1. What age groups are required to have a Family Language Instrument (FLI) on file?
a. This requirement applies to all children 0-13 in center-based General Child Care and Development programs (CCTR) and center-based Migrant Child Care and Development programs (CMIG). This includes infants, toddlers, children who are not speaking yet, children who may be deaf and/or hard of hearing, and/or those who use sign language. This also applies to children aged 13-21 who may continue receiving care if they have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and receive appropriate special education and related services.
2. Does the dual language learner (DLL) requirement apply to Family Child Care Homes (FCCHEN)?
a. Currently, it applies only to center-based CCTR and center-based CMIG programs, not FCCHENs or family child care home providers.
3. Why does Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 25-13 state that the Family Language Instrument (FLI) must be completed at enrollment OR recertification?
a. The CDSS has added this to reduce the administrative burden on programs. If a child has enrolled in a center-based CCTR or center-based CMIG program prior to July 1, 2025, the FLI must be completed when that child is recertified into the program. The FLI must be completed at least once per child, not at every recertification.
4. Can parents update the Family Language Instrument (FLI)?
a. Yes, parents can update their answers at any time.
5. Can the questions in the Family Language Instrument (FLI) be modified or merged with CDE’s documents?
a. The questions in the CDSS FLI must be used as written for data accuracy and consistency. While the CDSS FLI is generally in alignment with the CDE, the CDSS version may vary slightly to be inclusive of younger children and children with disabilities. Please use the CDSS or CDE tools that are most developmentally and linguistically appropriate for the child. Please refer to question number one above for more details on what age group the CDSS FLI is for. Programs also have the flexibility to place the questions from the FLI on their own forms and update the formatting as needed.
6. Is DLL designation mandatory for reporting even if parents opt out?
a. It is not mandatory for parents/guardians to complete a FLI and FL&II. However, if the family opts out of the staff designation, it must be recorded in the child’s file. Additionally, staff may designate the child as a DLL through the Staff Designation process as needed.
7. During the Staff Designation process, who is responsible for designating a child as a DLL in the program?
a. It varies by program. Typically, the primary teacher or caregiver, or another staff member who works directly with the family and child, is responsible for making the DLL designation. CDSS highly encourages staff who directly work with the child to designate the child as a DLL as needed.
8. Does the program need to collect a new Family Language Instrument (FLI) form every time a family recertifies?
a. No. The FLI only needs to be completed once, at the time of a child’s initial enrollment or recertification, whichever comes first after July 1, 2025. However, families may revisit and update their responses on the FLI upon recertification or at any time as needed.
9. Can the Family Language Instrument (FLI) and the Family Language and Interest Interview (FL&II) be made into a Word doc version for modification?
a. Programs can incorporate the FLI and FL&II questions into their own format to use. However, the questions must be used as written for data accuracy and consistency.
10. Who completes the Family Language Instrument (FLI) and the Family Language and Interest Interview (FL&II)?
a. The FLI is completed by parents upon enrollment or recertification. The FL&II is completed by the staff along with the parents in the form of an interview once the child has been identified as a DLL.
11. Does the Family Language Instrument (FLI) and the Family Language and Interest Interview (FL&II) measure DLL language proficiency?
a. The FLI determines DLL status, not proficiency. Once a child is determined to be a DLL, the FL&II will be completed to better understand the child’s language background and needs.
12. Will completing or not completing the Family Language Instrument (FLI) and the Family Language and Interest Interview (FL&II) forms affect a child’s eligibility for services?
a. No. If parents or guardians choose not to complete the FLI or FL&II, it will not impact their child’s enrollment in a CCTR or CMIG program or affect the child's eligibility for child care programs.
13. How does completing or not completing the Family Language Instrument (FLI) and the Family Language and Interest Interview (FL&II) affect a program’s funding?
a. The DLL designation helps the program report accurate DLL data to secure funding and resources for DLL children without affecting the child’s and family’s eligibility for services.
14. How can programs manage children transferring from one program to another?
a. If a child has transferred from a California State Preschool Program (CSPP) to a CCTR or CMIG, contractors may use the CSPP’s DLL designation data to identify the DDL status of the child. If a child was identified as a non-DLL but shows signs of using another language, the program has 45 days from enrollment to determine if a staff designation is needed.
15. Are the Family Language Instrument (FLI) and the Family Language and Interest Interview (FL&II) available in different languages? If so, where can they be accessed?
a. The CDSS has provided translations of the FLI and FL&II in the following languages: English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean, Armenian, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, Russian, Farsi/Persian, and Hmong. Contractors can access the Family Language Instrument and Family Language and Interest Interview here.
Data Questions
16. When do we have to start collecting the DLL data?
a. Beginning July 1, 2025, contractors must maintain records of children identified as DLLs in the child’s file and be able to submit the data to CDSS upon request. Further guidance will be provided on data reporting in the future.
17. Are all programs required to report DLL data?
a. All contractors serving children in center-based CCTR and center-based CMIG programs are required to report DLL data, as required by Assembly Bill (AB) 393 (Chapter 435, Statutes of 2023), and codified within Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 10209.6.
18. Is there a timeline for when CDSS will release data collection templates or portals?
a. The CDSS anticipates that DLL data reporting will begin July 1, 2026, using the Child Development Management Information System (CDMIS). Reporting instructions and updates for contractors and software vendors will be released in the months leading up to July 2026.
19. What is the reporting frequency?
a. The planned reporting frequency is bi-annual (twice-a-year) through CDMIS. The exact reporting dates are under development.
20. Will data reporting be tied to contract compliance?
a. Reporting DLL data into CDMIS will be required once the application has been updated. Failure to report may affect contract compliance.
21. What specific data does the program report to CDSS?
a. Data collected from the Family Language Instrument and Family Language and Interest Interview, including demographic information (e.g. child’s name, address, contact information, languages, race, ethnicity, etc.).
22. Will DLL data be shared with anyone other than CDSS?
a. No. DLL data is protected and maintained in the child’s file and reported only to CDSS as required. Any public reporting will not include any personally identifiable information (e.g., will be in aggregate form) to protect the children and families’ privacy.