Changes to Quality First Participation and Program Benefits
Thank you for being part of Quality First (QF), a program of First Things First (FTF). Federal COVID-19 relief funding allowed Arizona to further invest in child care by temporarily expanding FTF strategies such as QF participation, QF scholarships, early childhood mental health consultation and professional development. Learn more about how Arizona used this funding to strengthen child care in our state. This funding was provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Child Care Administration.
These FTF strategies will no longer receive federal funding beginning July 1, 2024. We know there are questions about how this will affect QF participants and families using QF Scholarships. We invite you to attend your regional area’s Quality First Forum to understand how FTF is approaching the end of ARPA funding. You’ll also hear more about program updates, meet other providers in your community and have the opportunity to ask questions.
Thank you for all that you do for Arizona’s children and families.
Quality First Expansion-funded programs will transition to a new status.
Beginning on July 1, 2024, programs that joined Quality First through temporary federal pandemic relief funding, known as expansion-funded programs, will transition to one of three statuses. All expansion-funded programs will be notified about their transition by the end of May. You can find your funding source on the extranet profile summary. Your QF coordinator, coach and child care health consultant will work with you to ensure a smooth transition.
1. FTF Regional Funding:
Some programs will move into FTF regionally funded Quality First openings as they become available. Selection is limited and will be based on regional funding availability and FTF priorities, with an emphasis on programs serving children in high-need communities.
2. External Funding:
A limited number of programs will be able to continue their participation through an external funding option as a part of their participation in the Preschool Development Grant or High-Quality Early Learning program through the Arizona Department of Education.
3. Waiting List:
Programs not moved to regional funding or funded externally will be placed on a waitlist until an opening is available. To support their continued quality improvement journey, programs will receive resources and a quarterly newsletter sharing free or low-cost opportunities.
Increased scholarship reimbursement rates will continue, but available scholarships will decrease.
FTF’s state Board voted to raise the reimbursement rates for Quality First Scholarships to the 2021 cost of quality. Since November 2022, this difference between Quality First scholarship rates and the cost of quality has been paid with federal funds to participants who are contracted with DES. In August 2023, FTF’s state Board voted to continue funding scholarships at this higher rate after federal funding ends in recognition of the current cost of quality child care and to help maintain quality environments.
The increased reimbursement rates for QF Scholarships at the cost of quality will maintain the rates paid throughout this year, which is between 33% to 118% (depending on the age groups served) higher than pre-federal funding rates. The FTF regional partnership councils invest significant funding to support QF Scholarships and will continue their investment of over $40 million across the state. However, the increased reimbursement rates will result in fewer QF scholarships.
Access to Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) will continue.
Early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) for early care and education providers will remain available through FTF regional funding. However, availability is limited. ECMHC will continue to be funded in the following FTF regions: Cochise, East Maricopa, Graham/Greenlee, Navajo Nation, Northwest Maricopa, Phoenix North, Phoenix South, Pima South, Pinal, San Carlos Apache, Southeast Maricopa, Southwest Maricopa, Yavapai and Yuma. ECMHC will also be funded in the following FTF regions, Coconino and La Paz/Mohave, starting July 1, 2024.
If you are interested in early childhood mental health consultation services for your program, please contact Southwest Human Development Smart Support Program at 1-866-330-5520.