Child Care Choices  
 

E-CARE is an initiative between the Frederick County Office for Children and Families and Child Care Choices/MHA.
 

Goals
The goal of the E-CARE Program is to increase the number of children who are receiving quality supervision in early childhood by increasing:

• Options for affordable, quality, regulated child care in family child care homes or center-based programs;

• The number of providers who accept Purchase of Care Vouchers from the Frederick County Department of Social Services; and

• Performance on the Maryland Model for School Readiness.

Membership

E-CARE membership is open to staff at licensed child care centers, registered family child care providers, and prospective family child care providers who have an application and Criminal Background Check pending with the Regional Child Care Administration Office.

The fund may be used for the following activities:

• Training and training related costs;

• Recruitment and retention of child care staff in center based programs;

• Purchase of equipment and materials for quality improvements associated with accreditation or tiered-reimbursement;

• Consultations on health, nutrition, mental health, parent education or special education; and

• Serving Purchase of Care clients or children with special needs

Other requests will be reviewed individually and decisions will be made based on fund availability, financial need, impact to children and families, and compliance with purpose of the Fund.

Providers join E-CARE by filling out a membership application and agreeing to the following membership conditions:

• Comply with all state licensing requirements;

• Participate in required training connected to a career ladder or MD Credential;

• Obtain state or national accreditation through a recognized association such as the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), or National School Age Child Care Association (NSACCA) within two years of joining;

• Accept children with Purchase of Care vouchers;

• Implement the use of the Work Sampling System, a component of the MD Model for School Readiness, to compile information on preschool age children;

• Provide opportunities for parent participation; and

• Continue in the child care profession for 3 years or repay the cash benefits received.

For more information about E-CARE, email or call Judy Combs, E-CARE Coordinator at (301) 662-4549.

The Frederick County Mental Health Association is a private nonprofit United Way agency
supported by voluntary contributions, public sector funding and fees for services rendered.