Amber Taurasi at the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) is beginning to contact child care programs about conducting a site visit.  Programs are randomly selected for a scheduled site visit to validate a program’s Rising Stars for ME application. These visits are a requirement for all licensed and license-exempt non-relative programs in Maine, regardless of current Star rating. A site visit does vary based on the individual program.

• For Star 1 and 2 programs: No Rising Stars for ME E-Portfolio is required. The site visit will answer any questions and make connections if the program is interested. If documents have been uploaded into E-Portfolio, an individualized plan can be created to assist the program in their effort to achieve a higher Star level. If the program is not interested in moving to a higher Star rating, a visit is still required by OCFS.  In this case, the site visit will typically take less than 30 minutes. 
• For Star 3 and 4 programs: E-Portfolio evidence (electronic or hard copy) that specific requirements are being met within each of the seven (7) Standards must be maintained. The evidence must be available when a program is chosen for site visit. If the applicable information is already uploaded to the online application, nothing additional is needed. These visits typically take about 90 minutes. 
• For Star 5 programs: Most Rising Stars for ME requirements are covered via the accreditation requirements. The site visit includes reviewing staffing qualifications, trainings, and Rising Stars for ME Inclusive Practices Checklist. These visits typically take about 60 minutes.

How should I prepare for the visit?

To ensure an efficient Site Visit and Review, please have the following available:

• A workspace set up review materials
• Rising Stars for ME evidence, if not already uploaded to www.risingstarsforme.org

You will receive a summary of the visit’s findings within ten (10) business days of the Site Visit and Review. If you have general questions about the Rising Stars for ME application or Standards, please visit the Office of Child and Family Service’s Rising Stars for ME website or email risingstarsforme@maine.edu.