Section 12-17.2-7.2-7 - Prekindergarten program; establishment; administration; prekindergarten vouchers and provider expansion grants(a) The prekindergarten program is established to provide: (1) prekindergarten vouchers for qualified early education services in a manner consistent with how funds are distributed under the CCDF child care voucher program; and(2) grants for expansion plans as described in section 7.4(a)(2) of this chapter.(b) The office shall administer the prekindergarten program. The prekindergarten program may include: (1) eligible providers in Indiana; and(2) potential eligible providers or existing eligible providers as described in section 7.4 of this chapter.(c) Beginning July 1, 2020, the total number of prekindergarten vouchers provided during the immediately preceding state fiscal year shall include the number of prekindergarten vouchers issued under a preschool program established in March 2015 that operates in a consolidated city.(d) The prekindergarten program includes eligible providers in any county in Indiana.(e) Subject to the requirements of this chapter, the office shall determine:(1) the eligibility requirements, application process, and selection process for providing prekindergarten vouchers under the prekindergarten program and awarding grants under section 7.4 of this chapter;(2) the administration and reporting requirements for:(A) eligible providers; and(B) potential eligible providers or existing eligible providers; participating in the prekindergarten program; and
(3) with the assistance of the early learning advisory committee, an appropriate outcomes based accountability system for:(A) eligible providers; and(B) potential eligible providers or existing eligible providers.(f) The office shall, subject to the availability of funding, determine the number of eligible children, limited eligibility children, and children of child care employees who will participate in the prekindergarten program.Amended by P.L. 92-2024,SEC. 17, eff. 3/13/2024.Amended by P.L. 246-2023,SEC. 11, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by P.L. 268-2019,SEC. 7, eff. 5/5/2019.Amended by P.L. 184-2017,SEC. 19, eff. 7/1/2017.Added by P.L. 202-2014, SEC. 2, eff. 7/1/2014.