Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 329 § 329.172 — Preschool Promise Program; grants and contracts; report

Preschool Promise Program; grants and contracts; report. (1)(a) The Preschool Promise Program is established. The Department of Early Learning and Care shall administer the Preschool Promise Program as provided by this section. The Preschool Promise Program shall expand preschool options available to the children of this state. (b) In administering the Preschool Promise Program, the Department of Early Learning and Care shall identify local entities as provided under subsection (3) of this section within the region served by each Early Learning Hub to serve as a preschool provider that meets the eligibility criteria established under subsections (4) and (5) of this section. (2) For the purpose of expanding and coordinating preschool options under the Preschool Promise Program, Early Learning Hubs shall: (a) Once every two years, in consultation with resource and referral entities established under ORS 329A.100 to 329A.135, complete a community plan. The community plan must include the following for the region served by the Early Learning Hub: (A) Identification of priority populations of children and families to enroll in the program; (B) Assessment of the availability of high-quality preschool programs; (C) Identification of existing preschool providers and opportunities to increase the number and enrollment capacity of preschool providers; (D) Prioritization of local entities to serve as preschool providers based on community need and enrollment capacity; (E) Identification of methods for increasing the enrollment capacity of preschool providers and for providing professional development to preschool providers; and (F) Identification of other services related to preschool programs. (b) After completing a community plan described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Early Learning Hub shall submit the plan to the department for approval based on rules adopted by the Early Learning Council. (c) Based on the results of the most recent community plan, annually coordinate and collaborate with preschool providers to: (A) Determine the preschool program that best meets the needs of eligible children and their families within the Early Learning Hub; and (B) Enroll eligible children in preschool programs. (3) A local entity may apply to the department to be awarded grants or contracts to be a preschool provider under this section if the local entity is: (a) An Early Learning Hub designated under ORS 417.827; (b) A resource and referral entity established under ORS 329A.100 to 329A.135; (c) An education service district; (d) A school district; (e) A federal Head Start program; (f) A community-based organization; or (g) Another entity identified by the department. (4) A preschool provider that meets the requirements of this subsection may apply to participate in the Preschool Promise Program to receive grants or contracts under the program. The preschool provider: (a) Must be establishing a new preschool program or expanding an existing preschool program. (b) Must meet or exceed the requirements of subsection (5) of this section. (c) May be a federal Head Start program, a provider under the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten Program, a child care provider, a relief nursery, a private preschool, a public school, a public charter school, an education service district or a community-based organization that provides a preschool program. (5) A preschool provider may participate in the Preschool Promise Program if the provider’s preschool program: (a) Provides, at a minimum, the annual number of instructional hours required for full-day kindergarten. (b) Takes into consideration the scheduling needs of families who need full-time child care. (c) Serves children who: (A) Are at least three years of age but not older than five years of age, as determined by the date used to determine kindergarten eligibility; and (B)(i) Are members of families whose incomes, at the time of enrollment, are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; or (ii) Otherwise meet criteria established by the Early Learning Council by rule. (d) Provides continuity from infant and toddler services to early elementary grades. (e) Demonstrates an ability to maximize available federal, state and local funds. (f) Demonstrates an ability to meet quality standards adopted by the Early Learning Council, including: (A) Participating in the quality recognition and improvement system for early childhood programs as established by ORS 329A.261. (B) Adopting culturally responsive teaching methods and practices. (C) Providing a high-quality, culturally responsive family engagement environment that supports parents as partners in a child’s learning and development. (D) Providing high-quality, culturally responsive curricula, assessments and professional development that are linked to one another and to the state’s comprehensive early learning standards. (E) Providing a classr