Background:

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

On April 13, 2015, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) issued Child Care Manual Procedure Letter (CCMPL) 91 to begin accepting applications to become an approved accrediting organization for rated programs. This letter also required organizations to reapply every two years.

Updated Process:

The updated information in this procedure letter replaces CCMPL 91.

The timeframe for an approved accrediting organization to verify that they continue to meet the approval criteria has been updated from two years to five years.

Organizations requesting approval to become an approved accrediting organization must complete and submit the JFS 01648 "Application for Accrediting Organization for Step Up To Quality (SUTQ)" and the required supporting documentation to ODJFS at SUTQOnlineApp@jfs.ohio.gov.

Programs already approved as an accrediting organization for SUTQ must verify that they continue to meet the approval criteria every five years. Currently approved organizations will be notified by ODJFS of the new timeline. Approved accrediting organizations must complete and submit the JFS 01650 "Accrediting Organization Review Report for Step Up To Quality" and the required supporting documentation to ODJFS at SUTQOnlineApp@jfs.ohio.gov. If an organization is unable to document that they are still meeting approval criteria, the approval will be removed.

Please contact the Child Care Policy Helpdesk at 1-877-302-2347, option 4, if you have any questions.