The division as the goal of 100% of specialized child care programs participating in the STARS program and having achieved 3 or more stars. The number of specialized child care programs that have achieved 3 STARS has increased by 4% in the past year. This increase has been supported by community Children's Integrated Services (CIS) Child Care Coordinators. The CIS Child Care Coordinators work to support child care providers to become specialized and to increase their quality

Specialized Child Care (SCC) is part of the continuum of coordinated services offered through Children’s Integrated Services (CIS) in Vermont communities.  SCC offers an array of services and supports to families and children with identified specialized child care needs, and to child care providers and CIS specialists working with families to assure that these children experience success in child care settings that meet their needs. Specialized Child Care providers have made a commitment to providing the best quality care to vulnerable children in their care.  They agree to continuous professional development that targets the social emotional development of children to enhance and improve their skills in a safe and supportive environment

Specialized Child Care serves three populations:

• Children and families with open Family Support or custody cases with the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families (called Protective Services Child Care);
• Families experiencing significant stress (called Family Support Child Care); and
• Children with special physical, medical, behavioral, or development needs (called Child with Special Health Needs Child Care).