Spark is Being Redesigned
Spark, Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System for early childhood care and education programs, is being redesigned! Our goal for the redesigned Spark is to create a system that is inclusive of Oregon’s diverse families, child care providers, and early learning programs. This will support adults caring for young children to continuously improve their practices and assist families in finding child care and early education programs that are the best fit for their child.
The redesigned Spark system will be:
Responsive to:
- Diverse cultures, beliefs, languages, abilities, needs, and goals
- New research and practices
- Family, program, and state goals
Supportive of:
- Positive outcomes for children, families, early learning and care workforce, and early learning and care programs
- Empowering Spark participants to select goals that are meaningful to them and connecting them to relevant resources to achieve their goals
Connected to:
- Raise Up Oregon: A Statewide Early Learning System Plan
- Oregon’s Early Learning System and current initiatives
- Equitable and effective standards and practices
- Available resources and supports
Listening and Design Team Representatives
Mayra Ramierez
Chyanne Schlappie
Bruna Pimentel
Chelsey McAlister
Hadiatu L. Johnson
Jessie Carpenter
Shawn C.Reynolds
Dr. Massene Mboup
Erendira Pin
Fernanda Lucas De La Torre
Janet Marlene Hernandez Ramirez
Judith Murillo Tuesta
Miriam Orozco
Ramiro Diaz
Sabi Velasco
Mayra Ramierez
Karen Alejandra Macias
Juana Leticia Barcenas Sanchez
Norma A. Marín Favela
Maria del Rosario Gaytan
Jorge Martinez Yañez
Leonor Adriana Iturbe
Jennifer Rodrigues Bell
Robert M. Kleng
Sage Halvorson
Sheila Ward
Teri McClain
Tram Gonzales
Amran Noor
Spark Redesign FAQs
1. My current Spark rating is still active. How long will I have to transition to the new Spark?
- 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.
2. 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.
3. When will the redesign Spark be ready?
- We hope to have the redesigned Spark ready to roll out in the spring or summer of 2024.
4. Will programs serving families receiving Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) still need to achieve a Spark rating?
- 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.
5. Will the redesign Spark require extensive computer capabilities?
- 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.
6.Will the new Spark respect and honor the languages and cultures of the families in my program?
- 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.
7. Will my current Spark rating transfer to the new Spark?
- 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.
8. Will the new Spark still have the same ratings?
- 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.
9. When will be the last time I can submit my portfolio for a higher rating?
- 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.
10. If my program already got money from Spark, will I be able to get more in the redesigned Spark
- 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.
11. Will there be monetary support in the redesigned Spark?
- 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.
12. What will happen to my Spark rating?
- 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.
13. Why is Spark being redesigned?
- 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.
14. Who all will be involved in the designing and implementation of the new Spark?
- 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.
Questions?
Call 877-768-8290 or email orego