Welcome to the QIS Portal
Dear Quality Improvement Specialist (QIS),
Welcome to the QIS portal. The resources found here are designed to help prepare and support you in our work with child care providers as they work towards Spark recognition and continuous quality improvement in the field of early learning.
Spark Materials for QIS
Select a category to display available files to download. If you need materials in a different language, choose a language from the sidebar. Please note: not all materials are available in each language. We are working toward providing as many translated materials as we can.
Click on each file to download. The file will either open in a separate tab, or automatically download.
Click on each file to download. The file will either open in a separate tab, or automatically download.
Introduction to Spark Training
Presenter Notes
- Section 1 Introduction
- Section 2 QRIS and Partners
- Section 3 Spark Components
- Section 4 Supports and Initiative
- Section 5 C2Q Process
- Section 6 QIS Phase
- Section 7 Portfolio Submission and Review
- Section 8 Next Steps
- Section 9 Closing
Spark Orientation Materials
Welcome kit samples
- substitutew92018_Jun_26_2020-21_30_29
- Substitute W-9 2018
- QRIS C2Q Congratulations letter on letterhead 2019
- FAQ 2019 update
- Oregon QRIS Resources welcome kit flyer 2019 update
- Example QRIS Report
- Compliance poster 2020
- Request for support form 2020
- C2Q Spark Certificate_English Example
- Portfolio — Family 2020 final — Example
- Portfolio — Family 2020 final — Example
Self-Assessment
Application/MOU
Self Assessment
Click on each file to download. The file will either open in a separate tab, or automatically download.
Portfolio Examples
Examples of what we might have here:
Letters to Families
Documents to Families
Stickers
Etc.
Examples of what we might have here:
Spark Application
Request for Support
Place holder for what we might have. We will need separate sections with materials under the sections.
Programs that participate in the redesigned Spark program will be able to receive the same monetary and other benefits as programs that are participating for the first time.
Is there any advantage for programs to get rated in Spark now or is it better to wait for new Spark?
Participating in Spark now will allow programs to receive all current Spark monetary support and benefits as well as receive the new redesigned Spark benefits when that is ready. If you choose to serve families receiving ERDC and get registered, you can also submit and resubmit your portfolio for higher rating past the October 1st deadline.
Spark will be rolled out in phases. The first phase will be to programs that have not participated in Spark yet and programs that have expired ratings. The Design Workgroups will be providing input as to the most efficient way to roll out the next phases and how to communicate the process and provide support.
Statewide engagement is being carried out by Listening Workgroups to gather input from families, educators, providers, leaders, and community partners, representing diverse cultural and linguistic groups, from all across Oregon. Design Workgroups will review the findings and co-create recommendations with the transition planning team.
Programs will be given adequate time, resources and information in order to do the necessary steps to transfer their Spark rating to the redesigned Spark. If programs choose not to participate in the redesigned Spark, their rating will be removed after it has expired.
With one exception, October 1st is the last date that portfolios can be submitted for a higher rating. The exception is for programs that are registered to serve families receiving ERDC (Employment Related Day Care) subsidy. Those programs will continue to be able to submit a portfolio and move up in ratings in the current system until the redesigned Spark program is rolled out.
We hope to have the redesigned Spark ready to roll out in the spring or summer of 2024.
Spark was rolled out in 2014 and it was intended to go through an improvement cycle after being in operation for a few years. Small improvements and refinements have been made but no major overhaul was able to be done. Using the data and lessons learned from years of Spark participation as well as new input from Listening Workgroups, Spark is being redesigned to better meet the needs and preferences of Oregon’s diverse families, child care providers and early learning programs. Redesigned Spark will have an improvement cycle built into the system.
There will be a process to transfer your current rating to Spark. Programs will be given adequate time and resources to transfer their rating and the process will be communicated clearly. No ratings will be taken away unexpectedly or suddenly without notice.
In July 2023, the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) program will transition to the new Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC). HB 3073 requires that there is a higher rate or reimbursement or incentive for the programs that meet several requirements, one of which is participating in quality improvement measures which is the focus of Spark.
The Listening Teams are reaching out to diverse cultural and linguistic groups to ensure that their voices are heard and their preferences are honored in the redesigned Spark.
This will depend on what the Listening Groups recommend. They will consider how it will impact programs and families as well as other state and local initiatives.
The redesigned Spark will allow programs to interact with Spark electronically via the web but extensive technical capabilities will not be needed. All resources and interactions will be accessible with a laptop or smartphone. Accommodations will be made and assistance provided for programs who may not have access to technology.
The availability of monetary support depends on what the Listening and Design Workgroups recommend but it is likely that monetary support of some kind will be part of the redesigned spark.