§9410 State Requirements

Summary

States must meet several rules to get grants under this law. They must make sure the grant money goes through the state legislature’s budget process. They must pick one Lead State Agency to run and watch over the grant and to coordinate early learning programs. They must apply to the federal Secretary with the required forms and information. They must give out funds by competitive award across rural, urban, and suburban areas. They must also help the Secretary create ways to check that local councils follow the rules. When giving money to local councils, states must try to fund a wide mix of early learning programs that cover different ages. States should favor local councils in areas of greatest need and councils that can increase collaboration to use resources better. Local councils must favor projects that work with others, provide services across the child age range, and help parents or caregivers support early learning. Every two years the state must assess needs and resources, set measurable goals, fund only work that fits those goals, report progress to the Secretary each year, and, if not making progress, submit and carry out an improvement plan to keep funding.