Pennsylvania early childcare providers, did you receive an Eligibility and Acceptance Letter from your Early Learning Resource Center regarding the Keystone STARS CQI Award? Congratulations! This funding opportunity, provided by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), will help you improve the quality of your early childhood program so you can better serve children and families in your community.
Award recipients like yourself could receive between $500 and $7,000 to spend on eligible projects, professional development opportunities, and classroom materials. The exact amount of your funding reward will depend on the type of facility you operate and your licensed capacity.
No matter the amount of your Keystone Award, you may wonder how to get the most out of your funding dollars. Are there any restrictions regarding what you can spend your award funding on? When will you receive award funding? How long will you have to spend your funds once you receive them? Will you need to report your spending?
As a leading supplier of early learning furnishings, resources, and classroom materials for the past 50 years, we understand the role funding plays in the success of early childhood programs and the educational achievement of the children they serve. This article will answer the questions above so you can confidently accept and spend your Keystone STARS CQI Award funding.
What is the Keystone STARS CQI Award?
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced the Keystone STARS CQI Awards in an effort to improve and support Pennsylvania's early learning and school-age programs. This funding opportunity is for all Keystone STAR 2, 3, and 4 providers who hold a regular DHS Certificate of Compliance.
Award recipients can expect anywhere from $500 to $7,000 in funding for projects, classroom materials, and furnishings purchased between July 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Keystone STARS CQI Award?
To be eligible for the Keystone STARS CQI Award, you must meet the following requirements as of August 1, 2024, AND at the time your award payment is issued by your Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC): - You must hold a regular DHS Certificate of Compliance
- Your program must be designated as a Keystone STAR 2, 3, or 4 program and is not in a Keystone STARS Suspension status
- You must not owe liens/liabilities to the Commonwealth
- Have completed the reporting requirements for the 2023-24 CQI Awards and/or
- Not have an open referral at the Office of the Attorney General or an ongoing repayment plan with an ELRC for fund recoupment associated with ARPA Stabilization Grants, Workforce Support Grants 1.0, and Workforce Support Grants 2.0
How much funding is available through the Keystone STARS CQI Award?
The amount of funding you receive depends on your early childcare program and your STAR status. Use the following chart to determine the amount of funding you could receive:
|
|
Maximum Award Amounts |
||
|
Provider Type |
STAR 2 |
STAR 3 |
STAR 4 |
|
Family Child Care Home |
$500 |
$1,000 |
$1,500 |
|
Group Child Care Home |
$1,000
|
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
|
School Age Only Provider |
$1,000
|
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
|
Category 1 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (6-26) |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
|
Category 2 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (27-38) |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
$3,000 |
|
Category 3 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (39-49) |
$2,500 |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
|
Category 4 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (50-62) |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
$4,000
|
|
Category 5 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (63-77) |
$3,500 |
$4,000
|
$4,500 |
|
Category 6 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (78-93) |
$4,000 |
$4,500 |
$5,000 |
|
Category 7 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (94-113) |
$4,500 |
$5,000 |
$5,500 |
|
Category 8 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (114-138) |
$5,000 |
$5,500 |
$6,000 |
|
Category 9 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (139-180) |
$5,500 |
$6,000 |
$6,500 |
|
Category 10 Child Care Center (Licensed Capacity of (181+) |
$6,000 |
$6,500 |
$7,000 |
What types of projects can I fund with the Keystone STARS CQI Award?
This grant helps Pennsylvania's early education programs and facilities improve the quality of care they provide children and families. While you cannot use the Keystone CQI Award for major renovations or the purchase of land, among other things, you can use this funding to cover the cost of: - Staff qualifications and professional development
- Conference attendance for you or your staff
- Minor facility renovations
- Changing tables and supplies that keep classrooms sanitary, promote proper hygiene, and assist children with toilet training
- Toys and books that encourage early language development
- Comfortable seating and area rugs that give your classroom a home-like, inviting feel
- Creating an outdoor space that includes play equipment to support physical, social-emotional, and motor development
- A new curriculum that helps children in your program meet desired learning outcomes
- Classroom furniture, such as shelving units, tables, and chairs
- Learning center materials and educational manipulatives
- Developmental assessment tools that help parents and educators detect developmental delays that may require specialist interventions
If you need help ordering items that meet the Keystone STARS CQI Award requirements, please reach out to a Pennsylvania territory representative. They will be happy to answer your questions and create a custom quote for items that meet your specific needs.
When Will I Receive Grant Funding, and How Long Will I Have to Spend It?
Starting September 3, 2024, eligible programs will receive a Keystone STARS CQI Award Eligibility and Acceptance Letter from their Early Learning Resource Center. This letter may arrive either electronically or through the United States Postal Service. When you receive your letter, it should include:- The maximum dollar amount of the award you are eligible to receive
- The eligible spending categories
- The legal requirements to use the funds and submit a final expense report
- Timeline requirements
- An attestation statement
What do I do after receiving the Keystone STARS CQI Award Eligibility Letter?
Anyone who receives an eligibility letter must first review it, writing on the physical copy the dollar amount they wish to receive (up to the maximum allowable amount). Once complete, sign, date, and return the letter to your Early Learning Resource Center through email, fax, or USPS. Your letter must arrive at the ELRC no later than December 13, 2024.
Will I Need to Report My Grant Spending?
Yes! After spending your award funding on eligible expenses, you must submit a Keystone STARS CQI Award Final Expense Report electronically or through USPS. This report will be available in Excel or PDF format, which you will use to detail your award spending. Send this report to your Early Learning Resource Center once it is finalized.
Where Can I Shop for Eligible Items and Materials?
With the Pennsylvania Keystone STARS CQI Award now available, it is time to start planning and shopping for the supplies and materials needed to improve the quality of your facility and early learning programs.
With Kaplan, you can make this process easier by connecting with a Pennsylvania territory rep who is up-to-date on all information regarding the Keystone STARS CQI Award and will help you choose the best materials for your program and the children in your care. To connect with a Pennsylvania territory rep, click here.
