TITLE 20 EDUCATION

1A. Early Care and Learning, 20-1A-1 through 20-1A-64.

ARTICLE 3 CHILD CARE COUNCIL

20-1A-64. Functions and authority of lead agency and department.

1. The lead agency shall:
   1. Provide to the department, under contract, an amount not less than the minimum percentage of the grant to the State of Georgia under the federal act, which must be expended for activities that are designed to provide comprehensive consumer education to parents and the public, activities that increase parental choice, and activities designed to improve the quality, availability, and affordability of child care. In addition to this minimum percentage, the lead agency shall also provide the amount of any additional funds, which exist on October 1, 2004, or which may exist in the future, which are required to be spent on activities relating to improving the quality of child care, including care for school age children;
   2. In conjunction with the department, provide a mechanism for the planning and coordination of child care programs at the state and local levels;
   3. Recommend to the department measures to improve the quality, availability, and affordability of child care in this state;
   4. In conjunction with the department, inventory and monitor the disbursement and make recommendations as to the coordination of the disbursement of all state and federal funding streams that impact the supply, quality, and affordability of child care;
   5. In conjunction with the department, develop an annual Georgia child care plan which includes all identified revenue sources and, at a minimum, the requirements indicated in the federal act;
   6. Hold one or more public hearings, with state-wide publication of the notice of such hearings 30 days before the date of each hearing, to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the provision of child care services under the annual Georgia child care plan, as required by the federal act;
   7. Develop reports that meet, at a minimum, the reporting requirements of the federal act;
   8. In conjunction with the department, recommend to the Governor and to the General Assembly policies, legislation, and funding that will promote the work of the lead agency and department and the realization of the Georgia child care plan to promote quality, affordable, and accessible child care for Georgia's children; and
   9. Develop a plan for application and distribution, including any necessary requests for proposals, in accordance with the Georgia child care plan, for federal block grant funds available to Georgia under the federal act.
2. The department shall, in accordance with the policies, rules, and regulations promulgated by the board:
   1. In conjunction with the lead agency, provide a mechanism for the planning and coordination of child care programs at the state and local levels;
   2. Plan and implement activities that are designed to provide comprehensive consumer education to parents and the public, activities that increase parental choice, activities designed to improve the quality, availability, and affordability of child care, and other activities which meet the requirements of the federal act;
   3. Recommend to the lead agency measures to improve the quality, availability, and affordability of child care in this state;
   4. In conjunction with the lead agency, inventory and monitor the disbursement and make recommendations as to the coordination of the disbursement of all state and federal funding streams that impact the supply, quality, and affordability of child care funds expended by the department;
   5. Develop an annual Georgia report on child care, reporting child care statistics, and, in conjunction with the lead agency, an evaluation of the state planning process related to quality initiatives;
   6. Serve as the state clearing-house for information on child care resources and statistics by working with the child care resource and referral agencies;
   7. Provide child care information to corporations and businesses seeking to locate in Georgia;
   8. Promote public-private sector collaboration for child care;
   9. Recommend to the Governor and to the General Assembly policies, legislation, and funding that will promote the work of the department and the realization of the Georgia child care plan and to promote quality, affordable, and accessible child care for Georgia's children;
   10. Promote consumer education to parents to help in the selection of child care, including the expansion of the child care resource and referral agencies; and
   11. Develop a plan for application and distribution, including any necessary requests for proposals, in accordance with the Georgia child care plan, for federal block grant funds available to Georgia under the federal act.

(Code 1981, §49-5-244, enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1648, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 97, § 49; Ga. L. 2004, p. 645, §§ 2, 3; Ga. L. 2005, p. 60, § 20/HB 95.)