New CCDF Policies for Clear Suspension & Expulsion Policies

New CCDF Policies Call for Clear Suspension and Expulsion Policies


This update focuses on ensuring that all CCDF-eligible programs in Indiana have clear policies regarding suspension and expulsion. These rule requirements aim to ensure positive social-emotional growth in all early education settings.

Requirements for all CCDF-Eligible Programs:
Early education programs that are eligible for CCDF vouchers must have a policy on suspension and expulsion. Programs must share policies before families enroll. Additionally, all programs should update families on their policies at this time.
These policies have to promote social-emotional growth. They need to include age-appropriate positive behavior supports. Programs also have to limit – or eliminate – any disciplinary approaches that focus on excluding children. That includes expulsion, suspension and other practices that remove children from learning.
Program policies must clearly define a process for managing challenging behaviors. For behaviors that cannot be managed using ordinary classroom strategies, clear steps must be defined.

 A child cannot be expelled for behavioral challenges unless those procedures have been followed.
Suspension and expulsion due to non-payment is a separate issue. It is not covered by this rule. 

Programs’ policies on suspension and expulsion will be checked in on by the state’s licensing system. Indiana’s licensing consultants regularly visit regulated programs. In any visit after October 1, 2018, programs are expected to be able to share their policy with consultants.


For programs: if there are any questions about creating a policy, the state has created supports. A guidance tool for programs has been developed to assist with the creation of a suspension and expulsion policy. The OECOSL Suspension and Expulsion Policy Guidance for Programs is posted on OECOSL’s website and here on the Brighter Futures Indiana’s website. Indiana’s local child care resource and referral agencies can also provide help on meeting this update.