Hub Organization Roles and Responsibilities

Q: Will providers need to maintain their own budgets with a bookkeeper, accountant, or consultant?
Hub organizations are responsible for ensuring providers have appropriate fiscal and programmatic supports needed to successfully implement the pilot. Hubs may provide these supports directly or contract with external partners, at their discretion. 

 

Pilot Program Sites
Q: Can Home-Based PreK operate during non-traditional hours, such as evenings, if the provider has at least two children that meet the eligibility? 
Yes, Home-Based PreK may operate during non-traditional hours if the provider has at least two children that are eligible during that scheduled time. 

Q: If a child leaves during the pilot, can the program replace that child? 
Yes, this would be allowable and encouraged. 

Q: Is there a maximum number of children that one provider can have in the pilot?  
The Hub organization selected to administer the pilot in their region would determine how many child allocations each pilot program receives. This decision would likely be based on how many eligible children each pilot program serves, and if needed, children could be prioritized based on income. The Hub organization will be responsible for developing their procedures for this process. 

Q: Can pilot programs continue utilizing CACFP funding for all children in the program? 
Pilot programs are encouraged to continue using CACFP in the same capacity as before they began participating in pilot. PreK Pilot funds may only be used to cover the difference between the cost of providing meals and snacks and the reimbursement from the CACFP. Regardless of which eligibility category children are in, there is no cost to families for snacks or meals. 

Q: Can other preschoolers who are not funded by the pilot participate in the schedule and daily activities? 
Yes, all children in the program may participate in the same high-quality programming that is offered through the Home-Based PreK for All pilot. Programs should modify activities for younger children, as needed. Children not receiving PreK pilot funding may use the equipment and materials purchased with pilot program funding, or pilot start-up funding. 

Q: Can children who receive a CDC scholarship use that funding for wrap-around care?
Yes. Children receiving CDC scholarship funding may use it only for wrap-around care, such as before- or after-care and summer programming. Programs may not bill CDC scholarship funds for the 6.5 hours per day covered by the Home-Based PreK Pilot. CDC scholarships or tuition may be used only for care provided outside of the PreK Pilot hours.

Q: Are there budget requirements for providers? How much of the budget should go toward compensation?
Each provider will develop an individual pilot budget with support from the Hub organization. All budgets must be reviewed and approved by the Hub to ensure they are appropriate and aligned with pilot requirements.

A portion of the budget should be allocated to staff compensation. Salary costs should be prorated based on the number of children receiving PreK Pilot funding.

Example:
A group home has 12 children enrolled total and receives PreK Pilot funding for 6 children. Both the owner/lead teacher and an assistant support all children in the program. In this case, the PreK Pilot budget should cover up to 50% of each staff member’s salary, reflecting the portion of their work that supports PreK Pilot children.

Q: Can a provider hire a teacher with the required credentials to participate in the pilot?
Yes, a provider may hire a credentialed teacher to meet pilot requirements. However, this decision should be made carefully and collaboratively with the Hub organization, considering:
• Is hiring a credentialed teacher cost effective? Is it financially sustainable?
• How will hiring additional staff affects the entire program and program quality, including for children not participating in the pilot
Any decision to hire additional staff must be reflected in the budget and approved by the Hub organization.

Q: Can I include children with special needs in the pilot? 
Yes, children with special needs are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the pilot.

Q: Can I have my own or a staff member’s children or staff as part of the pilot? 
Yes, this would be allowable if the child(ren) were regularly attending the program prior to the pilot.