Financial Incentives Plan

Quality early care and education is priceless, but there is a cost which can sometimes be a challenge.   For this reason, participation in Quality First includes a Financial Incentives Plan as one of the components to help support the active involvement of providers.  Following is a breakdown of incentives available to providers selected to participate in Quality First.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q.  Is the funding to be site specific? 
A.  Yes.  Financial Incentives are awarded to specific eligible centers or homes that apply for and are accepted into Quality First.  A Quality First Enrollment Agreement must be signed by the provider after all application information has been verified and the site is accepted into Quality First  enrollement is limited.

Q. Can a portion of the Financial Incentives be used to replace any other funding currently allocated to operate the site? 
A. No.  Financial Incentives are to encourage and support improvements to current program components or the environment. 

Q.  Is it acceptable to make facility improvements with the incentive money? 
A.  All Financial Incentives  will be applied for and awarded based upon an evaluation (need) and Quality Improvement Plan for each site.  Construction or minor repairs can be funded if the evaluation and Quality Improvement Plan indicate facility improvements as priorities in achieving improved quality.  If such improvements are made, the home or center will be the owner of any improvements. New construction requires a 50% match.

Q. Aside from the Financial Incentives, what else is available to me as a Quality First participant? 
A. Financial Incentives are part of a larger package of supports to help homes and centers achieve improved quality.  Participants will also benefit from coaching and technical assistance, assessments that document quality improvements, professional development scholarships, and child care health consultation as well as public recognition for reaching quality level improvement milestones.   As a Quality First! participant, your home or center will have an advantage when marketing your services to the public since you will be making your commitment to quality known to the Arizona families.

Q.  Will I have to justify the use of Financial Incentives? 
A. Accountability and use of funds is critically important.  The Quality Improvement Grants must be used according to the Quality Improvement Plan developed between the home or center and the Quality First coach.  Documentation of how the funds are spent is required.   Fund justification applies to the Enrollment Incentive, Program Improvement Grants and the Quality Improvement Award.