Spark Redesign

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. 

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. 

We hope to have the redesigned Spark ready to roll out in the spring or summer of 2024.

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 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 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.