The Quality Improvement Network (QIN) is a network of child development facilities that, in collaboration with the United Planning Organization (UPO) and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), provide comprehensive early learning and family support services to eligible infants and toddlers up to the age of 36 months and their families, in order to foster children's and families’ well-being, advance family self-sufficiency and prepare children for success in school.

With support from a federal Early Head Start Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP grant)*, as well as local DC government funds, the QIN provides a variety of supports for children, families, child development facilities and educators. All services delivered through the QIN are provided to children, families and facilities at no cost.

A list of QIN facilities is available here. Families can learn more about these facilities by contacting them directly or my visiting their facility profile on My Child Care DC.

QIN Services and Supports for Children and Families

Families that participate in the QIN receive a broad range of services and supports at no cost, including:

• Full-day, full-year child care services
• Health screenings
• Nutrition services
• Mental health services
• Early intervention services
• Career coaching and employment resources
• Housing resources

Once a family is found eligible for the QIN and enrolls their child at a QIN facility, they receive these services and supports until they are 3 years old or eligible to enroll in a free pre-K program in DC.

QIN Services and Supports for Child Development Facilities and Educators

QIN facilities also receive supports through program, including:

• Business supports, including payroll, recording keeping and human services
• Staffing supports
• Professional cleaning services
• Coaching and training for staff

Eligibility

The QIN serves infants, toddlers and their families who are DC residents or in foster care. To be eligible, a child must be younger than age 3 and be part of a priority population (e.g., children in foster care, families with low incomes, families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF] or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]). More information on eligibility and how applicants are prioritized is available here.

How to Apply

There are two ways a family can apply to participate in the QIN:

1. Complete an application with UPO

UPO can help families complete an application to participate in the QIN and direct families to QIN facilities that have openings. Families that want to participate in the QIN and the DC Child Care Subsidy Program are encouraged to complete the QIN application with UPO first to help streamline the application process for child care subsidies. Contact Laura Hare at lhare@upo.org or (202) 815-3990 for assistance completing an application.

2. Complete the DC Child Care Subsidy Program application

Families can apply to participate in the QIN using the DC Child Care Subsidy Program application. The application can be submitted:

• Online
• In-person at a DC Department of Human Services (DHS) service location
• In-person at a QIN facility that is a level II subsidized child care provider
  • Note: The family must complete the application at the QIN facility/Level II provider where they want to enroll their child.
• Families that are determined eligible for the DC Child Care Subsidy Program and enroll at a QIN facility can then complete an application to participate in the QIN.

Questions?

If you have questions about the QIN, contact Laura Hare at lhare@upo.org or (202) 815-3990 for support.

*The QIN is supported by Grant Number 03HP000536 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Attachment(s):

• QIN Annual Report for Program Year 2023-24
• QIN Flyer Program Year 2024-25
• Community Needs Assessment Report
• Community Needs Assessment Executive Summary
• Community Needs Assessment One-Pager
• Staff Wellness Resource List

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Related Content: Early Learning Programs