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What's New in ChildPlus 5.4




Major Changes to 2020-2021 PIR
Are you aware that there are major changes to the PIR? We've thoroughly reviewed the 2020-2021 PIR changes and addressed every change in ChildPlus version 5.4. Once your database is updated, you can start capturing and tracking data for the 2020-2021 PIR immediately.

Make an Archive
Because ChildPlus 5.4 includes so many PIR updates, we strongly recommend that all agencies make an archive copy of their database prior to this update. By making an archive, you will be able to preserve a copy of your 2019-2020 PIR to refer back to if necessary.
Learn more
More DRDP Assessment Features in ChildPlus Mobile
We're overjoyed by the enormous response to the addition of the DRDP Assessment module in ChildPlus Mobile. ChildPlus Mobile version 5.4 includes more ways to use the DRDP Assessment module including the ability to track observations performed by parents, staff who are not teachers and others. This update also includes two new DRDP reports.
Learn more
New ChildPlus Mobile Module
ChildPlus Mobile is growing again! ChildPlus Mobile makes it easier than ever to access your data from any device supporting Chrome or Safari. The Immunizations module is available in ChildPlus Mobile version 5.4. Track and stay up-to-date on participant Immunizations from anywhere.
Learn more
Updated CLASS® Thresholds
The latest CLASS® thresholds are available in this update.
Learn more
Fixes
Make sure to read through our list of fixes to learn more about everything that we have fixed since your last ChildPlus update.
Learn more
Learning Library Access

Viewing the Learning Library just got easier! Premium subscribers, click here for more information. If your agency does not have a subscription to the ChildPlus Learning Library, click here for more information.



 


2020-2021 PIR Updates in ChildPlus Desktop

Are you aware that there are major changes to the PIR? ChildPlus Software wants to help your organization prepare for the 2020-2021 PIR changes. We've thoroughly reviewed the 2020-2021 PIR changes and addressed every change in ChildPlus version 5.4. Once your database is updated, you can start capturing and tracking data for the 2020-2021 PIR immediately. We also recommend downloading or printing a copy of the 2020-2021 PIR Calculation Guide to understand how ChildPlus uses each question to calculate the PIR.

Because ChildPlus 5.4 includes so many PIR updates, we strongly recommend that all agencies make an archive copy of their database prior to this update. By making an archive, you will be able to preserve a copy of your 2019-2020 PIR to refer back to if necessary.

ChildPlus Desktop Modules with 2020-2021 PIR Changes

Services

  • Application
  • Disability
  • Education
  • Family Services
  • Health
  • Mental Health
  • Services >> PIR
  • Pregnancy

Management

  • Personnel
  • PIR

Reports

  • PIR Reports

Setup

  • Program Info

ChildPlus Mobile Modules with 2020-2021 PIR Changes

  • Education
  • Family Services
  • Health
  • PIR
  • Pregnancy

Services

Application

New Relationship to Participants Field to Calculate PIR Question C.34

We added the new Relationship to Participants field to the ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> Application >> Family Information window. ChildPlus Desktop uses this field to calculate PIR question C.34.

This new question was also added to the following areas of ChildPlus Desktop: Add New Family, Report - 2135 Paper Applications and to the English and Spanish versions of the blank Family Information & Contacts paper application.

During your database update, ChildPlus will attempt to automatically populate this field based on the Child's Relationship field in version 5.3.

The number of children acquiring/learning another language in addition to English (A.26.a.1)

PIR question A.26.a.1, the number of children acquiring/learning another language in addition to English, is new for the 2020-2021 PIR. This question was previously added in ChildPlus version 5.3 and can be found in ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> Application >> Family Information.

This new question was also added to the following areas of ChildPlus Desktop: Add New Family, Report - 2135 Paper Applications and to the English and Spanish versions of the blank Family Information & Contacts paper application.

Disability

Concerns - Referral Activities

We added two new PIR fields for Concerns with an Activity Type of Referral. ChildPlus Desktop uses these fields to calculate PIR questions C.21 and C.22.

Concerns - Evaluation Activities

We added new PIR fields for Concerns with an Activity Type of Evaluation. ChildPlus Desktop uses these fields to calculate PIR questions C.21 and C.22.

Additional Info

We updated the Calculation Preferences for PIR Disability Service questions on the Additional Info tab to reflect the changes to the 2020-2021 PIR. Questions that are new for the 2020-2021 PIR are highlighted below:

Disability Setup

You can now specify that a Concern Activity is an Evaluation in ChildPlus Desktop >> Setup >> Module Setup >> Disability >> Concerns >> Concern Activity Types.

During your 5.4 database update, ChildPlus will automatically check this box for all activities (system defined and user created) that have the word Evaluation in their name.

Education

Events

We updated Education Events to reflect the changes to the 2020-2021 PIR. Questions that are new to the 2020-2021 PIR are highlighted in the following images:

Depending on your database's configuration, these fields may not display for Education Events. You can configure whether these fields display for Education Events in ChildPlus Desktop >> Setup >> Module Setup >> Health and Education Events.

These fields also display when you click Add Multiple Events.

ChildPlus Desktop

These fields are found in ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> Education >> Events.

ChildPlus Mobile

These fields are found in ChildPlus Mobile >> Services >> Education >> Events.

Education Information

We updated the PIR question numbers and questions in the Calculation Preferences forPIR, Health and Education Requirements section to reflect the changes in the 2020-2021 PIR.

ChildPlus Desktop

These fields are found in ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> Education >> Education Information.

ChildPlus Mobile

These fields are found in ChildPlus Mobile >> Services >> Education >> Notes, PIR.

Family Services

We updated the Family Services module to reflect the changes to the 2020-2021 PIR. Since the 2020-2021 PIR only tracks Services Received, we removed the Services Needs column as it is no longer necessary to track. Questions that are new to the 2020-2021 PIR are highlighted in the following images:

ChildPlus Desktop

These fields are found in ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> Family Services >> Family Services Information.

These fields were also updated in the ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> PIR module.

ChildPlus Mobile

These fields are found in ChildPlus Mobile >> Services >> Family Services Information >> FPA, Needs Assessment, PIR.

Health

Events (non-Dental)

We updated the Events window to reflect the changes to the 2020-2021 PIR. Questions that are new to the 2020-2021 PIR are highlighted in the following images:

Depending on your database's configuration, these fields may not display for all Health Events. You can configure whether these fields display for Health Events in ChildPlus Desktop >> Setup >> Module Setup >> Health and Education Events.

These fields also display when you click Add Multiple Events or add Events in ChildPlus Desktop using Entry Express >> Health.

ChildPlus Desktop

ChildPlus Mobile

Dental Exams - Treatment Not Received and Reason (C.18.b)

We added new PIR fields to calculate question C.18.b for Dental Events on the 2020-2021 PIR.

These fields also display when you click Add Multiple Events or add Events in ChildPlus Desktop using Entry Express >> Health.

ChildPlus Desktop

ChildPlus Mobile

Health Information

To match the wording on the 2020-2021 PIR, we renamed the Receive medical services through the Indian Health Service field to Receive medical services through a federally qualified Health Center, Indian Health Service, Tribal and/or Urban Indian Health Program facility. Since it is no longer a question on the 2020-2021 PIR, we removed Receive medical services through a migrant community health center.

During your database update, ChildPlus will automatically check for participants whose Receive medical services through a migrant community health center field was set to Yes for the At Enrollment part of the question. If participants are found, ChildPlus will automatically select Yes for the At Enrollment portion of the Receive medical services through a federally qualified Health Center, Indian Health Service, Tribal and/or Urban Indian Health Program facility question.

ChildPlus Desktop

We also updated the Calculation Preferences for PIR, Health, and Education Requirements on the Health Information tab to reflect the changes to the 2020-2021 PIR. Questions that are new to the 2020-2021 PIR are highlighted below:

These fields were also updated in the ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> PIR module.

ChildPlus Mobile

In ChildPlus Mobile, this field is available in Services >> Health >> Health Coverage, PIR.

We also updated the Health Coverage, PIR window to reflect the changes in the 2020-2021 PIR:

These fields were also updated in the ChildPlus Mobile >> Services >> PIR >> PIR Information module.

Mental Health

Since the 2020-2021 PIR no longer includes mental health questions for children, we removed the PIR links from the Mental Health module in ChildPlus. While they are no longer used for PIR purposes, these fields will remain in ChildPlus and can continue to be tracked.

ChildPlus Desktop

These fields are available in ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> Mental Health >> Additional Info.

Since the 2020-2021 PIR no longer includes mental health questions for children, we removed the Mental Health section from the Services >> PIR module.

ChildPlus Mobile

These fields are available in ChildPlus Mobile >> Services >> Mental Health >> PIR.

Services >> PIR

We updated the PIR module (available in ChildPlus Desktop and Mobile through Services >> PIR) to reflect the numbering and question changes in the Family Services and Health modules for the 2020-2021 PIR. Since the 2020-2021 PIR no longer includes mental health questions for children, we removed the Mental Health section from the Services >> PIR module.

Pregnancy

We updated the Pregnancy module to reflect the changes in the 2020-2021 PIR. Questions that are new to the 2020-2021 PIR are highlighted in the following image:

The Last Dental Exam field is no longer used for PIR calculation purposes. Instead, ChildPlus 5.4 uses the new Professional oral health assessment, examination and/or treatment field to calculate question C.13.c. Several other fields on this screen were updated to reflect the wording on the 2020-2021 PIR.

ChildPlus Desktop

These fields are available in ChildPlus Desktop >> Services >> Pregnancy.

Management

Personnel

We renamed the Temporary or Permanent field to Employment Type to better reflect the data collected for the PIR. This field name change was also made on the PIR Setup screen. We also added two new fields for the 2020-2021 PIR: 

  • Left while classes/home visits in session (this field is only available when you check the Terminated box and is used to calculate PIR question B.17.b)
  • Moved to state pre-k/other early childhood program (this field is only available if you select a Termination Code of Quit - Higher Compensation and is used to calculate PIR question C.18.a.1)

PIR

We updated the PIR module in ChildPlus Desktop so that all of the questions, ChildPlus PIR Calculation Guide links and report links are up-to-date for the 2020-2021 PIR.

PIR Setup

Due to the changes in the 2020-2021 PIR, major changes were made to the PIR Setup tab so that it now aligns with the 2020-2021 PIR. We recommend reviewing your agency's PIR Setup tab configuration before calculating your 2020-2021 PIR.

We renamed the Date Last Year's PIR Was Reported field with Date screenings started for this PIR year to match the updated wording in the 2020-2021 PIR.

Question A.26 and B.14 Setup

PIR question A.26.k, American Sign Language, is new for the 2020-2021 PIR and was previously added (in ChildPlus 5.3) to the PIR Setup tab.

Sections A, B, C and D

Due to the changes in the 2020-2021 PIR, there are significant question number and wording changes in Sections A, B and C. Section D, which is new for the 2020-2021 PIR, is made up entirely of manual entry questions.

Setup

Setup >> Agency Configuration >> Program Info

Options

Due to changes in question A.2 on the 2020-2021 PIR, we added a new Center-based choice to the Program Options field. To avoid confusion, we removed the Combination Center/Home choice that was available in previous versions of ChildPlus. Funded Enrollment is now used to calculate PIR questions A.2-A.8.

Operating Days and Hours

We updated the Operating Days and Hours tab to reflect the changes for question A.2 on the 2020-2021 PIR. Changes include the addition of the new Provides 1020 annual hours for Head Start preschool children or 1380 hours of Early Head Start infants and toddlers question and additional fields that display depending on your selection.

If you select equal to or greater than for the Provides 1020 annual hours for Head Start preschool children or 1380 hours of Early Head Start infants and toddlers field, ChildPlus displays an additional new field: Available for the full-working-day and full-calendar-year (A.2.a.1).

If you select fewer than for the Provides 1020 annual hours for Head Start preschool children or 1380 hours of Early Head Start infants and toddlers field, ChildPlus Desktop displays two additional new fields: Available for 3.5 hours per day for 128 days (A.2.b.1) and Available for a full working day (A.2.b.2).

Setup >> System Setup >> Customize Dropdown Choices

PIR question A.26.k, American Sign Language, is new for the 2020-2021 PIR and was previously added (in ChildPlus 5.3) as a dropdown choice in Setup >> System Setup >> Customize Dropdown Choices.

PIR Reports

We updated the PIR reports in ChildPlus Desktop to match the changes in the 2020-2021 PIR. Because there were major changes to the PIR, many reports have name changes and some reports have been removed entirely. Additional report updates are set to come in the future.

Use this list to compare updated report names between ChildPlus 5.3 and ChildPlus 5.4:

5.3 Report Name 5.4 Report Name
Report 9701 - Enrollment, Turnover, Attendance (A.15, A.19, A.20, A.23) Report 9701 - Enrollment, Turnover (A.16, 18, 21, 22) (Grid)

Report 9702 - Age, Eligibility, Prior Enrollment (A.13, 16, 18) (Grid)

Report 9702 - Age, Eligibility, Prior Enrollment (A.10, A.13, A.15, A.24. A.28) (Grid)

Report 9703 - Age and Ethnicity (A.25) (Grid)

Report 9703 - Age and Ethnicity (A.25) (Grid)

Report 9704 - Language (A.26) (Grid)

Report 9704 - Language (A.26) (Grid)

Report 9705 - Subsidy, Transportation, Homeless (A.24, A.27a, C.54) (Grid)

N/A - report removed in ChildPlus 5.4. Information from this report can now be found on Report 9702 and Report 9731

Report 9706 - Health Insurance (C.1, 2) (Grid)

Report 9706 - Health Insurance (C.1) (Grid)

Report 9707 - Health Services (C.5, 6, 7, 8, 9) (Grid)

Report 9707 - Health Services (C.5, C.7, C.8, C.9) (Grid)

Report 9708 - Immunizations and Dental Services (C.11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20) (Grid)

9708 - Immunizations and Dental Services (C.10, C.11, C.12, C.16, C.17, C.18, C.19) (Grid)

Report 9709 - Mental Health Services and Referrals (C.23, 24, 28, 29) (Grid)

Report 9709 - Developmental Screenings (C.26, C.27) (Grid)

Report 9710 - Disability Services (C.25, C.26, C.27)

Report 9710 - Disability Services (C.23, C.24, C.25)

Report 9711 - Children Not Counted for C.8

Report 9711 - Children Not Counted for C.7

Report 9712 - Children Not Counted for C.19

Report 9712 - Children Not Counted for C.18

Report 9713 - Children Not Counted for C.20

Report 9713 - Children Not Counted for C.19

Report 9714 Developmental Screenings for Newly Enrolled Children

Report 9714 - Developmental Screenings for Newly Enrolled Children

Report 9715 - Classrooms, Centers (A.12, B.6, B.7) (Grid)

Report 9715 - Classrooms in Center-based (A.9) (Grid)

Report 9716 - Pregnant Women, Insurance (C.3, 4)

Report 9716 - Pregnant Women - Insurance and Accessible Health Care

Report 9720 - Program Staff - Count, Turnover, Ethnicity/Race (B.1, 12) (Grid)

Report 9720 - Program Staff - Count, Ethnicity/Race (B.1, 13) (Grid)

Report 9721 - Child Development Staff - Associate Degree (B.5c / B.8c) (Grid)

Report 9721 - Preschool Classroom and Assistant Teachers (HS and Migrant Programs) (B.3, B.4, B.5) (Grid)

Report 9722 - Child Development Staff - Baccalaureate Degree (B.5b / B.8b)

Report 9722 - Infant and Toddler Classroom Teachers (EHS and Migrant Programs) (B.6, B.7) (Grid)

Report 9723 - Child Development Staff - CDA, Advanced Degree (B.5a,d / B.8a,d)

Report 9723 - Home Visitors and Family Child Care Provider Staff Qualifications (B.8, B.9, B.10) (Grid)

Report 9724 - Child Development Staff - No Degree (B.5e / B.8e)

Report 9724 - Staff Turnover (B.16, B.17, B.18) (Grid)

Report 9725 - Child Development Staff - Classroom Teacher and Home-based Visitor Turnover

N/A - report removed in ChildPlus 5.4. Please run Report 9724 for this information instead

Report 9726 - Program Staff - Family Workers and FCP Supervisory Staff (B.23, B.24, 24a, 25, 26) (Grid)

N/A - report removed in ChildPlus 5.4

Report 9727 - Child Development Staff - Qualifications (B.5 / B.8) (Grid)

N/A - report removed in ChildPlus 5.4

Report 9728 - Program Staff - Language (B.13 / B.14)

Report 9728 - Program Staff - Language (B.14, B.15)

Report 9729 - Child Development Staff - Home-based and FCC

N/A - report removed in ChildPlus 5.4

Report 9730 - Employment, Training, Education (C.35, 38, 39, 45, 46, 49)

Report 9730 - Family - Parents/Employment/Job Training, Education (C.33, C.35, C.36, C.37)

Report 9731 - Family - Type, Assistance, Services, Military (C.36, 40-44, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55) (Grid)

Report 9731 - Family - Type, Assistance, Services, Military (C.34, C.38-C.50) (Grid)

Report 9740 - Pregnant Women, Services (A.14, C.14, 15, 16, 21)

Report 9740 - Pregnant Women, Services (A.11, C.13, C.14, C.15)

Report 9741 - Pregnant Women, Turnover (A.21, A.22)

Report 9741 - Pregnant Women, Turnover (A.19, A.20)

Report 9802 - PIR Performance Indicators (Grid)

N/A - report removed in ChildPlus 5.4

Report 9803 - Head Start PIR Snapshot (Grid)

N/A - report removed in ChildPlus 5.4

Report 9804 - Early Head Start PIR Snapshot (Grid)

N/A - report removed in ChildPlus 5.4

Updated Reports

The following reports and their Setup screens were updated to align with the changes in the 2020-2021 PIR:

  • Report 9700 - PIR Report (precalculated values and overrides)
  • Report 9704 - Language (A.26) (Grid)
  • Report 9714 - Developmental Screenings for Newly Enrolled Children
  • Report 9800 - PIR Answers (Grid)
  • Report 9801 - PIR Calculation Settings (Grid)
  • Report 9900 - PIR Report (current values)
  • Report 9910 - PIR Addendum Worksheet
  • Report 9913 - PIR Addendum - Health (Grid)

New Reports

Report 9717 - IDEA Eligibility C.21, C.22

New DRDP Assessment Features in ChildPlus Mobile

ChildPlus 5.4 includes more ways to use the DRDP Assessment module including the ability to track observations performed by parents, staff who are not teachers and others. There are also two new DRDP reports available in ChildPlus Mobile.

Report 5004 - DRDP Observations Counts by Child

This report displays observation counts and percentages for each measure and is grouped by participant.

Report 5050 - DRDP Checklist / Tally Sheet

Use this worksheet to manually check off observed participant skills.

Immunizations Available in ChildPlus Mobile

ChildPlus Mobile is growing again! The Immunizations module is available in ChildPlus Mobile. With ChildPlus Mobile, you can access your data from any device supporting Chrome or Safari. Track and stay up-to-date on Immunizations data for participants from anywhere.

ChildPlus Administrators can set security access to this module through ChildPlus Desktop >> Setup >> Security >> User Security Groups.

Updated CLASS® Thresholds

On August 27, 2020, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced new CLASS® thresholds that go into effect nationwide on October 27, 2020. These updated thresholds, which include Quality Thresholds for Pre-K and updates to the Re-competition Level, are now available in ChildPlus 5.4. You can activate CLASS® thresholds through ChildPlus Desktop >> Setup >> Module Setup >> CLASS® Observations.

Fixes

Make sure to read through our list of fixes to learn more about everything that we have fixed since your last ChildPlus update.

Questions

If you have any questions about this ChildPlus update, please contact ChildPlus Technical Support at support@childplus.com or 800.888.6674.