8-1192. Powers and duties

(Caution: 1998 Prop. 105 applies)

A. The early childhood development and health board shall:

1. Conduct a biannual assessment of existing early childhood development and health programs in the state of Arizona, including an analysis of any unmet early childhood development and health needs of Arizona children; utilization of available federal, state and private funds; suggestions for improved program coordination; and outcomes for children and families. The board shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before December 15 of every odd-numbered year beginning in 2007 and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state and the director of the Arizona state library, archives and public records. The report shall be distributed in accordance with section 41-4153.

2. Review and approve the biannual regional needs and assets assessments prepared pursuant to section 8-1161.

3. Administer the distribution of funds from the early childhood development and health fund established by section 8-1181 for programs and grants in accordance with the provisions of sections 8-1161 and 8-1173.

4. Prepare an annual report describing the activities of the board, including a description of funds distributed and spent pursuant to sections 8-1161, 8-1173 and 8-1192 and a description of the outcomes for children and families achieved by the board, the regional partnership councils, and the grant recipients. The board shall submit the report to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before September 15 of each year, beginning in 2008, and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state and the director of the Arizona state library, archives and public records. The report shall be distributed in accordance with section 41-4153.

5. Solicit private funds from individuals, corporations and foundations to support improving quality of and access to early childhood development and health opportunities for Arizona children. Solicited funds shall be deposited into the private gifts account of the early childhood development and health fund pursuant to section 8-1182 and may be spent on statewide or regional grants or direct programs.

6. Keep a record of its own proceedings.

7. Adopt procedures for its meetings and elect officers.

8. Coordinate with other agencies involved with early childhood development and health issues.

B. The early childhood development and health board may:

1. Authorize expenditure of funds from the early childhood development and health fund established by section 8-1181 for programs and services to enhance the quality of or access to early childhood development and health opportunities for Arizona children. These funds may be used to operate programs and services provided directly by the board, to fund statewide grant programs, or to fund regional or local grants to test innovative early childhood development and health programs.

2. Authorize expenditure of funds from the grant monies and private gifts accounts for programs and services to enhance the quality of or access to early childhood development and health opportunities for Arizona children.

3. Adopt rules pursuant to title 41, chapter 6 to carry out this chapter.

4. Contract with any private party and enter into interagency and intergovernmental agreements pursuant to title 11, chapter 7, article 3 with any public agency.

5. Sue and be sued.

6. Hire staff and consultants, including legal counsel.