Shape Phase II Expansion Sites only received 6 months of technical assistance as compared to Phase I sites that have received extensive technical assistance, beginning in year one and extending through year 2. Therefore, we wish to include the Shape Phase II Expansion Sites as part of our initial 5 child care sites. Is this allowable?
Shape Phase II Expansion Sites only received 6 months of technical assistance as compared to Phase I sites that have received extensive technical assistance, beginning in year one and extending through year 2. Therefore, we wish to include the Shape Phase II Expansion Sites as part of our initial 5 child care sites. Is this allowable?
Previous data shows that a great deal of improvement happens in just the first six months for participating centers. Therefore, it is not currently allowable to include child care facilities that have already participated as an expansion site. Partnerships may choose to use their own Smart Start allocation to continue working with these centers, but at this point, they cannot be considered part of the SIF project. With SIF’s focus on establishing evidence for Shape NC, including those that have already experienced even a portion of the intervention may compromise the results. Once the evaluation plan is developed and approved, the evaluation team may reconsider this position.
