(qriscompendium.org, March 2015)

ID
QRIS name
410 Better Beginnings
98 Quality First
State
Features of community involvement indicators (Center)
Features of family partnership and engagement indicators (Center)
AR
Not applicable
Strengthening Families checklist
Other (Describe)
AZ
None
Parent Teacher conferences
Child assessment results are shared with families
116 California Race to the Top - Early
CA Learning Challenge
Not applicable
Grant Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System
No family partnership and engagement indicators
395 Colorado Shines
CO
91 Delaware Stars for Early Success
DE
143 Palm Beach Quality Counts
FL
There is an Engagement with Community section that
includes referrals for families to appropriate services.
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Child assessment results are shared with families
Other (Describe)
Bulletin
Board
Program develops and maintains active relationships with
schools and community-based agencies.
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Child assessment results are shared with families
Parent education
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
Strengthening Families checklist
None
Bulletin Board
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Community Resource List
Parent Advisory Board
Child assessment results are shared with families
Parent education
Other (Describe)
144 Guiding Stars of Duval
FL
405 Miami-Dade Quality Counts FL
129 Quality Rated
GA
407 Iowa's Quality Rating System IA
149 Steps to Quality
145 ExceleRate Illinois
ID
IL
None
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Parent Advisory Board
Parent Survey
Child assessment results are shared with families
Other (Describe)
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Program has established relationships in the community
Activities with Families
that are mutually beneficial (e.g., programs help community Parent Survey
efforts; community leaders participate and serve as role
Child assessment results are shared with families
models to children in program).
Other (Describe)
Program establishes an opportunity for families to meet at
least twice a year to give support and input to the program
(e.g. family advisory committee/board).
Parent Teacher conferences
Parent Advisory Board
Strengthening Families checklist
Related training
Other (Describe)
Not applicable
Parent Teacher conferences
Parent Advisory Board
Parent Survey
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
Other (Describe)
Not applicable
Parent Teacher conferences
Community Resource List
Child assessment results are shared with families
Parent education
Strengthening Families checklist
Related training
See Award of Excellence for Family & Community
Engagement.
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Other (Describe)
131 Paths to Quality
130 STARS for KIDS NOW
IN
KY
None
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Other (Describe)
None
Written Communication
Activities with Families
Parent Survey
Bulletin Board
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Advisory Board
Parent Survey
~Program participates in community events
Child assessment results are shared with families
~Program has developed informational materials on the
Parent education
program that are in the language of the community, are
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
available for staff to use in the community and are given to Strengthening Families checklist
74 Massachusetts Quality RatingMA
and Improvement
prospective
Systemfamilies
(QRIS)
Related training
25 Maryland EXCELS
137 Great Start to Quality
MD
Not applicable
MI
Community Partnerships: partnerships to provide or
connect families to appropriate comprehensive services;
partnerships that take basic steps to facilitate children's
transition between and among programs, agencies, and
schools; participation in community associations.
Parent handbook
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Child assessment results are shared with families
Bulletin Board
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Advisory Board
Child assessment results are shared with families
Parent education
Programs must provide families with contact information
for health and screening services and family education at
One Star.
Programs must provide families with contact information
with local contact information for famiy support services at
Two Star.
Child assessment results are shared with families
Parent education
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
Other (Describe)
None
Bulletin Board
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Community Resource List
Parent Survey
Child assessment results are shared with families
Parent education
Related training
Other (Describe)
140 Best Beginnings STARS to Quality
MT
Not applicable
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Survey
Parent education
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
Other (Describe)
133 Star Rated License System
None
No family partnership and engagement indicators
None
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Child assessment results are shared with families
Other (Describe)
136 Parent Aware
146 Quality Stars
MN
MS
NC
147 Bright & Early North Dakota ND
132 New Hampshire QRIS
406 FOCUS
NH
NM
125 Nevada Silver State Stars QRISNV
126 QUALITYstarsNY
NY
None
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Parent Survey
Strengthening Families checklist
Other (Describe)
Bulletin Board
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Survey
Child assessment results are shared with families
Strengthening Families checklist
Related training
Include community partners in the self assessment process. Other (Describe)
Bulletin Board
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Survey
Parent education
None
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
Encompassed in in family partnership and engagement
indicators.
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Survey
Parent education
Strengthening Families checklist
Other (Describe)
128 Step Up To Quality
OH
134 Oklahoma Reaching for the Stars
OK
135 Oregon QRIS
OR
90 Pennsylvania Keystone STARSPA
None
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Survey
Child assessment results are shared with families
Parent education
Other (Describe)
None
Bulletin Board
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Parent Advisory Board
Parent Survey
Parent education
Other (Describe)
None
Written Communication
Community Resource List
Parent Survey
Other (Describe)
Bulletin Board
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
In the Transition standard there are several indicators about Community Resource List
transition planning, including transferring child records,
Child assessment results are shared with families
creating a list of community/school stakeholders, and
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
sending letters to community/school stakeholders.
Other (Describe)
408 BrightStars
409 ABC Quality
RI
SC
419 Star Quality Child Care Program
TN
Not applicable
Parent Teacher conferences
Parent Advisory Board
Parent
BulletinSurvey
Board
Included in newly revised standards.
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Community Resource List
Parent Advisory Board
Child assessment results are shared with families
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
Not applicable
Bulletin Board
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Advisory Board
Parent education
Other (Describe)
138 Care About Childcare
UT
24 Virginia Star Quality InitiativeVA
148 STep Ahead Recognition System
VT (STARS)
None
Bulletin Board
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Parent Survey
Parent education
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
Other (Describe)
None
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent education
Initial/Intake/Orientation meeting
~Annually assessing program's family-strengthening
practices using a Child Development Division or Department
of Education approved tool
~Continuous improvement plan to implement and maintain
practices related to strengthening families' protective
factors
~Written leadership philosophy for the program; providing
leadership in the profession through engagement in local,
statewide, or national activities and initiatives
Parent handbook
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Community Resource List
Parent Survey
127 Early Achievers
124 YoungStar
WA
WI
~Provide information about community based programs
available for parents in languages represented in the facility
(e.g. community mental health, child nutrition, physical
fitness, food banks, Child Find, medical/dental resources
etc.)
Community Resource List
~Dedicated time for teaching staff to engage in reflective
Parent education
practice with peer group on a monthly basis
Strengthening Families checklist
None
Written Communication
Parent Teacher conferences
Activities with Families
Parent Advisory Board
Parent education
Strengthening Families checklist
Other (Describe)
Features of family partnership and engagement indicators, Describe (Center)
~Family Partnership indicators embedded in the PAS tool
~Strengthening Families checklist a requirement at Level 2 and Level 3
Parent Teacher conferences are expected at least once per year and child assessments are recommended
to include family input.
Not applicable
~The program provides opportunities for staff and families to get to know one another
~Families are included in planning and decision-making for the program
~Program supports transitions for families
~Program maintains active relationships with the schools
~Program maintains active relationships with community-based agencies
~Family Handbook is written and includes parental rights and responsibilities
~Signed acknowledgement of receipt of handbook by parent
~Minimum of 3 modes of communication are used to share child and program information with families
~At least 2 family activities per year provided
~Families are invited to scheduled family-teacher conferences to review child's progress and needs and to
set goals, 2x/year
~Activities provided for children and families to assist with transition to new settings within the child care
program and/or to kindergarten
~Families have opportunity to evaluate the provider in writing at least annually
~Resources are available to communicate with families in the family's primary language
~Activity suggestions are developed with staff and families for children identified with delays
~Transition planning
~Developmental screening
~Resources available in the family's primary language
At highest level, teachers conduct home visits if families are comfortable with them. For infant-serving
programs, they have current designation as a "Breastfeeding Friendly Facility" by the Florida Department of
Health.
~Program has conducted the Strengthening Families self-assessment within the past year and has
developed a written improvement plan to address 1-4 of the strategy areas
~Policies and practices that address inclusion, confidentiality of child records, and encouragement of family
involvement
~Program or director is a member of a professional organization specific to age group for whom care is
provided
~Annual conferences are held with parents
Other indicators include a child abuse and neglect prevention policy, communication strategies,
Strengthening Families Self-Assessment, communication system, social/educational/volunteer
opportunities, partnership with families and agencies, promotion of two-way communication, family
participation in program development, use of the Protective Factors Framework.
~A plan for daily communication between teaching staff and families
~Parent handbook is a licensing requirement
~Many indicators are included in our Award of Excellence for Family & Community Engagement
Program evaluation is completed annually by families and staff.
Not applicable
~Programs offer opportunities for parents to meet with classroom staff, at least monthly
~Program maintains ongoing communication with the school/early intervention program, CFCE grantee,
mental health providers to facilitate collaboration and coordination of services that support children and
families
~A daily two way communication system is available between the educators and families through a variety
of means
~Families are encouraged to volunteer in the program, to assist in the classroom, and share cultural and
language traditions or other interests such as their jobs, hobbies and other relevant information
~Program ensures all children and families have access to comprehensive screenings, referrals and services
including developmental screening, mental health screening, speech screening, speech therapy, physical
therapy, occupational therapy, dental health care, and nutrition services
Not applicable
Not all of the items checked reflect actual indicators within the standards; however, they are examples of
how providers may evidence meeting specific indicators. In addition to the items checked the following are
captured in Michigan's indicators:
~Classroom staff engages in informal communication with parents
~Classroom staff engages in formal communication with parents
~Communication, education and informational materials presented to families in diverse ways to meet
their needs
~Opportunities for parents to participate in program governance
Family engagement is embedded across all of the Parent Aware indicator categories. The following
indicators were mentioned elsewhere in this survey, but were not called out as family engagement
indicators. They include: PH1a. Provides all families with contact information for health and screening
services, TR1a. Provides families with contact information for one or more local family education options,
including but not limited to Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programs, PH2a. Provides all families
with local contact information for family support services, TR2a. Offers orientation meetings for new
parents that include a discussion about their preferences, AC2a. Gives families copies of observation
summaries prepared using authentic observation practices, PH3a. Has a plan for assisting families with
accessing family support services, program gives families copies of written guidelines about the importance
of providing healthy meals and copies of sample menus, and AC3e. Provides families with child assessment
results.
~Newsletter
~Parent/Family volunteer program
10%-15% children in center must be high needs.
Not applicable
Written information shared with families about the availability of screening and early intervention in the
community.
Programs must allow families of enrolled children into the program at all times.
~Generally welcoming environment for parents
~Displaying family photos
~Ensuring posters and signs in families' languages
~Families involved in decision making about learning goals for children
~Family Engagement materials
~Staff encourage families to share cultural heritage and practices, etc. within classroom on daily basis
~Parents participate in program Self-Assessment
~Display lesson plans to families
Not applicable
Program provides regular opportunities for parents to participate in program-level decisions.
~Transition planning
~Educational training and/or workshops offered to families
~Programs and parents collaborate to create annual written, developmental and/or educational goals for
children
~Program has an organized and active parent volunteer group
~Program uses a formal family engagement model
~Program works with families to develop individual educational goals with families
~Program creates individualized transitions plans for children transitioning into, within, and out of the
program, in consultation with families
~Families are welcome into the program at all times
~Program provides a family resource areas including items such as books, pamphlets, and articles on
children and family issues
~Licensing requirements available to families
~Families are encouraged to be regular and frequent participants in their child's program
~Programs use family input and feedback to guide program planning and policy decisions
~Newsletter
~Parent Participation in Program
~2-star level:compliance with Head Start Performance Standards or NAEYC accreditation are accepted in
lieu of evidence for the two-way communication standard
~Without Head Start or NAEYC accreditation, programs must provide evidence of three program offerings
to engage families in two-way communication and conduct an annual family survey
~Additionally, at the three-star level and higher, all programs must have parent teacher conferences. At the
five-star level programs must also have an Advisory Board
~Additional partnership indicators included in newly revised mandatory standards currently being piloted
as of 2014
~Parent meetings and activities
~Group parent meetings
~Offers parents an annual opportunity to evaluate the curriculum
~Structure and parent involvement in aspects of the program.
Family Involvement criteria:
~Families are invited to spend time with their child at the program prior to enrollment
~Written monthly calendar of events posted and given to every family
~Program provides parents with their own copy of parent handbook/packet
~Program conducts an enrollment orientation meeting for new families
~Family conferences are held at least twice a year
~Program provides opportunity for families to share knowledge about their children
~Families are given written information about their child
~Program has a written policy describing how transitions occur when children change classrooms or begin
their first year in school
~Program provides opportunities for families to share their family traditions
~Photos of the children and their families are displayed in appropriate spaces
~Families have the opportunity to volunteer in the program
~Program schedules family social activities on different days of the week and/or different times of the day
to accommodate varying family needs
~Families receive monthly information from and about the program through written newsletters or social
media
~Program has a family bulletin board used for information sharing
~Families are involved in the planning of activities and/or menu options
~Program offers families opportunities for educational workshops
~Families who do not speak the same language as the caregiver are able to share their language with the
child care program
Individual and group meetings for parents specific to kindergarten transition.
Not applicable
~Partner with parents to determine perception of child strengths and needs
~Evidence of transition plans/policies in place for changes in settings and providers
~Families encouraged to observe the program
~Frequent, regular, on-going communication with parents through a variety of communication strategies
~If there are children in the program who attend school, communication between staff and school staff
helps ensure smooth transitions from school to program and program to school