La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CLXVII-903

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024

Section CLXVII-903 - Eligibility Requirements

A. Subject to legislative appropriation, monies in the fund will be awarded annually to local entities approved by the board.

B. Fund awards are reserved for projects that expand the number of early childhood care and education quality seats for families eligible for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in type III early learning centers with a performance rating of "proficient" or above and at least one classroom with children age 15 months or younger.

C. Entities eligible to receive fund awards include, but are not limited to, BESE-approved local community networks and early learning centers.

D. Each applicant seeking an award must establish eligibility criteria for the early childhood care and education quality seats financed by local funds that serve as the match for the award. At a minimum, eligibility criteria established by each applicant must contain the following assurances:

1. that only those children whose family income makes them economically disadvantaged, as defined in Title 28, Part I, Chapter 11 of the Louisiana Administrative Code, shall be eligible for the early childhood care and education quality seats outlined in the applicant's proposal; and

2. that at least 70 percent of any funding awarded to the applicant will be used to directly fund additional early childhood care and education seats in type III early learning centers with a performance rating of "proficient" or above and at least one classroom with children age 15 months or younger;

3. remaining awarded funding will be used to:

a. expand seats through improved quality; and

b. pay for audit costs required per §909 of this Chapter.

E. Funding is intended to supplement existing funding sources and not to be used to supplant existing state or federal funds.

F. Prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year, the Early Childhood Care and Education Advisory Council shall review this Chapter and, as necessary, recommend revisions to BESE based on learnings from the first two years of the fund.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CLXVII-903

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 46555 (4/1/2020), Amended LR 482730 (11/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6 and 17:407.30 et seq.