IDEC Listening Session Discussion Notes 9/24 by

2024-09-24 16:31:26 UTC

Notetaker: Ensure payments are timely to agencies.

2024-09-24 16:31:47 UTC

Notetaker: After finalizing all of the new services, will this information be available for future review by providers or parents

2024-09-24 16:32:07 UTC

Notetaker: The state should stop providing block grants to the city of Chicago and instead manage PFA and PI directly. It seems unfair for Chicago to receive funding for grant administration when they have a vested interest in supporting CPS, which may not align with the best interests of children and families in the city. The new department should also take steps to change that legislation to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources. +1

2024-09-24 16:32:56 UTC

Notetaker: The State needs to work in more collaboration with Federal and support one another when it comes to blending/braiding funds. For example, passing the bill that all automatically HS/EHS families are eligible for CCAP.

2024-09-24 16:33:50 UTC

The state needs to work more in collaboration with Federal and support one another when it comes to blending/braiding funds. Ex: passing a bill that all automatically HS/EHS families are eligible for CCAP

2024-09-24 16:34:47 UTC

Notetaker: Also allow Federal programs to access the State's Smart Start Workforce Grants

2024-09-24 16:35:27 UTC

What services are available to support children? Will there be a list of services that providers can access?

2024-09-24 16:35:33 UTC

Notetaker: Ratios are too high for infants especially. 1:4 / 3:12 group size is too high

2024-09-24 16:36:50 UTC

Notetaker: Will this group work on making ratios more realistic? Need more teachers.

Need specialized ece professionals i.e. SPED, Bilingual/ESL

2024-09-24 16:36:54 UTC

Create one data system so we aren't having to use several systems (i.e. COPA, Child Plus, CSD CARES, etc) There are several programs that have to use all these systems and it is requiring staff to do triple the work when we could focus on other areas of program operations.

Notetaker: How will parents be able to access programs that can support children with disabilities and developmental delays. Some programs and staff are unable to support those kids and the workforce is overwhelmed. Resources are needed for staff in this regard.

2024-09-24 16:36:54 UTC

2024-09-24 16:37:36 UTC

Notetaker: Data Systems

2024-09-24 16:38:17 UTC

Notetaker: access to resources

maybe we can send kids with resources to make families aware of what is in the area

2024-09-24 16:38:35 UTC

Allow federal programs to access the state's smart start workforce grants

2024-09-24 16:39:02 UTC

Also allow Federal programs to access the State's Smart Start Workforce Grants

2024-09-24 16:40:18 UTC

Notetaker:

We struggle with parents language. Navigate system. Long wait for EI evaluations

2024-09-24 16:40:58 UTC

Notetaker: As a parent of a child who received services through EI and who is familiar with the EC system, the referral system was very overwhelming. It was difficult to navigate who was managing what part of our case, everyone we interacted with also seemed overextended/rushed, making it difficult to communicate in general.

2024-09-24 16:41:30 UTC

Notetaker:

CPS not having to compete or write the Preschool for All grant. This disadvantages center-based programs. Disparate qualifications required by different EC programs. Competition for talent and resources.

2024-09-24 16:41:52 UTC

Many parents are not aware about how to support their children's development. The new department should have a dept on promoting developmental and behavioral health. Workshops to educate parents about the importance of early childhood and early intervention could address this challenge. Workshops for parents can be help them learn strategies for raising healthy kids.

2024-09-24 16:42:29 UTC

In Chicago, Children with IEPs should receive their service minutes in their LRE (their home community based organization) rather than be bused to nearby CPS schools.

2024-09-24 16:42:48 UTC

Family childcare providers who work alone will need support to partner with a head start program. They usually work alone and they will need individualized support to maintain the head start partnership

2024-09-24 16:44:28 UTC

There is a growing competition in Chicago for K- enrollment and thus CPS is in competition for HS.

2024-09-24 16:45:01 UTC

Notetaker: Work on more formally integrating Family friend and neighbor care into ECE system

2024-09-24 16:45:19 UTC

Tracking referrals in real time, have the real information to the families about how others options they have to help them to pay for the program they applied because each program have different funding

2024-09-24 16:46:16 UTC

Coordinated Intake with CPS. If a family qualifies for Head Start, they should be initially directed to a Head Start program where they can receive family support services, rather than directed to school based preschool.

2024-09-24 16:46:41 UTC

Equity in pay and benefits between qualified CPS EC providers and what HS can offer staff.

2024-09-24 16:46:51 UTC

Flexible Programs:

Adaptable Scheduling: Offer flexible hours for childcare and educational programs to accommodate varying family needs.

Remote Access: Use technology to provide remote learning and support, making resources more accessible.

2024-09-24 16:47:42 UTC

I would love to see a public/private initiative to advocate for private pay centers are encouraged to accept CCAP. The application process is lengthy and the complications with submitting invoices and receiving payment is very complicated.

2024-09-24 16:48:05 UTC

Absolutely pay parity between school districts and CBO's

2024-09-24 16:48:40 UTC

Notetaker: Absolutely pay parity between school districts and CBO's @ Rita Nolan.

2024-09-24 16:49:07 UTC

Notetaker: I would love to see a public/private initiative to advocate for private pay centers are encouraged to accept CCAP. The application process is lengthy and the complications with submitting invoices and receiving payment is very complicated.

2024-09-24 16:49:12 UTC

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for EC students - need additional staff to offer focused MTSS to help remediate issues not necessarily caused by development issues (and where IEP may not be appropriate intervention)

2024-09-24 16:49:24 UTC

Notetaker: Equity in pay and benefits between qualified CPS EC providers and what HS can offer staff.

2024-09-24 16:49:37 UTC

Notetaker: Flexible Programs:

Adaptable Scheduling: Offer flexible hours for childcare and educational programs to accommodate varying family needs.

Remote Access: Use technology to provide remote learning and support, making resources more accessible.

2024-09-24 16:49:52 UTC

Notetaker: MTSS for EC students.

Strengthening provider pipeline

2024-09-24 16:50:40 UTC

Notetaker: make a plan for have more funding to hire more providers, and maybe college students they be a providers

Working well

2024-09-24 16:50:58 UTC

Trauma based training for staff through University of Chicago

2024-09-24 16:51:00 UTC

make a plan for have more funding to hire more providers, and maybe college students they be a providers

Working Well

2024-09-24 16:53:22 UTC

Emotional supports for staff

Question

2024-09-24 16:54:33 UTC

How will the requirements for being a HS teacher and a CPS teacher change under one governing body?

2024-09-24 16:56:06 UTC

do sites visit to sites for review, support and supervisar the programs

Question

2024-09-24 16:56:23 UTC

How will the standards (DCFS, HSPS, CELS) change being under one?

Question

2024-09-24 16:56:39 UTC

Will there be trauma services for new mom, ages 18 to 24. They also have challenges with raising children

2024-09-24 16:56:54 UTC

have a good communication with the familes

Improving Communication to Parents/Caregivers

2024-09-24 16:57:12 UTC

I hope this new agency will make thing equitable. I work at a center where receive trauma trading, education, support. Families support etc. But other place don't get that support

Can the new Dept develop an initiative to help expand mental health providers in schools?

2024-09-24 16:59:37 UTC

How will the new state department hold early childhood centers and school head starts accountable for following teacher and student ratios?

2024-09-24 17:00:39 UTC

We have had trumendous difficulty working with DCFS on opening new centers and adjusting age ranges of classrooms to meet the needs of the community. The background check process is extensive and most often holds back licensing flow and approval. The background check clearances must be separated from the approval process other wise we loose families due to delays, struggle to keep staff hired as pre-open and have unnecessary waiting time.

2024-09-25 16:27:50 UTC

There should be a clear pathway to become teacher qualified and director qualified to meet both DCFS and Gateways qualifications. The qualifications should be equal amongst the state agencies. This should be publicly funded the same way PEL scholarships are provided.

2024-09-25 16:30:33 UTC

I think there should be a Chicago Specific portion of the IDEC to support special needs students, families and providers on the transition and placement process when selecting the appropriate child care and school options. Much like the start of the IEP process, the selection and placement process should have the legal and governmental support to provide proper support and access for families in need.

2024-09-25 16:32:36 UTC

There must be more support including better option and availability for working families who need before and aftercare and year round programming for students enrolled in CPS.

2024-09-25 16:34:03 UTC

Student loan forgiveness should be offered to for profit ece workers.

2024-09-25 16:35:00 UTC

Agree to and set a timeline to make amendments to the 407 instead of having things pending for forever. There should be a better system to involve public comments and input on amendments as well as providing feedback to public notes that were submitted for comment.

2024-09-25 16:36:47 UTC