On November 22, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) submitted its five year plan for YoungStar, the state’s approved childcare quality rating improvement system (QRIS), to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC).
As requested by JFC, the five year plan outlines the policy and fiscal structure for the implementation of YoungStar as requested by JFC. The plan describes (as stated in DCF Secretary Bicha’s introductory letter to JFC Co-Chairs Miller and Pocan):
- The design of the rating system including participation guidelines, indicators for the point system, the estimated number of providers at each star rating level, and provider qualification;
- The implementation process including regional administration, estimated revenues and expenditures, collaboration with DPI, and before and after-school providers;
- Provider outreach including training and technical assistance, micro-grants, reconsideration and the appeals process, and a communication plan; and
- Parent outreach including communication and the availability and parent access of provider ratings.
