The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) is excited to launch the pilot for the Alabama Quality STARS Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). QRIS is a process for supporting and recognizing child care centers for providing high-quality child care. Because so many of Alabama’s young children participate in early learning programs, it is important to make sure these programs provide children with the best possible start.

DHR is offering a series of Awareness Sessions, which are meetings conducted in various regions of the state to provide more information about Alabama Quality STARS. The Awareness Sessions will help child care program leaders (child care administrators, directors and owners) understand QRIS, the program components and requirements, and the tools that will be used to evaluate program quality. The Awareness Sessions will also provide an opportunity for program leaders to ask questions and to volunteer their site to be a part of the pilot project.

Those who attend an Awareness Session and complete a form to volunteer as a potential pilot site will be mailed the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) booklet(s) that is appropriate for your provider setting and a Program Administration Scale (PAS) booklet.

See schedule and note all sessions are limited to 50 participants each.

Thursday, June 13, 2013
1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. & 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden State CC Library, 1801 Coleman Road, Anniston, AL 36207
Registration: 256-362-1390

Tuesday, June 18, 2013
2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. & 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Calhoun Community College-Huntsville Campus, 102 Wynn Dr. NW – Room #47, Huntsville, AL 35805
Registration: 256-551-7016

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Fort Payne CRN Resource Library, 651 Wallace Ave., NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967
Registration: 256-845-8238

Friday, June 21, 2013
9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Child Care Resource Center, 510 South 7th Street, Opelika, AL 36801
Registration: 334-749-8400, Ext.222

Monday, June 24, 2013
9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. & 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Childcare Resources, 1904 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Registration: 205-252-1991 Ext. 300

Tuesday, June 25, 2013
9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Childcare Resources, 1904 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Registration: 205-252-1991 Ext. 300

Thursday, June 27, 2013
9:00 A.M. -11:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. & 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Family Guidance Center of AL, 2358 Fairlane Drive, Building D, Montgomery, AL 36116
Registration: 334-270-4100 Ext. 235

Tuesday, July 9, 2013
9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. & 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
GRCMA Early Childhood Directions, 3100 Cottage Hill Road, Bldg. 4, Suite 400, Mobile, AL 36606
Registration: 251-473-1060 Ext. 115

Tuesday, July 16, 2013
1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. & 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Wallace Community College, Rane Hall, 1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan, AL 36303
Registration: 334-712-7777 or 1-800-290-0933 Ext.225 or 224

Should you have questions please contact Clementine McGinnis, Quality Enhancement Coordinator at (334) 353-5207.