279.51 Programs for at-risk children.

1. There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department of education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, and each succeeding fiscal year, the sum of twelve million six hundred six thousand one hundred ninety-six dollars. The moneys shall be allocated as follows:

a. Two hundred seventy-five thousand eight hundred sixty-four dollars of the funds appropriated shall be allocated to the area education agencies to assist school districts in developing program plans and budgets under this section and to assist school districts in meeting other responsibilities in early childhood education.

b. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, and for each succeeding fiscal year, eight million five hundred thirty-six thousand seven hundred forty dollars of the funds appropriated shall be allocated to the child development coordinating council established in chapter 256A for the purposes set out in subsection 2 of this section and section 256A.3.

c. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, and for each fiscal year thereafter, three million five hundred ten thousand nine hundred ninety-two dollars of the funds appropriated shall be allocated as grants to school districts that have elementary schools that demonstrate the greatest need for programs for at-risk students with preference given to innovative programs for the early elementary school years. School districts receiving grants under this paragraph shall at a minimum provide activities and materials designed to encourage children’s self-esteem, provide role modeling and mentoring techniques in social competence and social skills, and discourage inappropriate drug use. The grant allocations made in this paragraph may be renewed for additional periods of time. Of the amount allocated under this paragraph for each fiscal year, seventy-five thousand dollars shall be allocated to school districts which have an actual student population of ten thousand or less and have an actual non-English speaking student population which represents greater than five percent of the total actual student population for grants to elementary schools in those districts.

d. Notwithstanding section 256A.3, subsection 6, of the amount appropriated in this subsection for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, and for each succeeding fiscal year, up to two hundred eighty-two thousand six hundred dollars may be used for administrative costs.

2. a. Funds allocated under subsection 1, paragraph “b”, shall be used by the child development coordinating council for the following:

(1) To continue funding for programs previously funded by grants awarded under section 256A.3 and to provide additional grants under section 256A.3. The council shall seek to provide grants on the basis of the location within the state of children meeting at-risk definitions.

(2) At the discretion of the child development coordinating council, award grants for the following:

(a) To school districts to establish programs for three-year-old, four-year-old, and five-year-old at-risk children which are a combination of preschool and full-day kindergarten.

(b) To provide grants to provide educational support services to parents of at-risk children age birth through three years.

b. A grantee under this subsection may direct the use of moneys received to serve any qualifying child ranging in age from three years old to five years old, regardless of the age of population indicated on the grant request in its initial year of application. A grantee is encouraged to consider the degree to which the program complements existing programs and services for three-year-old, four-year-old, and five-year-old at-risk children available in the area, including other child care and preschool services, services provided through a school district, and services available through an area education agency.

3. The department shall seek assistance from foundations and public and private agencies in the evaluation of the programs funded under this section, and in the provision of support to school districts in developing and implementing the programs funded under this section.

4. The state board of education shall adopt rules under chapter 17A for the administration of this section.

89 Acts, ch 135, §76; 90 Acts, ch 1272, §69, 70; 91 Acts, ch 267, §239, 240; 92 Acts, ch 1227, §21; 94 Acts, ch 1199, §47 – 49; 95 Acts, ch 209, §14; 96 Acts, ch 1186, §23; 96 Acts, ch 1219, §7 – 10; 97 Acts, ch 209, §17, 18; 98 Acts, ch 1133, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1215, §44; 98 Acts, ch 1223, §24, 25; 99 Acts, ch 192, §33; 99 Acts, ch 195, §11, 12; 2000 Acts, ch 1058, §32; 2000 Acts, ch 1198, §2 – 4, 6; 2007 Acts, ch 215, §62; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §100; 2011 Acts, ch 132, §18, 106

Referred to in §256A.3

Reduction in appropriations contained in this section for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2017, and ending June 30, 2019; 2017 Acts, ch 172, §6, 51; 2018 Acts, ch 1163, §5