FY 2021–22 CSPP Expansion RFA FAQ
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021–22 California State Preschool Program (CSPP) Expansion Request for Applications Frequently Asked Questions.- What is a Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN)?
CSPP contractors may provide services via a FCCHEN, when the CSPP services are provided for CSPP eligible children by family childcare home providers in licensed family childcare homes. Pursuant to California Education Code (EC) Section 8223(a) Contractors operating through a FCCHEN shall do all of the following:
- Recruit, enroll, and certify eligible families
- Recruit, train, support, and reimburse licensed family childcare home providers
- Collect family fees in accordance with contract requirements
- Assess, according to the standards set by the department, the educational quality of the program offered in each family childcare home in the network
- Assure that the developmental profile is completed for each child based on observations of network staff, in consultation with the provider
- Monitor requirements, including quality standards, and conduct periodic assessments of program quality in each family childcare home affiliated with the network
- Ensure that basic health and nutrition requirements are met
- Provide data and reporting in accordance with the contract requirements
Additionally, in accordance with EC Section 8223(b), each contractor shall ensure that staff have sufficient training to successfully accomplish the above requirements. - Will Family Child Care Home providers operating a CSPP via a FCCHEN be required to meet the permit required for teachers?
Yes. Family child care home providers providing CSPP services in a FCCHEN operated under a CSPP contract, must meet permit requirements outlined in the EC Section 8295.
- How do we familiarize ourselves with the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), and the Desired Results System?
For information and resources on the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) and the Desired Results System, visit the Desired Results for Children and Families website at DRDP web page
- Can an agency submit an application to operate a full-day/full-year CSPP for less than 246 days?
In accordance with EC Section 8207(c), the minimum days of operation (MDO) for CSPP full-day/full-year programs are 246 days per year, unless the contract specifies a lower number of days of operation and a lower MDO is approved in the contract. An agency proposing to operate a full-day/full-year CSPP for less than 246 days must include a justification for operating less than the required MDO when submitting the application. The Justification for Operating Days form can be accessed at Justification for Operating Days (PDF).
- What determines if a family and/or child is eligible for CSPP services?
State law and regulations determine the eligibility and need criteria for CSPP services. The eligibility and need requirements for CSPP services, at least as of July 1, 2021, can be found summarized in the CSPP contract terms and conditions (CT&C) and the CSPP program requirements. The CT&C, and the CSPP program requirements can be accessed at CSPP Funding Terms and Conditions.
Contractors are kept informed of any changes to eligibility and need requirements for CSPP services due to changes in law or regulations through the issuance of Management Bulletins.
- If teachers have applied for a permit to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), does that count as holding a permit?
No. Teachers must possess appropriate child development permits issued by the CTC. The CTC permit matrix is available on the CTC web page
- For Full-Day/Full-Year CSPP Worksheets A-1 and A-2: What if an agency serves a child that falls under multiple adjustment factor categories? Should that child be reported multiple times?
No. If a child falls under multiple categories, choose only one adjustment factor. Do not report the child more than once. Consider choosing the appropriate adjustment factor that will allow for maximum reimbursement for your agency.
Note: The mental health adjustment factor may be claimed in addition to any other adjustment factor category.
- For Part-day/Part-year Worksheet B-1: Should the total certified children be the capacity of one session or two sessions?
If you are proposing to operate more than one session at a part-day/part-year site, the “Total Certified Children” on Part-Day/Part-Year Worksheet B-1 should reflect the total number of children you propose to serve for all sessions at the site.
- How does an agency report a day of operation if they have more than one site? For example, if the agency has three sites open on the same day, is that counted as three days of operation?
No. Service at any one site is considered one day of operation for the agency. Therefore, if an agency operates one day at multiple sites, it is still considered only one day of operation. Do not double report days of operation.
- Is Start-up Allowance additional funding and separate from the contract Maximum Reimbursable Amount (MRA)?
No. Start-Up Allowance is not additional funding and is a part of the total contract MRA. Remember that start-up allowance is a “service level exemption,” which allows for reimbursement of expenses an agency incurs prior to full enrollment of children in a new or expanding program.
- If an agency has a licensed facility, on what date can services begin?
Services may begin upon the agency’s receipt of a fully executed contract. A contract is executed only after both the CDE’s authorized representative, and the agency’s authorized representative have signed the contract.
- Can a Local Education Agency (LEA) apply for funds and sub-contract a portion of them to another Non- LEA agency?
Yes, however, all subcontracts not otherwise exempt must be approved by the CDE in accordance with the regulations. If approved, the applicant contractor remains responsible for ensuring that the subcontractor complies with all administrative, programmatic and fiscal requirements of the CSPP contract.