HF 2340

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; authorizing planning
grants for school readiness projects; appropriating
money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin SCHOOL READINESS PLANNING GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Administration. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of
education shall award planning grants to develop projects that
will promote the school readiness of children by coordinating
and improving access to community-based and neighborhood-based
services that help stabilize at-risk families, and that support
and assist parents in meeting the health and developmental needs
of their children at the earliest possible age.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program components. new text end

new text begin (a) Planning projects
eligible for this grant funding must propose to:
new text end

new text begin (1) collaborate and coordinate delivery of services with
community organizations and agencies serving children and their
families;
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new text begin (2) target services to families with children with services
increasing based on financial needs;
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new text begin (3) build on existing services and coordinate a continuum
of essential services, including but not limited to, health
services, family economic assistance, parent education and
support, and preschool programs;
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new text begin (4) provide strategic outreach efforts to families using
culturally specific social support, information, outreach, and
other programs to promote healthy development of children and to
help parents obtain the information, resources, and parenting
skills needed to nurture and care for their children;
new text end

new text begin (5) offer programs to expand public and private
collaboration to promote the development of a coordinated and
culturally specific system of services available to all
families; and
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new text begin (6) offer other programs or services to improve the health,
development, and school readiness of children in target
neighborhoods and communities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible grantees. new text end

new text begin An application for a grant
may be submitted by a nonprofit organization, or consortium of
nonprofit organizations, that demonstrates collaborative effort
with at least one unit of local government.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Distribution. new text end

new text begin To the extent possible, the
commissioner shall award grants to applicants with experience or
demonstrated ability in providing comprehensive,
multidisciplinary, community-based programs with objectives
similar to those listed in subdivision 2, or in providing other
human services or social services programs using a
multidisciplinary, community-based approach.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Applications. new text end

new text begin The application must be submitted
on forms provided by the commissioner. The grant application
must include:
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new text begin (1) a description of the specific community that will be
served under the program and the name, address, and a
description of each community agency or agencies involved in the
planning process;
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new text begin (2) a letter of intent from each community agency
identified in clause (1) that indicates the agency's willingness
to participate in the program planning; and
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new text begin (3) a description of how public and private resources,
including schools, health care facilities, government agencies,
neighborhood organizations, and other resources, will be
coordinated in the planning process.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Match. new text end

new text begin Each dollar of state money must be
matched with 50 cents of nonstate money. Programs may match
state money with in-kind contributions, including volunteer
assistance.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Advisory committee. new text end

new text begin Each grantee must establish
a program advisory board to advise the grantee on program
design. The board must include representatives of local units
of government and representatives of the project area who
reflect the geographic, cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity
of that community.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for
fiscal year 2006.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $50,000 in fiscal year 2006 is appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of education for school
readiness planning grants under section 1. This appropriation
is available until June 30, 2007.
new text end