Section 52-2-711 - Resource and referral and day-care improvement grant program(1)(a) There is a grant program established within the department for the allocation of grant money to local child-care resource and referral programs and for improving the availability of quality child care and school-age day care.(b) Program funds may include money from the following sources:(i) funds specifically appropriated by the legislature for use under this section;(ii) private gifts, grants, and donations;(iii) federal or foundation grants awarded to the state for the purposes of this section; and(iv) any other money made available for the purposes of this section.(2)(a) The department may award grants to private, nonprofit organizations and public organizations that demonstrate the ability to provide child-care resource and referral services.(b) To be eligible for a grant from the department as a resource and referral agency for a local area, an organization: (i) shall maintain a database of child-care services in the community, including day-care facilities and preschools, which the organization continually updates;(ii) shall include on the staff of the organization at least one individual who has expertise in child development;(iii) must have the capability to provide resource and referral services in the local area;(iv) must be able to respond to requests for information or assistance in a timely fashion;(v) must be committed to providing services to all segments of the general public;(vi) must be able to provide parents with a checklist to identify quality child-care services;(vii) must be able to provide information on the availability of child-care subsidies;(viii) shall maintain and make available to the public the number of all referrals made by the resource and referral agency; and(ix) shall otherwise satisfy regulations promulgated by the department pursuant to this part.(3)(a) The department may award grants for improving the availability of quality child care and school-age day care and for consumer education.(b) The following grant applications must be given priority: (i) grant applications for professional training for day-care or school-age care providers;(ii) grant applications for the startup of school-age care programs or facilities when a community need has been demonstrated;(iii) grant applications for consumer education; and(iv) grant applications for preservation or expansion of existing care programs that fill a demonstrated need.(4) The department shall adopt rules to administer the provisions of this section.En. Sec. 5, Ch. 692, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 318, L. 1997.