Monday Must Know — July 1

Pay by Enrollment begins on July 15 for all Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) vouchers. Providers will need to log in to I-LEAD to register with the new payment vendor and record child absences. This update will replace the POS machines and swipe cards families currently use to track their child's attendance.

Please review the provider checklist to ensure you are ready for the transition. You can also register for mid-July webinars from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) to learn more about the Pay by Enrollment launch and access support.  

Visit the Pay by Enrollment page to read provider-specific and family-facing FAQs. If you need additional assistance, please contact the SPARK Help Desk at 1-800-299-1627. 

Three-year consent forms for background checks went live today. Going forward, Indiana child care employees must only complete a consent form every three years or when they update their fingerprints.    

The fingerprint process will remain the same. FSSA requires new fingerprints every three years, even when the caregiver changes jobs. If your consent form expires before your fingerprints expire, you will need to submit a consent form twice — once when it expires, and again when you get new fingerprints.   

The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is excited to announce a new Paths to QUALITY™ (PTQ) Level Transfer process. This new process is designed to reduce barriers and create a smooth transition for providers and families. Eligible PTQ Level 3 and 4 providers who move to a new location, open an additional site, or change ownership (resulting in a new license number) will be able to transfer their PTQ level, often without dropping to Level 1.  

Providers at a PTQ Level 3 or Level 4 in good standing will work with SPARK Learning Lab to assess eligibility, enroll their new license, and trigger the required maintenance visit. This process is not currently automatic and requires providers to contact SPARK at least three weeks before a transition.    

Contact SPARK to discuss eligibility for your program.

The application for a free Child Care Management System (CCMS) closes on July 15. Only two weeks remain for this limited time offer for Indiana's early care and education providers. Apply to the CCMS Program by accessing the Opportunities Portal in I-LEAD.

If you've started your CCMS application but need assistance, contact SPARK Learning Lab:  

• Call the SPARK Help Desk at 1-800-299-1627
• Email a SPARK representative at BusinessSupport@indianaspark.com
• Chat with an expert by visiting IndianaSpark.com 

Have other questions? Read the FAQs about CCMS.

INAEYC has several ongoing opportunities for providers to receive coaching, program support, and professional development. Four of these opportunities include: 

Career Coaching
Are you a program leader wanting to collaborate on implementing professional development plans with your staff? Do you need an extra voice of encouragement toward pursuing higher education? Or are you an educator in Indiana interested in taking the next step in your career in early childhood education? Reach out to your INAEYC Workforce Coordinator to learn more about career coaching opportunities.  

Registration for virtual SPARK Provider Support Groups begins today. Anyone can participate in Provider Support Groups, regardless of past participation. 

Starting the week of August 5, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LSCWs) Amanda Kinnaird, Michelle Korty, and Stephan Viehweg will meet with professionals like you to connect in a supportive, caring and, safe environment. These weekly, one-hour sessions will cover topics like:  

• Finding and retaining staff
• Supporting staff during challenging times
• Supporting families who are struggling with life experiences
• Building resiliency and coping skills in ourselves, our staff, and our families 

Spanish support available
SPARK Learning Lab is also excited to welcome Stephan Viehweg to the Provider Support Group space. He will provide this opportunity in Spanish. Register online to engage with peers, celebrate successes, and work through your challenges together.

Have you registered for any of the eleven SPARK Group Coaching opportunities?  

SPARK Learning Lab's Group Learning Coaches are ready to meet you where you are to provide coaching for your program's needs. Register for a group coaching opportunity to gain professional development in areas such as:

• Paths to QUALITY™
• Accreditation
• Infant Toddler
• Active Supervision 

Opportunities run from July to September on select dates. Registration closes early July. Have questions about SPARK Group Coaching? Call the SPARK Help Desk at 1-800-299-1967. 

In-Person Training 

• Friday, July 5 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. ET in Wadesville, IN | Cultivating a Culture of Wellness 

Virtual Training 

• Tuesday, July 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. ET | Paths to QUALITY™ Introduction
• Tuesday, July 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET | Child Care Licensing Orientation 2: Family Child Care Homes