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IdahoSTARS - QRIS Improvement Process
 About the QRIS Improvement Plan & Funding Request
Every QRIS facility completes an improvement plan to set short and long-term goals. Every plan is different, depending on the needs and vision of the program.
IdahoSTARS funds quality improvements. Read the IdahoSTARS Funding Guidelines prior to beginning.
This plan will help you set at least three goals for the upcoming year. First, set goals and plan what you will need to accomplish them. Then, create a budget and request funding to support your efforts. Use the Facility Profile to set goals, concentrating on the lowest Quality Standards first. The plan must address all Quality Standards NOT YET AT TIER 1 to be evaluated.
Remember, if more than one environment assessment was conducted, the plan should address the needs of the entire facility and not just individual classrooms.
The QRIS Improvement Plan includes an itemized budget to implement the first year's goals.
- Request must be itemized.
- Calculations must be accurate.
IdahoSTARS evaluates funding requests linked to clearly written improvement plans using the following criteria:
Criteria...
Health & safety addressed. If one or more classrooms in a facility receives a Personal Care Routine Subscale score less than 3.0, the QRIS Improvement Plan must address health and safety practices in the first goal. Environment Rating Scale subscales addressed from lowest to highest score. Subscales with scores of 1-3 (Inadequate-Minimal) must be addressed first, followed by subscales with scores of 4-5 (Minimal-Good), and finally subscales with scores of 6-7 (Good-Excellent). Indicators in the lowest tiers on the Facility Profile are addressed. Quality standards Not Yet at Tier 1 must be addressed first. Plan identifies at least three goals for years 1, 2 and 3. The plan must set measurable, attainable goals for the upcoming year, and look to the future for longer range planning. Request follows funding guidelines. IdahoSTARS funds quality improvements. The plan must follow funding guidelines published on the IdahoSTARS webpage: add link here. Year 1 goals are achievable in the upcoming year. Goals must be SMART: Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Relevant. Timelined. Budget. Calculations must be accurate. Documentation (including competing bids if applicable) must be complete. Reasoning must be clear. Business. Length of time the program is in business and/or lease space is explained to show stability. History. Participation in IdahoSTARS PDS Registry, previous IdahoSTARS grants or technical assistance awarded, and quality improvements, if any, are documented.
 IdahoSTARS Funding Guidelines
IdahoSTARS funds quality improvements that address needs above and beyond those required to operate legally. When creating an Improvement Plan and Funding Request, keep in mind:
- Basic operating expenses such as fees for licensing, CPR/Pediatric First Aid training, background checks, and regular maintenance on structures are not funded through QRIS.
IdahoSTARS quality improvement funds cannot be used for operating costs.
- Personnel, building additions, rent, substitute teachers and staff salaries cannot are not funded through QRIS.
- Capital improvements that address an immediate health or safety risk or that are specifically referenced in the Environment Rating Scale reports will be considered.
Information about TAXES and SHIPPING.
- IdahoSTARS quality improvement funds cannot be used for sales tax. Grant recipients are responsible for paying sales tax on materials purchased.
- Grant award counts as income to the provider or business and will be reported on Form 1099-MISC.
- IdahoSTARS does not pay shipping costs; directors/owners are encouraged to order from vendors who provide free shipping. These vendors of quality early childhood materials, furniture, fixtures and equipment offer the following discounts to IdahoSTARS QRIS facilities.
IdahoSTARS quality improvement funds cannot be used for consumables.
- Paper, paint, art supplies, food and any other consumable items are not funded through QRIS.
IdahoSTARS quality improvement funds can only be used for materials that increase the quality of the child care setting. Some frequently requested items are rarely funded. For more information on these items, download the appropriate document from the following list:
Updated October 27, 2011
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