INSIGHTS INTO THE BLACK BOX OF CHILD CARE SUPPLY: PREDICTORS OF PROVIDER PARTICIPATION IN THE CHILD CARE SUBSIDY SYSTEM

拟议的论文将在很大程度上借鉴经济理论和战略管理研究模型预测供应商参与补贴制度。具体而言，该研究的定量部分将利用行政数据和美国人口普查数据来测试三个实证模型，这些模型将检查与供应商决策相关的因素，这些决策包括：1）是否参与补贴系统，2）为多少补贴接受者提供服务，3）是否接受代金券和/或与国家签订补贴儿童保育插槽的合同。本研究的定性部分包括与中心提供者董事的访谈，以探索参与补贴的途径，并确定影响提供者补贴决策的定量模型中未研究的其他因素。本论文的结果不仅将通过为该领域增加新知识，对目前儿童保育供应文献中的空白做出重大贡献，而且还将使补贴政策制定者和管理者更好地了解1）与未参与补贴制度的儿童保育提供者相比，参与补贴制度的儿童保育提供者的特征，2）参与的潜在动机来源和障碍，以及3）不同的参与程度如何可能导致补贴接受者不公平地获得各种护理选择。 样品：定量方法样本将包括来自马萨诸塞州早期教育和护理部的8,500多名持牌和中心提供者的行政数据，其中3,900人接受补贴。 定性方法的样本将包括20个基于中心的儿童保育提供者主任/工作人员 措施： 定量方法 提供者参与。 ·马萨诸塞州的儿童保育信息管理系统（CCIMS）和电子儿童保育信息管理系统（eCIMMS） 提供商的特点和提供的服务类型。 ·马萨诸塞州的许可、NACCRRAware和QRIS数据 当地儿童保育市场和区域政策/实践。 美国人口普查局的美国社区调查（ACS）2008-2012年5年样本 美国人口普查局邮政编码制表区（ZCTA） ·美国人口普查局的Tiger/Line形状文件 ·马萨诸塞州早期教育和护理部许可数据 定性方法 ·为供应商决策者提供的半结构化面试指南

The proposed dissertation will draw largely on economic theory and strategic management research to model predictors of provider participation in the subsidy system. Specifically, the quantitative portion of the study will utilize administrative data and U.S. Census data to test three empirical models that examine factors associated with provider decisions about 1) whether or not to participate in the subsidy system, 2) how many subsidy recipients to serve and 3) whether to accept vouchers and/or contract with the state for subsidized child care slots. The qualitative portion of the study includes interviews with center-based provider directors to explore pathways to subsidy participation and identify additional factors not examined in the quantitative models that affect providers' subsidy decisions Results from this dissertation will not only make a significant contribution to the current gap in the child care supply literature by adding new knowledge to the field, but will also provide subsidy policy-makers and administrators with a better understanding of 1) the characteristics of child care providers participating in the subsidy system compared to those that do not, 2) potential sources of motivation for and barriers to participation, and 3) how differential participation may contribute to inequitable access to a full range of care options for subsidy recipients. Sample: The quantitative methods sample will include administrative data from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care on over 8,500 licensed and center-based providers and 3,900 of whom accept subsidies. The qualitative methods samples will include 20 center-based child care provider directors/staff Measures: Quantitative Methods Measures Provider Participation. • Massachusetts' Child Care Information Management System (CCIMS) and Electronic Child Care Information Management System (eCIMMS) Provider Characteristics & Types of Services Offered. • Massachusetts' licensing, NACCRRAware, and QRIS data Local Child Care Market & Regional Policy/Practice. • U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2008-2012 5-year sample • U.S. Census Bureau's Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) • U.S. Census Bureau's Tiger/Line shape files • Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care licensing data Qualitative Methods Measures • A semi-structured interview guide for provider decision-makers