§ 10-550h — (Note: This section is effective July 1, 2025.) Early Start CT. State-funded competitive program.

As part of Early Start CT, the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall establish a state-funded competitive program in which contracts are entered into with nonprofit agencies and local and regional boards of education, which are federal Head Start grant recipients, to assist in (1) establishing extended-day and full-day, year-round, Head Start programs or expanding existing Head Start programs to extended-day or full-day, year-round programs, (2) enhancing program quality, (3) increasing the number of children served in those programs that are both Head Start and Early Head Start grant recipients or delegates, (4) increasing the number of Early Head Start children served above those who are federally funded, and (5) increasing the hours for children currently receiving Early Head Start services. Nonprofit agencies or boards of education seeking contracts pursuant to this section shall make application to the commissioner on such forms and at such times as the commissioner shall prescribe. The commissioner shall include contract provisions that mandate at least twenty-five per cent of the funding for such contracts shall be for the purpose of enhancing program quality. All contracts entered into under this section shall be funded within the limits of available appropriations or otherwise from federal funds and private donations. All Head Start programs funded pursuant to this section shall be in compliance with federal Head Start program performance standards.

Legislative History

(P.A. 24-78, S. 32.) History: P.A. 24-78 effective July 1, 2025 (Revisor's note: Subsec. (a) designator, which appeared in the engrossed bill, was removed editorially by the Revisors for accuracy and consistency with customary usage).