The QCC County Program Profile provides county data from the Common Data File (CDF) and the Annual Progress Report (APR). For counties that are a part of a consortium, the QCC County Program Profile provides a combined view of the CDF and APR. Both qualitative and quantitative data are presented to provide a local view of early learning and care climate.

Outreach and recruitment for upcoming Quality Matters programs take place between May and August; we prioritize private centers and family child care homes who serve low-income families and children. We partner with our resource and referral agency (CocoKids) to outreach and recruit new sites, and to provide information sessions to interested participants. Our coaching team plays a key role in this process as well. Once sites express interest to participate in Quality Matters, they receive an application packet. When the application process is completed, sites are assigned a quality improvement coach. Assessments and ratings happen between six and nine months after programs apply to Quality Matters.

Coaching dosage for QRIS sites is determined by site tiers, program type, and individual needs as follows:

• New programs—Minimum of two on-site coaching visits monthly.
• Title V sites at Tiers 4 and 5—Consultation via email, phone calls, and/or group meetings to support the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) completion, rating visits, and linkages to professional development resources. In case of extenuating situations, such as significant staff changes and/or change of leadership, then coaching visits may be required.
• Private centers (Title 22) and family child care homes at Tiers 4 and 5, and newly rated sites at Tier 4 (regardless of program type)—Once a month or bi-monthly (every other month) on-site coaching visits depending on programs’ needs.
• Sites at Tiers 2 and 3—One to two on-site coaching visits per month.

Quality Improvement System (QIS) sites will be assigned a Quality Improvement Navigator (QIN) and are required to participate in communities of practice (CoPs). The QIN will provide technical assistance to sites to support them on the development of the site’s QIP, provide professional development training resources, and provide linkages to county-wide general resources. The goal for QIS sites is to become a QRIS within one year of participation in Quality Matters. First 5 Contra Costa, Contra Costa County Office of Education, and CocoKids collaborate to offer a wide array of professional development opportunities for Quality Matters providers. Training offerings and descriptions are available at www.plan4kids.org.

Finance incentives to Quality Matters providers are calculated based on their tier rating. In Colusa, we leverage funds to ensure that we implement an equitable QRIS for state-funded, public sector, and Title 22 programs. Quality Matters participants have priority in participating in our local Professional Development Program (PDP), which constitutes a partnership between AB 212 and Local First 5 Colusa funds. The goal of the program is to incentivize workforce degree attainment. The Quality Child Care Matters link (http://www.qualitychildcarematters.org/providers/) includes a rubric for calculation of grant disbursements for Quality Matters programs, as well as financial incentives for PDP participants.