Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 7 - EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION (§§ 6-87-101 — 6-87-104) › Chapter 87 - UNIFIED EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION SYSTEM. (§§ 6-87-101 — 6-87-104) › Section 6-87-104 - Transition of federal funds for Child Care and Development Block Grant - Department of Education authority to receive federal funds for Child Care and Development Block Grant

(a)
(1)
Upon transfer of lead agency authority from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Education for the federal Child Care and Development Fund, the Department of Education may accept and direct the disbursement of funds appropriated by any act of the United States Congress and apportioned to the State of Arkansas for use in connection with any Child Care and Development Fund programs.
(2)
(A)
The Department of Education shall deposit all funds received from the United States Government with the Treasurer of State, who shall, subject to legislative appropriation, make disbursements upon the recommendation of the Department of Education.
(B)
Before the transfer of lead agency authority under subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the Department of Human Services shall seek input and approval from the Department of Education in the development of the federal Child Care and Development Fund State Plan or any amendments to the plan before its submittal to the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(b)
The State Board of Education shall:
(1)
Promulgate rules required to implement the Child Care and Development Fund State Plan; and
(2)
Develop and implement a state plan in accordance with the rules promulgated under this subsection.
(c)
(1)
Before the transfer of lead agency authority under subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education shall enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement to ensure a coordinated and seamless transition that does not interrupt the provision of state services or unduly impact the operation or function of either agency and that is informed by the early childhood stakeholders.
(2)
The cooperative endeavor agreement required under subdivision (c)(1) of this section may allow services to be purchased by the Department of Education, including without limitation the following services:
(A)
Fulfilling grant requirements;
(B)
Data reporting; and
(C)
Services to clients.
(d)
The transition required under this section shall occur in such a manner that is cost neutral to the state.
(e)
Lead agency authority shall transfer no later than October 1, 2023, which shall be established in the cooperative endeavor agreement.
(f)
(1)
The cooperative endeavor agreement required under this section shall be submitted to the Legislative Council for review.
(2)
As part of administering lead agency authority, the Department of Education may contract existing functions back to the Department of Human Services, subject to legislative review by July 1, 2025.
(g)
The Department of Education and the Department of Human Services shall coordinate, share appropriate data, and jointly report on any workforce development indicators or priorities associated with early childhood care and education funding programs as they relate to the postsecondary education, training, and employment of beneficiaries who are parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to a student receiving services under this chapter.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 58, eff. 7/1/2023.