1999

SENATE BILL 99-226

BY SENATORS Lacy, Owen, Tanner, Hernandez, Linkhart, Pascoe, Rupert, and Weddig;

also REPRESENTATIVES Tool, Berry, Saliman, Alexander, Bacon, George, and S. Williams.

SECTION 1.  The introductory portion to 26-6.5-103 (3), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended, and the said 26-6.5-103 is further amended BY THE ADDITION OF THE FOLLOWING NEW SUBSECTIONS, to read:

26-6.5-103.  Program scope. (3)  On or before October 1, 1997, the state department of human services, with input from the state department of education, shall designate not more than twelve pilot site agencies to deliver community consolidated child care services for up to two thousand children statewide. Of the pilot site agencies designated, not more than two may be located in the Denver metropolitan area and at least one shall be located in each of the following areas of the state to assure adequate geographic distribution: A rural community, an urban community other than the Denver metropolitan area, and a western slope community. The pilot site agencies shall:

(4) (a)  On or before July 1, 1999, the state department of human services, with input from the state department of education, shall develop a request for proposals to be distributed to the governing bodies of municipalities, counties, and school districts throughout the state seeking six additional pilot site agencies to deliver community consolidated child care services pursuant to this article.

(b)  The purpose of increasing the number of community consolidated child care pilots from twelve to eighteen is to further enhance the ability of the state department of human services to identify the best practices relative to increasing quality, meeting the diverse needs of families seeking such child care, and integrating early childhood care with education programs in order to effect improvements in child care services on a statewide basis.

(c)  Six pilot site agencies designated pursuant to subsection (3) of this section shall be selected by the state department of human services to serve as mentors to the new pilot site agencies selected pursuant to this subsection (4).

(5)  On or after July 1, 2000, the state department of human services, with input from the department of education, is authorized to develop a request for proposals to be distributed to the governing bodies of municipalities, counties, and school districts throughout the state to add additional pilot site agencies, as deemed appropriate by the state department, to deliver community consolidated child care services pursuant to this article.

(6) (a) (I)  Each agency seeking to be designated as a pilot site agency pursuant to subsections (4) and (5) of this section shall identify in its application the number of children to whom it anticipates providing consolidated child care services pursuant to this section.

(II)  Each pilot site agency designated pursuant to subsections (3), (4), and (5) of this section shall report annually to the department of human services and to the department of education the number of children who received consolidated child care services pursuant to this article through that pilot site agency.

(b)  Each of the eighteen, or more as determined by the state department, pilot site agencies shall be reviewed on an annual basis in order to determine the need for continued pilot designation and to establish contracts or agreements, as needed, or to renegotiate such contracts or agreements.

SECTION 2.  26-6.5-104, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBSECTION to read:

26-6.5-104.  Funding. (4)  It is the intent of the general assembly that no additional state moneys be appropriated for the implementation of the pilot program for community consolidated child care services on or after July 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  26-6.5-105, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBSECTION to read:

26-6.5-105.  Evaluation. (3) (a)  The state department of human services shall, through a request for proposals process, contract with a qualified individual or entity to prepare an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine its effectiveness in serving children in community consolidated child care programs. Such evaluation shall be completed no later than October 1, 2001.

(b)  The evaluation shall include the following:

(I)  An evaluation of the impact of waivers issued pursuant to section 26-6.5-104 (3);

(II)  Recommendations regarding changes to statewide practices set forth in the rules of the state board of human services based upon the results observed in pilot sites where early childhood care was integrated with education; and

(III)  An evaluation of the measurable impact of integration of early childhood care with education on the overall quality of child care programs in Colorado.

SECTION 4.  24-32-2804 (7) (a), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

24-32-2804.  Early education and school readiness program - repeal. (7)  Selection criteria. The board shall develop an equitable formula for distribution of grants pursuant to the provisions of this section that allows a jurisdiction to receive a preference if the jurisdiction can demonstrate:

(a)  Coordination with one of the twelve eighteen pilot sites for consolidated child care services created pursuant to article 6.5 of title 26, C.R.S.; or

SECTION 5.  Appropriation. In addition to any other appropriation, there is hereby appropriated, out of any federal child care development funds not otherwise appropriated, to the department of human services, division of children, youth and families, for the pilot program for community consolidated child care services, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999, the sum of four hundred seventy thousand dollars ($470,000), or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation of this act.

SECTION 6.  Effective date. This act shall take effect July 1, 1999.

SECTION 7.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.

____________________________ ____________________________

Ray Powers Russell George

PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES

____________________________ ____________________________

Patricia K. Dicks Judith M. Rodrigue

SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE

THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED________________________________________

_________________________________________

Bill Owens

GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO