(a) The department shall design and implement a statewide parents as teachers program for the benefit of children who are under five years of age. The program must provide a system of early childhood education that (1) is evidence-based;
(2) involves parents;
(3) is consistent with available research and best practices for high quality early childhood education;
(4) incorporates guidelines adopted by the department for early learning that (A) enhance school readiness;
(B) increase parent understanding of child development and developmental milestones;
(C) reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect;
(D) increase identification of health problems and developmental delays through regular screenings;
(E) improve child health indicators, including immunization rates; and
(F) increase parental involvement; and
(5) provides for effective and efficient coordination with or expansion of early education programs operating in the state, to the extent permitted by law.
(b) A school district shall, to the extent space is needed and available, provide for the use of a room in a school at no charge to support the program established under this section.
(c) The department shall develop and enter into local partnerships to implement the program established under this section.