OAR 414-500-0030: Administrative Requirements for Resource and Referral Agencies

(1) Any R & R or Resource & Referral Network contracting to provide child care resource and referral services under ORS 329A.110 for the administration of ORS 329A.120 through 329A.135 shall be a “Resource & Referral Agency” or “Resource & Referral Network” as defined in OAR 414-500-0020. (2) Each R & R shall: (a) Demonstrate community support and endorsement; (b) Demonstrate a commitment to provide, strengthen, and promote the financial support of R & R core services and the long-term financial stability of R & R programs; (c) Demonstrate collaboration with local child care providers, provider groups, parents, social service and government agencies, employers, and institutions of public education in the development and operation of the R & R; (d) Have an advisory group that represents diverse segments of the child care community. The R & R shall ensure input into R & R operations from parents, providers, employers, and community representatives; (e) Have staff with at least two years of post-secondary education, experience, and/or training, commensurate with job responsibilities, in the following: (A) Early childhood education, human services, counseling, or a related field of study; (B) Child care or child development; (C) Parent education; (D) Provider support; or (E) Program management. (f) Directly provide the core services; (g) Not discriminate against any family on the basis of race, color, or ethnicity; religion; national origin; citizenship; sex; age; physical or mental disability; marital status, or because of a child's need for special care; (h) Make services accessible to families, with particular sensitivity to ethnic and cultural minorities, languages spoken, families with special needs, and the economically disadvantaged; (i) Provide services to all types of child care providers, except those under the Department's disciplinary action; (j) Provide matching funds equal to ten percent of the core services funds awarded by the Department or its agent and designee. For purposes of calculating the total funding awarded by the Department, pass-through funds shall be excluded. The matching funds cannot be provided through funding awarded by the Department. The matching funds must be provided through other allowable financial support, including in-kind contributions. Matching funds may be used to directly provide R & R services or to enhance R & R services. (k) Publicize its services; (l) Maintain fiscal records consistent with accepted accounting practices; (m) Collect financial statistics on a regular basis and make financial reports at times and in the form prescribed by the Department, or its agent or designee; (n) Maintain program records, including statistical records, and provide program records to the Department, or its agent or designee, at times and in the form prescribed by the Department, or its agent or designee; (o) Cooperate in a program and facility review (including meetings with consumers, review of records, review of policy and procedures, review of staffing and staff qualifications, and meetings with any staff directly or indirectly involved in the provision of services) at any reasonable time by the Department, or its agent or designee; (p) Retain all records and other documents related to the provision of resource and referral services for at least three years, unless otherwise specified in a contractual agreement with the Department, or its agent or designee; and (q) Have a complaint policy, regarding instances in which the health and/or safety of a child is at risk, that is approved by the Department, or its agent or designee. (3) Satisfactory performance by an R & R and/or the Resource & Network shall be a condition for the renewal of a contract.