La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CLXVII-310

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section CLXVII-310 - Ready Start Network Lead Agency

A. A Ready Start Network lead agency is either a state agency, a local public school system, or a non-profit having an educational or social services mission, including but not limited to a nonprofit corporation of a philanthropic or policy nature, a Louisiana public postsecondary institution, or a nonprofit corporation established by the governing authority of a parish or municipality, which is approved by BESE and that:

1. carries out the duties and responsibilities of the Ready Start Network;

2. acts as the liaison between the Ready Start Network and the department; and

3. is responsible for coordinating with the fiscal agent.

B. Duties and Responsibilities

1. The Ready Start Network lead agency shall be responsible for:

a. Working with designated community network lead agencies in meeting the requirements of §307.B.1 Any such agreements will be memorialized in an MOU.

b. Developing a coalition of local stakeholders that shall include representation from the community network and shall seek to include representation from partners such as parents, local government, non-profits, businesses, research and education entities, faith-based organizations, and/or philanthropic entities. A list of coalition members shall be submitted to the department annually.

c. Establishing a Ready Start Network advisory council that advises the Ready Start Network lead agency, assists in establishment of by-laws and meeting protocols, and collaborates to develop and maintain a blueprint, which is a strategic document outlining the community network's current state, mission, vision, and goals. A list of the advisory council members and the blueprint shall be submitted to the department annually.

d. Creating, maintaining, and updating a funding plan, which is a document that identifies the Ready Start Network's current funding sources and outlines the Ready Start Network's plans for seeking additional funding to support early care and education initiatives implemented at the local level. The funding plan shall be submitted to the department annually.

C. Selection and Approval

1. Ready Start Network lead agencies shall be approved by BESE.

2. The department shall identify potential Ready Start Network lead agencies through a competitive process and submit them to BESE for approval.

3. Applicants for Ready Start Network lead agency shall seek support from publicly-funded programs within its designated community network by obtaining signatures and submitting them to the department in the competitive process.

4. By June 30 of each year, the department shall recommend the identified Ready Start Network lead agencies to BESE for approval.

5. If BESE has not approved a lead agency for a particular Ready Start Network by July 1, that lead agency shall not be considered a Ready Start Network.

6. Ready Start Network lead agencies approved by BESE shall serve for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30.

7. Ready Start Network lead agencies adhere to a renewal process with the department every two years.

D. Contracts

1. Ready Start Network lead agencies approved by BESE shall enter into a Ready Start Network lead agency agreement with the department.

2. The Ready Start Network lead agency may enter into a contract or agreement with an individual or entity for performance of specific tasks within the duties and responsibilities of the Ready Start Network lead agency, but the Ready Start Network lead agency remains responsible for satisfactory completion of the tasks.

E. Funding

1. Subject to available funding, the department will make recommendations to BESE for annual funding of Ready Start Network lead agencies to carry out the responsibilities included in §310

a. Ready Start Network lead agencies shall be notified of the total Ready Start Network funding for the following fiscal year by June 30.

b. Ready Start Network lead agencies shall use funding solely to fulfill the duties and responsibilities specific to the Ready Start Network lead agency as provided in this bulletin.

F. Audit

1. BESE may request a financial audit of the Ready Start Network lead agency's use of funds allocated to it.

2. Audits shall be at the department's expense.

3. If a Ready Start Network lead agency improperly uses its allocated funds, the Ready Start Network lead agency may be required to repay the improperly used amount.

G. Termination of Ready Start Network Lead Agency Approval

1. If a Ready Start Network lead agency fails to satisfactorily and timely comply with the duties and responsibilities contained in this bulletin or with any additional duties and responsibilities established in writing during the competitive process, the department shall notify the Ready Start Network lead agency, and all publicly-funded programs within the community network, in writing and specify any corrective actions that may be required.

2. Within 30 calendar days of receiving such notice, the Ready Start Network lead agency shall submit in writing to the department certification that the corrective actions have been taken or are in the process of being taken and submit a timely implementation schedule for department approval.

3. If the Ready Start Network lead agency does not respond in writing in a timely or satisfactory manner or adhere to the implementation schedule approved by the department, either or both of the following actions may occur.

a. The department may withhold Ready Start Network funds from the Ready Start Network lead agency for any Ready Start Network work not yet performed.

b. The department may make a recommendation to BESE that the status of the Ready Start Network lead agency be terminated.

4. The department shall notify all publicly-funded programs in a Ready Start Network of any change in that Ready Start Network lead agency's status.

5. If a Ready Start Network lead agency's approval is terminated:

a. The entity shall be ineligible to serve as lead agency for the Ready Start Network from which its approval was terminated for a minimum period of 24 months.

b. If the entity serves as lead agency for more than one Ready Start Network, the entity may continue to serve as lead agency for any Ready Start Network for which approval has not been terminated.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CLXVII-310

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 482094 (8/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.17:407.23 et seq.