Section 92-11-007 - Early Childhood Education Grants for Prekindergarten Programs for Children Ages Three to Kindergarten Entrance AgeAny school district, individually or in cooperation with other school districts or educational service units, working in cooperation with existing nonpublic programs meeting the requirements for approval in this Chapter may submit an application for an Early Childhood Education Grant for a prekindergarten program for children ages three (3) to kindergarten entrance age that is established by the district and is approved by the Department pursuant to this Chapter. Administrative authority for Early Childhood Education Grants for prekindergarten programs for children from birth to age three (3) (Sixpence Grants) resides with the Early Childhood Education Endowment Board of Trustees.
007.01Children Who May Be Served With Grant Funds. 007.01A All prekindergarten-age children, ages three (3) to kindergarten entrance age, regardless of their abilities, disabilities, or the social, linguistic, or economic diversity of the children's families are eligible to be served with grant funds awarded as provided in this Chapter.007.01B Up to thirty percent of the funds granted for each prekindergarten program under this Chapter may be used to offset program costs for children who are not identified in the priorities specified in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-1103(1)(b),(c),and (d) or who are not supported through any of the funding sources listed in Subsection 004.04 of this Chapter, in order to maximize the participation of children from diverse groups.007.01C Early Childhood Education Grant funds will not be used to support the participation of children who are below age three or who are eligible by age to enroll in kindergarten (those who reach age five by July 31 of the current year).007.02Grant Application Process.007.02ARequest For Proposals. For years in which grant funds are available, the Department will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for new or expansion grants for programs for children ages three to kindergarten entrance age.007.02BForms. Each school district applying for new or expansion grant funding under this Chapter, individually or in cooperation with other school districts or educational service units, will submit an application on the forms in Appendix B of this Chapter. The application process for continuation grants is established online and requires electronic submission of information identified in Appendix C of this Chapter.007.02C Applications. Applications will be rated on the basis of conformance with the requirements of this Chapter.007.02DPanel. The Commissioner or his or her designee will appoint a panel of persons knowledgeable in early childhood education to evaluate the applications and to recommend proposals for funding to the Commissioner.007.02ECommissioner's Recommendation. Application funding recommendations by the Commissioner will be made at a meeting of the State Board of Education. Upon action by the Board, all applicants will be notified of the outcome.007.02FFunding Distribution. Grant funds will be distributed by the Department using the priorities and limitations specified in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-1103(1),(b),(c),and (d). The Department will make an effort to fund programs across the state in both rural and urban areas.007.03Grant Funding. 007.03A Each prekindergarten program approved under the provisions of this Chapter will be eligible to apply for grant funding subject to the following: 007.03A1 Appropriation of the funds by the Legislature.007.03A2 An annual review of compliance with the requirements of this Chapter and quality as measured over time by the program assessment tool pursuant to Section 005.04A. Programs found with deficiencies as identified in the assessment tool must show measured progress annually.92 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 11, § 007
Adopted effective 11/23/2015.Amended effective 3/18/2020