75-7702. Responsibilities and functions of office; efficient use of funds by director; report to the legislature by director.

457 words·~2 min read·/ks/chapter-75/75-7702

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(a)The Kansas office of early childhood shall be responsible for:

(1)The implementation of child care policies, processes, procedures and funding with direction from the governor, the director of early childhood and the legislature;

(2)the implementation of policies, processes and awards granted through the children's cabinet, subject to appropriations and approval of the legislature;

(3)the provision of mediation, support and problem-solving resolutions through child care advocacy services;

(4)providing easily-accessible support to the public and persons providing and receiving child care services;

(5)ensuring access to information, services, resolution of issues, rules and regulations and funding in a user-friendly manner as prescribed by the director;

(6)serving as a central point of contact for federal and state agencies on child care services, funding and grants; and

(7)maximizing administrative efficiencies to reduce burdens on families and improve access to early childhood services.

(b)The director of early childhood shall ensure efficient use of funds for the provision of child care services and report such efficient use through the following:

(1)Maximizing funds for child care services, support programs and grant initiatives for efficiency and reducing administrative waste, fraud and abuse and ensuring greatest possible benefit to eligible families and providers;

(2)establishing clear performance metrics and accountability measures to ensure effective use of state and federal resources, including conducting regular audits, outcome-based evaluations and cost-efficiency reviews; and

(3)complying with all rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the requirements set forth in K.S.A. 39-709 , and amendments thereto.

(c)On or before January 20, 2026, and each year thereafter, the director shall submit a report to the Kansas legislature that includes:

(1)The allocation and expenditure of funds and resources;

(2)measurable outcomes of programs funded through the office, including, but not limited to, compliance to safety regulations and number of complaints received and resolved;

(3)identified inefficiencies within the office and system and the corrective action taken in response;

(4)recommendations for improving fiscal stewardship, service delivery, implementation of statutory requirement and any potential changes;

(5)updates on changes to rules and regulations;

(6)all data and metrics related to service rates for children and families, workforce and private actors, service delivery and fiscal efficiency of all programs and recommendations for continuation or termination of such programs; and

(7)any pilot program, including, but not limited to, the number of participating day care facilities or youth development programs and number of children attending such facilities or programs, provisions of statutes and regulations waived by the director, recommendations for changes to this act and a summary of findings from the pilot program based on available information.