CCMPL 91 (Accreditation Approval Process for Step Up To Quality)
Child Care Manual Procedure Letter No. 91
April 13, 2015
TO: All Child Care Manual Holders
FROM: Cynthia C. Dungey, Director
SUBJECT: ACCREDITATION APPROVAL PROCESS FOR STEP UP TO QUALITY

Background:

Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is Ohio's five-star quality rating and improvement system. Programs and providers that are accredited by an approved organization can earn points towards achieving a four- or five-star rating.

New Policy:

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) will begin accepting applications to become an approved accrediting organization. SUTQ programs accredited by these approved organizations will be eligible for additional SUTQ points.

Implementation:

Organizations requesting approval to be an approved accrediting organization must complete and submit the JFS 01648 "Application for Accrediting Organization for Step Up To Quality (SUTQ)" including supporting documentation to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) at: SUTQOnlineApp@jfs.ohio.gov

Once a program has been approved as an accrediting organization for SUTQ they must verify every two years that they continue to meet the approval criteria. Approved accrediting organizations must complete and submit the JFS 01650 "Bi-Annual Review Report for Approved Accrediting Organization for Step Up To Quality" and supporting documentation and send it to SUTQOnlineApp@jfs.ohio.gov. If an organization is unable to document that they are still meeting approval criteria, the approval will be removed.

If you have questions, please contact the Child Care Policy Helpdesk at 1-877-302-2347, option 4.