26B-1-422. Early Childhood Utah Advisory Council -- Creation -- Compensation -- Duties.

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Effective 5/1/2024

(1)As used in this section:

(a)"Early childhood" refers to a child in the state who is eight years old or younger; and

(b)"State superintendent" means the state superintendent of public instruction appointed under Section 53E-3-301 .

(2)There is created the Early Childhood Utah Advisory Council.

(a)The department shall:

(i)make rules establishing the membership, duties, and procedures of the council in accordance with the requirements of:

(A)this section;

(B)the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9837b; and

(C)Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and

(ii)provide necessary administrative and staff support to the council.

(b)A member of the council may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service.

(4)The duties of the council include:

(a)improving and coordinating the quality of programs and services for children in accordance with the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9837b;

(b)supporting Utah parents and families by providing comprehensive and accurate information regarding the availability of voluntary services for children in early childhood from state agencies and other private and public entities;

(c)facilitating improved coordination between state agencies and community partners that provide services to children in early childhood;

(d)sharing and analyzing information regarding early childhood issues in the state;

(e)providing recommendations to the department, the Department of Workforce Services, and the State Board of Education regarding a comprehensive delivery system of services for children in early childhood that addresses the following four areas:

(i)family support and safety;

(ii)health and development;

(iii)early learning; and

(iv)economic development; and

(f)identifying opportunities for and barriers to the alignment of standards, rules, policies, and procedures across programs and agencies that support children in early childhood.

(5)To fulfill the duties described in Subsection (4), the council shall:

(a)directly engage with parents, families, community members, and public and private service providers to identify and address:

(i)the quality, effectiveness, and availability of existing services for children in early childhood and the coordination of those services;

(ii)gaps and barriers to entry in the provision of services for children in early childhood; and

(iii)community-based solutions in improving the quality, effectiveness, and availability of services for children in early childhood;

(b)seek regular and ongoing feedback from a wide range of entities and individuals that use or provide services for children in early childhood, including entities and individuals that use, represent, or provide services for any of the following:

(i)children in early childhood who live in urban, suburban, or rural areas of the state;

(ii)children in early childhood with varying socioeconomic backgrounds;

(iii)children in early childhood with varying ethnic or racial heritages;

(iv)children in early childhood from various geographic areas of the state; and

(v)children in early childhood with special needs;

(c)study, evaluate, and report on the status and effectiveness of policies, procedures, and programs that provide services to children in early childhood;

(d)study and evaluate the effectiveness of policies, procedures, and programs implemented by other states and nongovernmental entities that address the needs of children in early childhood;

(e)identify policies, procedures, and programs that are impeding efforts to help children in early childhood in the state and recommend changes to those policies, procedures, and programs;

(f)identify policies, procedures, and programs related to children in early childhood in the state that are inefficient or duplicative and recommend changes to those policies, procedures, and programs;

(g)recommend policy, procedure, and program changes to address the needs of children in early childhood;

(h)develop methods for using interagency information to inform comprehensive policy and budget decisions relating to early childhood services; and

(i)develop strategies and monitor efforts concerning:

(i)increasing school readiness;

(ii)improving access to early child care and early education programs; and

(iii)improving family and community engagement in early childhood education and development.

(6)In fulfilling the council's duties, the council may request and receive, from any state or local governmental agency or institution, information relating to early childhood, including reports, audits, projections, and statistics.

(7)On or before August 1, 2024, and at least every five years thereafter, the council shall provide to the executive director, the executive director of the Department of Workforce Services, and the state superintendent a statewide needs assessment concerning the quality and availability of early childhood education, health, and development programs and services for children in early childhood.

Amended by Chapter 250 , 2024 General Session