HF 4193

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to early childhood education; establishing an early childhood education
for homeless children pilot project; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
PILOT PROJECT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin An early childhood education for homeless children
pilot project is established for children from birth to age four who have experienced
homelessness. The project shall include parent education and staff development
components, serve 1,500 families and 3,000 children, and 150 shelters and supportive
housing organizations shall participate in the project.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) Children from birth to age four who have experienced
homelessness or are currently homeless are eligible to participate in the project under
this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) Homeless shelters and supportive housing organizations that serve families with
children from birth to age four are eligible to participate in the project under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Early childhood education scholarships. new text end

new text begin (a) Children eligible under
subdivision 2, paragraph (a), may receive a scholarship of up to $....... per year to
participate in quality early childhood education and child care programs. For purposes of
this section, "quality early childhood education and child care programs" means programs
that have been rated a three or four by the quality rating system.
new text end

new text begin (b) Children must be assessed prior to access to services and periodically throughout
the period of service delivery. Assessment must be based on a standardized child
development process performed by a professional competent in both early childhood
development and multicultural perspectives.
new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, families receiving a
scholarship under this subdivision are also eligible for MFIP child care assistance under
Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.05.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Parent education. new text end

new text begin Parent education and support must be provided by
shelter and supportive housing staff using documented best practices specific to the needs
of homeless families and young children.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Shelter and supportive housing staff development. new text end

new text begin Shelter and
supportive housing staff must be trained in standardized child development tools. In
addition, a consultation service for case managers and advocates serving families with
young children who have experienced homelessness must be developed. Shelters and
supportive housing organizations eligible under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), may apply to
the commissioner of human services for staff development grants. Applications must be
made according to the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Equipment. new text end

new text begin Shelters and supportive housing sites must be sufficiently
equipped to support the physical and developmental needs of very young children. Sites
may apply to the commissioner of human services for grants to purchase appropriate
equipment, toys, books, and furnishings to support the developmental needs of children
from birth to age four. Applications must be made according to the form and manner
prescribed by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Planning and evaluation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services must
contract with a third party evaluator to develop, implement, and monitor all aspects of
program evaluation. Each grantee must establish a community-based planning committee
to guide and support program goals and strategies.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services must report to the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over early childhood education and shelters and supportive
housing on the results of the evaluation under subdivision 7 by February 1, .....
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The pilot project under this section sunsets on June 30, 2010.
new text end

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

new text begin $10,713,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2009 to the
commissioner of human services for the purposes of the early childhood education for
homeless children pilot project. Of this amount, $5,642,000 is for early childhood
education scholarships, $279,000 is for parent education, $1,620,000 is for shelter and
supportive housing staff development, $2,850,000 is for developmentally appropriate
equipment, $80,000 is for program evaluation, and $242,000 is for administration.
new text end