This project will implement the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Support and Supplement Study in North Carolina, which is designed to assist early childhood providers in navigating the state’s newly modernized QRIS pathways. The initiative targets Family Child Care Homes, Centers Located in a Residence, and small centers serving 50 or fewer children, with a focus on rural counties and child care deserts.
The scope includes developing an accessible application process for up to 2,500 providers, delivering targeted technical assistance through webinars, and disbursing supplemental funds to support pathway readiness and quality improvement. A robust evaluation plan will combine administrative data, provider surveys, and qualitative feedback to monitor participation, equity impacts, and progress toward QRIS goals.
Findings will inform continuous quality improvement and policy recommendations. By leveraging the expertise of the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the American Institutes for Research, this project aims to strengthen provider engagement, promote equitable access to quality care, and ensure compliance with federal Preschool Development Grant Birth–Five objectives.
