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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.