(1) The Office of Adult Education is created within the Department of Workforce Development in the Education and Labor Cabinet to carry out the statewide adult education mission. The office shall implement a twenty (20) year state strategy to reduce the number of adults who are at the lowest levels of literacy and most in need of adult education and literacy services. The office shall have responsibility for all functions related to adult education and literacy. The office shall:
(a) Promote coordination of programs and responsibilities linked to the issue of adult education with other agencies and institutions;
(b) Facilitate the development of strategies to increase the knowledge and skills of adults in all counties by promoting the efficient and effective coordination of all available education and training resources;
(c) Lead a statewide public information and marketing campaign to convey the critical nature of Kentucky's adult literacy challenge and to reach adults and employers with practical information about available education and training opportunities;
(d) Establish standards for adult literacy and monitor progress in achieving the state's adult literacy goals, including existing standards that may have been developed to meet requirements of federal law in conjunction with the statewide reading research center established under KRS 164.0207; and (e) Administer the adult education and literacy initiative fund created under KRS 151B.409.
(2) The Office of Adult Education shall be organized in a manner as directed by the secretary of the Education and Labor Cabinet. The office shall be headed by an executive director appointed by the secretary of the Education and Labor Cabinet.
(3) The Office of Adult Education shall be the agency solely designated for the purpose of developing and approving state plans required by state or federal laws or regulations.