes with instructor -assisted training and Aims offers independent video instruction with some instructor interaction and adjunct materials. Both options assist individuals in obtaining home child care licensing and can provide some of the necessary requisites to those individuals interested in offering home child care. Overviews of both options appear in Appendix C. In conjunction with this pre -licensing training, home care provider program participants will receive training in infant and toddler care, covering the growth and development and child care practices of children from birth to three. This information currently exists at Aims in a course, ECP 110, titled Infant and Toddler Care. Additionally, home care providers will take ECP 095, described earlier in this narrative and outlined in detail in Appendix C. A description of ECP 110 also appears in Appendix C. Both courses are offered quarterly and are readily accessed. Also, participants will obtain first aid and CPR training/certification either through WIRS, Aims College, or other community agencies such as Heart Smart. On completion of this program option, participants will move into the small business practices sequence, which will work with WIRS to obtain home care licensing as well as provide instruction in owning, operating and managing a home care enterprise. More details about the small business practices sequence appear later in this section. Aims ECP Program. Another option for either home care or center care providers is the existing course sequence, ECP 101, ECP 102, and ECP 110. (See Appendix C for descriptions of these courses). Not only do these courses offer expanded training on and skills acquisition in the required program components, they also offer post -secondary credit toward an AAS degree in Early Childhood Professions. For participants with higher literacy levels, career path pursuits, and/or ongoing learning interests, these courses are ideal. Each of these classes is offered each quarter, allowing participants the flexibility to complete within their time lines. Moreover, the courses include applied learning, mentoring and internship experiences, and a variety of projects to acquaint participants with child care practices and issues. On completion of this series, participants can move directly into employment as an assistant center teacher, earning from $885 to $1,120 monthly and with health benefits; or they can opt into the small business practices sequence to become a home care provider with potential monthly earnings from $1,500 to $2,300. nei2nca.da 21 970572 Small Business Practices. This training segment is a combination of Colorado's Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Leading Edge Program (outlines of both appear in Appendix D), and Employment Service's PACE Program. These offerings include individualized and group instruction in owning, operating, and managing a small business. The courses involve flexible amounts of intensive training facilitated by a team of instructors, chosen for their ability to counsel small businesses effectively, for their demonstrated ability to manage a business, and for their specific expertise. Highly interactive, the training gives business owners a better understanding of small business operation in general and their business operation more specifically. Topics cover a wide variety of business -related issues, including small business practices, developing business start-up plans, and home safety for child care providers. Moreover, participants are able to access the trainers for ongoing training and expert advice for approximately one year after exiting the training. Another benefit to program participants is the collaboration among the Small Business Development Center, Colorado Leading Edge, Colorado Office of Business Development (OBD), Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Greeley Urban Renewal (GUR) Project. The OBD provides grant support for business development and start-up costs, thus enhancing the feasibility of home care businesses. Both the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the GUR offer bi-lingual counselors and assistance necessary to small business development. Personal Financial Management. One of the chief reasons for both business failures and personal bankruptcy is poor financial management habits. To help instill prudent personal financial management habits, our Neighbor -to -Neighbor model offers training in personal finance. This course, offered through Aims College Division of Continuing Education, will cover a number of fundamental topics, including budgeting, maintaining personal records, consumer credit, insurance and retirement planning. Flexible in nature, this course will be offered on a quarterly basis and can be taken concurrently with or separately from child care training and basic skills support. An outline of topics covered appears in Appendix D. Mentorshins/Internshios. All program participants will be given mentorship and/or internship training opportunities. Participants interested in providing home care will be partnered with current home care providers; those interested in center care will work in center settings prior to program completion. ne da 22 970572 Program Participant Financial Assistance/Incentives The Weld County Neighbors Program has researched a number of financial resources available to the trainees. Aims College has tuition subsidies through its Institutional Grants program for those students enrolling in Aims' courses. These tuition subsidies are grants and therefore not repayable. Human Services, through its Employment Services programs, and Social Services through TANF, offers job training programs. Wildwood offers free courses in pre - licensing training for family child care, Family Connects provides free cluster trainings, and the Colorado Small Business Development Center will donate one-half of its fees for their small business training. WIRS will work with program participants in home assessments and licensing procedures free of charge. Additionally, Project TEACH, operated by the State offers tuition and other financial assistance to students enrolled in child care courses currently employed in child care centers. Should our program participants qualify, we will pursue TEACH financial options. In addition to cash and in -kind contributions, our budget request includes a set aside for business start-up costs for participants interested in opening a home care facility. Items such as fencing, safety items, and educational resources can be purchased through these funds. Job Readiness, Employment Assistance. Business Start-up Resources Job Readiness All program participants will be trained in interviewing skills, completing applications and creating a resume. They will also receive instruction in employability skills such as workplace ethics, team work, communications, problem -solving and conflict resolution. Such instruction is provided in two venues: Employment Services and Aims College. Program participants can select whichever option best meets their individualized training needs. Employment Assistance A number of approaches will be used to assist program participants in gaining self- sufficiency. Employment Services will use their existing network to place participants into child care center openings; FENWC will work with HeadStart to place participants into competitive employment; Aims College's Placement Office and WIRS will serve as resources. Additionally, nei2neitdoc 23 970572 community child care centers offering internships/mentorships will also work to hire program graduates. Business Start-uo Resources Our budget request includes funds for business start-up costs for participants interested in opening home child care facilities. Items such as fencing, safety equipment and educational/recreational resources can be purchased through these funds. Additionally, as part of the small business course, participants will meet with financial representatives who may be able to provide initial funding. Work Plans The work plan showing the tasks associated with each project phase --(a) establishing project management structure, (b) recruiting and marketing, (c) assessing, (d) training and (e) placing --is outlined on the following pages. Each of the team members participating in the activities, the team leader and scheduled completion dates are included. ne1zceadoc 24 970572 WORK PLAN - NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR EVALUATION CRITERIA Marketing materials developed. Area agencies informed of program and recruiting procedures in place PSAs and press release completed Potential program participants identified and referred to assessments. Coordinate and process referrals (exempt providers) from Program AmeriCorps September 15, 1997* Potential program participants Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, AmeriCorps Coordinator Volunteer identified and ic&ned to Volunteer, Aims Community College, Weld School Aims College assessments District #6, Child Care Centers Weld 6 ACTIVITY TEAM TEAM SCHEDULED LEADER MEMBERS DATE OF COMPLETION Human Services August 15, 1997* Social Services WIRS Aims College Distribute marketing materials to area agencies and Program Human Services September 1, 1997* orient to program. Coordinator Social Services WIRS Aims College a .. r a h .. Eg a d woo meny i g Eg JE r II Coordinate and process referrals from Weld County Program Department of Social Services, Public Assistance Coordinator Programs, and Employment Services. H G Phi W V Develop marketing materials to include: brochures and fliers to distribute to community agencies providing services to public assistance recipients. Develop Public Service Announcements and Press Releases regarding program. 970572 EVALUATION CRITERIA Program participants have planned training outlines. Program participants enrolled in training. Participants receive ongoing support. Participants apply skills as mentors/intems. SCHEDULED DATE OF COMPLETION October 5, 1997* r r O. O' o I- 8 S g E. a 3 RiI aa'c1g a. 3 Participant Human Services Aims College Child Care a w TEAM LEADER .� qO ..�� qqqO 22 y. 2 ACTIVITY Determine individualized training plan to include financial needs for program participants (Family Day Care Home or Large Center). Assist participants in enrolling in appropriate training programs. All training programs will contain, at a minimum the following elements: job readiness, child growth & development, early childhood care & education, child nutrition, discipline, child abuse recognition & reporting, safety & health care practices, immunization requirements, working with parents, infant/toddler first aide & CPR. For participants in a Family Day Care Track additional training will include: small business practices, business plans, home safety plans. Monitor participants' progress weekly and adjust plans as necessary. At completion of coursework, participant will complete a minimum of 6 weeks in a mentorship placement in either a day care center or family day care center. a C 0 O b .o to 0 970572 WORK PLAN - NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR 4 z .9 a O a 4 I EVALUATION CRITERIA Potential participants assessed and outcomes recorded Participants determined Participants selected Participants meet legal requirements Participants meet health requirements SCHEDULED DATE OF COMPLETION September 30, 1997 September 15, 1997 September 30, 1997 October 5, 1997 October 5, 1997 October 5, 1997 W 0I1 EH Human Services Social Services WIRS Aims College V a ci 101 Human Services Social Services Aims College Child Health Connections Head Start Physicians TEAM LEADER O }p 4pQQ aV Program Coordinator yo. QRp W V aQq V QQO g V Program Coordinator Administer battery of assessment tools to possible participants in the following order: < Self -Screen < Prescreening, background check < TABE (Literacy), CPI, work keys < KUDER (Interest) < MBTI < Employment Inventory (Capability) Personal Interview (Stability & Self Sufficiency) Determine eligibility criteria based upon outcomes of assessments Select Participants **If interested clients do not meet program eligibility criteria, they will be referred to support programs and agencies for remedial education or nern-cary support services Submit background checks to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Department of Human Services, Child Care Registry. IConduct health assessment 970572 WORK PLAN - NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR EVALUATION CRITERIA Program participants operate child care in their homes and obtain self-sufficiency Program Human Services July, 1998 Program participants employed Coordinator Aims in centers and obtain self- sufficiency SCHEDULED DATE OF COMPLETION a O\ ti T i W g; a 1 1 x TEAM LEADER 0 o U d Family Day Care Home Provider • Provide pre -licensing home assessment. • Determine start-up needs and costs. • Assist in licensing procedures. • Assist in marketing day care services. • Locate employment opportunities. • Determine follow-up support services needed. 970572 WORK PLAN - NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR 0 O .4O G EVALUATION CRITERIA 0 i V. Project activities implemented on time Advisory committee formed, meetings scheduled, and input solicited Protocol in place and participants moving through training successfully. Project outcomes documented SCHEDULED DATE OF COMPLETION August 1, 1997 August 1, 1997 August 1, 1997 August 15, 1997 October 1, 1997 W g Human Services Social Services Aims College WIRS Child Care Centers Human Services Social Services Aims College WIRS Child Care Centers Human Services Social Services Aims College WIRS Child Care Centers Human Services Social Services Aims College WIRS Child Care Centers Human Services Social Services Aims College WIRS Child Care Centers TEAM LEADER I Human Services/Project Coordinator a W Project Coordinator / a , u d Hire a project coordinator to assume management activities Establish process (formative) evaluation to monitor timely implementation of project activities Form advisory committee to guide projects implementation and impact Develop case -management protocol to monitor individual program participant progress Implement outcome (summative) evaluation process 970572 STATE OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SIGNATURE PAGE DATE: January 1, 1997 RFP NO: IHANC712084CCLC DIRECT INOUIRIES TO: Charles E. Neff PHONE: 303-987-4602 DATE RFP DUE : MONDAY, MARCH 31, RETURN RFP TO: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES North/Central Procurement Office 8001 West Mansfield Parkway Denver, CO 80235 1997 AT 2:00 PM (MST) Proposal's properly marked as to RFP NO., DATE and HOUR of opening, subject to the conditions herein stipulated and in accordance with the specifications set forth and/or attached hereto, will be accepted at the address listed above, prior to the date and time listed for the RFP opening. All proposals shall be quoted F.O.B. destination, unless otherwise specified, to the delivery location or jobsite listed herein. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: IHANC712084CCLC TITLE: NEIGHBOR -TO NEIGHBOR AGENCY: DIVISION OF CHILD CARE A MANDATORY OFFERORS CONFERENCE IDENTIFIED IN THE RFP IS NOT MANDATORY. IT WILL BE INFORMATIONAL MEETING TO ANSWER VERBAL INQUIRIES AND WILL BE ADDRESSED IN AN ADDENDUM TO THE RFP. IT WILL TAKE PLACE MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 1997 AT 9:30 A.M. AT THE RED ROCKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 13300 W. 6TH AVE. LAKEWOOD, CO, LAKEWOOD COMMUNITY ROOM. ALL INTERESTED OFFERORS NEED NOT ATTEND IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED. SEE ATTACHED PAGES FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS. IMPORTANT: Proposals submitted in response to this RFP MTT'T be accompanied by this "REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL" sheet and MUST be manually signed in ink. IMPORTANT; Offerors should read the entire RFP document before submitting a proposal. RFP'S MUST BE SIGNED IN INK COMPLETE ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED BELOW: George E. Baxter TYPED OR PRINTED SIGNATURE Wandwrten Signature by Authorized Officer or Agent of Vendor TITLE DATE Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners (,O//77 VENDOR FEIN # B4-6000813 TERMS Terms of less than 30 calendar days will not be considered. VENDOR Weld County Division of Human Services ADDRESS 1551 North 17th AVE, P.O. Box 1805 Greeeley ZIP 30632 PHONE # Board of County Commissioners RETURN THIS ORIGINAL SIGNATURE PAGE WITH YOUR PROPOSAL 970572 BUDGET FORM Agency Weld County Neighbors Program Provide an itemized budget request Refer to your project activities to assure all costs are included. Item Requested Funds (Specify) Cash Amount from other Sources (Specify) In -Kind Contributions (Specify) Total Project Costs 1. Personnel Salaries (Itemize) • Project Coordinator 12,922.00 12,922.00 (25 hrs/wk for 1 year @$9.94/hr. 2. Fringe Benefits (itemize) 2,326.00 2,326.00 • Project Coordinator ($12,922 @ 18%) 3. Travel (itemize) • Client transportation reimbursement • Project Coordinator mileage (500 mi @ .27/mi) 135.00 135.00 4. Equipment (itemize) N/A 5. Supplies (itemize) • Office 75.00 200.00 275.00 6. Contractual costs (itemize) N/A 7. Other (itemize) See attached narrative 9,542.00 2,800.00 (Aims Institutional 6,600.00 18,942.00 Grants) TOTAL 25,000.00 2,800.00 6,800.00 34,600.00 COST PER TRAINEE $636/15 trainees; $477/20 trainees (if costs are different based on the number of trainees, specify the amounts - e.g., $500/trainee for 10-20 trainees; $450/trainee for 21-30 trainees) Signature ofAuthorizeilOfficial GEORGE E. BAXTER, CHAIR WELD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 03/31/97 Date 970572 itAt 1111k COLORADO mEmoRAnuum Weld County Board of County To Commissioners Date March 31, 1997 From Neighbor to Neighbor Training Program Subject: Walter J Speckman Executive Director, DT -IS Presented before the Board is a proposal, whereby; the Division of Human Services will provide and coordinate employment and training services for Public Assistance Recipients in the area of early childhood care and education. The purpose of this proposal is two -fold: 1) To assist public assistance recipients be come self-sufficient and leave the welfare roles, and 2) To increase the availability of child care in Weld County. The total amount requested from the Colorado Department of Human Services is $25,000.00. 970572 Hello