Section 1. Family eligibility [for early learning scholarship]. Extends the definition of “eligible child” to all children who are not yet five years old on September 1 of the current school year. Strikes other text made obsolete by the eligibility extension. Makes this section effective July 1, 2018.
Sec. 2. Administration [of the early learning scholarship program]. Requires the commissioner to allocate half of the funds available for scholarships to eligible children from birth to age two, to the extent practicable. Makes this section effective July 1, 2018.
Sec. 3. Targeted home visiting grant program for high-risk populations.
Subdivision 1. Establishment. Directs the commissioner of health to establish a program to provide targeted home visiting services. Directs the commissioner to promote collaborative partnerships and designate grants fund for capacity-building activities. Provides a definition for “high-risk population.”
Subd. 2. Grants. Directs the commissioner to award grants to entities that have been operating a targeted home visiting program for at least two years. Gives priority to entities that do not receive funds under section 145A.17 or from other state sources. Requires that grant funds be used to improve child and family health and wellbeing, school readiness, and maternal outcomes.
Subd. 3. Outcome and performance measures. Directs the commissioner to establish performance measures for funded programs.
Subd. 4. Supplemental funds. Requires that grant funds supplement, not supplant, state or federal funds for the same purpose.
Sec. 4. Early learning scholarships [appropriation]. Appropriates money for early learning scholarships in fiscal year 2019. Directs that a portion of the appropriation be transferred to the commissioner of human services for the quality rating and improvement system (QRIS).
Sec. 5. Appropriation. Appropriates money in fiscal year 2019 for the targeted home visiting grant program.
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