(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Community resources” includes:
(i) Judy Centers;
(ii) Patty Centers;
(iii) Head Start Centers;
(iv) Maryland Infant and Toddlers Program providers; and
(v) Other community stakeholders that serve children facing developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral health issues.
(3) “Initially eligible child” means a child under the age of 6 years who is enrolled in:
(i) A family child care home or large family child care home, registered under Subtitle 3 of this title;
(ii) A child care center that, in accordance with Subtitle 4 of this title, is licensed, has a certificate of approval from the Department, or has been issued a letter of compliance; or
(iii) A publicly funded full–day prekindergarten program under Title 7, Subtitle 1A of this article.
(4) “Potentially eligible child” means a child who is at least 6 years old and is enrolled in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade.
(5) “Program” means the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Support Services Program.
(b) (1) There is an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Support Services Program.
(2) The Program shall be administered by the Department.
(c) The purpose of the Program is to promote positive mental and behavioral health practices for young children who may have developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral issues.
(d) (1) The Department may accept for enrollment in the Program:
(i) Referrals from child care providers; and
(ii) Self–referrals from families of initially eligible children.
(2) The Program shall aid children enrolled in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection by:
(i) Referring children and families in need of intensive mental or behavioral health services to appropriate clinics or programs;
(ii) Training, coaching, and mentoring teachers and caregivers to address challenging behaviors;
(iii) Building partnerships with community resources;
(iv) Working to ensure children have stable, quality child care programs; and
(v) Awarding grants to carry out the Program.
(e) In implementing the Program, the Department may designate specific regions in the State and create unique approaches in each designated region.
(f) For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $3,000,000 for the operation of the Program.
(g) The Department shall utilize additional available funding to support the Program.
(h) (1) (i) If the Program is able to serve all initially eligible children and has funds remaining for the Program, the Department shall consider potentially eligible children who may have developmental, social, emotional, or behavioral issues for enrollment in the Program.
(ii) The Department may accept for enrollment in the Program:
1. Referrals from child care providers; and
2. Self–referrals from families of potentially eligible children.
(2) The Program shall aid children enrolled in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection by:
(i) Referring children and families in need of intensive mental or behavioral health services to appropriate clinics or programs;
(ii) Training, coaching, and mentoring teachers and caregivers to address challenging behaviors;
(iii) Building partnerships with community resources; and
(iv) Awarding grants to carry out the Program.