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STARS will be going through a period of revision until July 1st, 2023. This period of revision will include transition of STARS administration from a contracted partner to a temporary internal function of the Child Development Division (CDD) from July 1st, 2022, through June 30th, 2023. During the revision period, CDD will continue to work with all child care program types who wish to increase their STARS level. Programs who intend to maintain their current STARS level are expected to maintain the standards of their current level but will not be required to submit an application or be assessed during the revision period. The revision period will include a formal promulgation of the STARS Standards, requiring stakeholder feedback and public comment. Stakeholder feedback will be primarily compiled via a workgroup. The CDD will request volunteers from all regions and program types for the workgroup in April 2022, and the workgroup will begin in May 2022.
The primary goals of the STARS revision period are to:
- Analyze and revise the criteria currently used to determine STARS level to ensure the program is aligned with best practice and focused on child outcomes.
- Introduce a mentoring component that supports programs to meet their goals.
- Identify where there is unnecessary administrative burden on programs that can be alleviated.
STARS Assessment Requirements
Beginning July 1st, 2022, a pause will be placed on assessment requirements (observations by a STARS assessor) while the CDD works with Federal Technical Assistance and key stakeholders to develop a process for requesting one during the revision period. The CDD requests that if your program seeks an assessment (observation by a STARS assessor) prior to the pause beginning on July 1st, 2022, you may schedule with Mary Johnson's Children Center as soon as possible.
It is important to remember that while STARS assesses components of quality, the CDD's Licensing Unit oversees Child Care Licensing Regulations. Child Care Licensing Regulations are the minimum requirements established to protect the health and safety of Vermont's children, and revisions to STARS will not cause any disruption to licensing and regulatory functions.
Job Opportunities
To support STARS administration during the revision period, the CDD will be hiring a Business Services Specialist II and a Communications and Outreach Coordinator to support STARS administration, revision, and communication.
Statute Amendment
In order to avoid undue burden and maintain consistency with all providers, including prequalified public and private Universal Prekindergarten Education programs, the CDD and the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) have proposed updating Title 16 V.S.A. § 829 language as follows:
This statute amendment will enable the STARS Standards and Act 166 rules to be revised in unison. If this language is not accepted, the revision period could be considerably longer as the statute change will need to be revisited again next legislative session and prior to revision of the Act 166 rules.
AOE and the CDD provided joint testimony on this matter to the House Human Services Committee on March 16th, 2022.
Questions or Concerns
For questions or concerns prior to July 1st, 2022:
- If you have any questions about the application process or need technical assistance, please contact Johanna Vaczy, STARS Coordinator at (802) 398-2037 or STARS@mjccvt.org.
- If you have concerns about the STARS program, please contact Lynne Robbins, CDD Statewide Systems & Community Collaborations at (802) 241-0823 or Lynne.Robbins@vermont.gov.