Section 388.1632v - Early childhood workforce project(1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated for 2022-2023 only an amount not to exceed $30,000,000.00 to implement an early childhood workforce project.(2) The department must award funding under this section to an intermediate district or a consortium of intermediate districts to serve as a fiscal agent. The recipient intermediate district or consortium of intermediate districts at the direction of the department and in collaboration with the department of licensing and regulatory affairs child care licensing bureau, and organizations with experience recruiting and training early childhood professionals, must do all of the following:(a) Assess early childhood workforce needs, with a priority placed on professionals in child care, Head Start, and the great start readiness program settings, and support improvements in how data on the early learning and care workforce is collected, stored, and used for professional advancement.(b) Update and promote clear career pathways for early learning and care roles, including current compensation levels.(c) Ensure professional development, certificates, and degrees align to the career pathway and quality rating and improvement system.(d) Develop and pilot alternative education and training programs, including, but not limited to, competency-based credentials and micro credentials for early learning and care professionals.(e) Pilot projects that support the recruitment and retention of early learning and care professionals with a priority placed on professionals in child care and the great start readiness program settings. At least 1 pilot project must test strategies to sustainably increase wages and benefits to align with professionals with similar levels of educational requirements, specialization requirements, and job responsibilities.(3) Funds allocated under this section for 2022-2023 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2022-2023 are carried forward into 2023-2024. The purpose of the work project is to launch an early childhood workforce project to recruit, train, and retain professionals in all early learning settings, with a priority on child care and preschool settings. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2027.(4) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.Added by 2023, Act 103,s 80, eff. 7/21/2023.