(1) It is the intent of the General Assembly to create a seamless system to upgrade the professional development of persons who are employed or provide training in a child-care or early childhood setting through scholarships, merit awards, and monetary incentives, to assist these persons in obtaining a child development associate credential, post-secondary certificate, diploma, degree, or specialty credential in an area of study determined by the Early Childhood Advisory Council.
(2) Eligibility for scholarship funds shall be for individuals who do not have access to professional development funds from other education programs that receive state or federal funds, and who are:
(a) Employed at least twenty (20) hours per week providing services in a child- care or early childhood setting; or (b) Involved in providing professional development training for teachers in an early childhood setting.
(3) The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, after consultation with the Early Childhood Advisory Council and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, shall promulgate administrative regulations, including a system of monetary incentives for scholarship program participants for completing classes, in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A as necessary to implement this section.