N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-168.10

History

(1993, c. 321, s. 254(a); 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a).)

Smart Start Performance Audit. - Session Laws 1997-443, s. 11.55(b), provides: "Notwithstanding any provision of Part 10B of Article 3 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes or any other provision of law or policy, the Department of Human Resources and the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., jointly shall continue to implement the recommendations contained in the Smart Start Performance Audit prepared pursuant to Section 27A(1)b. of Chapter 324 of the 1995 Session Laws, as modified by Section 24.29 of Chapter 18 of the Session Laws, Second Extra Session 1996. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall continue to report quarterly to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on its progress toward full implementation of the modified audit recommendations."

"More at Four" Prekindergarten Program. - Session Laws 2005-276, s. 10.67(b)-(f), as amended by Session Laws 2006-66, s. 7.18(b)-(h), provides: "(b) The Department of Public Instruction shall continue the implementation of the 'More at Four' prekindergarten program for at-risk four-year-olds who are at risk of failure in kindergarten. The program is available statewide to all counties that choose to participate, including underserved areas. The goal of the program is to provide quality prekindergarten services to a greater number of at-risk children in order to enhance kindergarten readiness for these children. The program shall be consistent with standards and assessments established jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction. The program shall include:

"(1) A process and system for identifying children at risk of academic failure.

"(2) A process and system for identifying children who are not being served in formal early education programs, such as child care, public or private preschools, Head Start, Early Head Start, early intervention programs, or other such programs, who demonstrate educational needs, and who are eligible to enter kindergarten the next school year, as well as children who are underserved.

"(3) A curriculum or several curricula that are research-based and/or built on sound instructional theory. These curricula shall: (i) focus primarily on oral language and emergent literacy; (ii) engage children through key experiences and provide background knowledge requisite for formal learning and successful reading in the early elementary years; (iii) involve active learning; (iv) promote measurable kindergarten language-readiness skills that focus on emergent literacy and mathematical skills; and (v) develop skills that will prepare children emotionally and socially for kindergarten.

"(4) An emphasis on ongoing family involvement with the prekindergarten program.

"(5) Evaluation of child progress through a statewide evaluation, as well as ongoing assessment of the children by teachers.

"(6) Guidelines for a system to reimburse local school boards and systems, private child care providers, and other entities willing to establish and provide prekindergarten programs to serve at-risk children.

"(7) A system built upon existing local school boards and systems, private child care providers, and other entities that demonstrate the ability to establish or expand prekindergarten capacity.

"(8) A quality-control system. Participating providers shall comply with standards and guidelines as established by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction. The Department may use the child care rating system to assist in determining program participation.

"(9) Standards for minimum teacher qualifications. A portion of the classroom sites initially funded shall have at least one teacher who is certified or provisionally certified in birth-to-kindergarten education.

"(10) A local contribution. Programs must demonstrate that they are accessing resources other than 'More at Four'.

"(11) A system of accountability.

"(12) Consideration of the reallocation of existing funds. In order to maximize current funding and resources, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction shall consider the reallocation of existing funds from State and local programs that provide prekindergarten-related care and services.

"(c) The Department of Public Instruction shall implement a plan to expand 'More at Four' program standards within existing resources to include four- and five-star-rated centers and schools serving four-year-olds and develop guidelines for these programs. The 'NC Prekindergarten Program Standards' initiative shall recognize four- and five-star-rated centers that choose to apply and meet equivalent 'More at Four' program standards as high quality pre-k classrooms. Classrooms meeting these standards shall, have access to training and workshops for 'More at Four' programs. Whenever expansion slots are available, these classrooms shall have first priority to receive them.

"The 'More at Four' program shall review the number of slots filled by counties on a monthly basis and shift the unfilled slots to counties with waiting lists. The shifting of slots shall occur through January 31 of each year, at which time any remaining funds for slots unfilled shall be used to meet the needs of the waiting list for subsidized child care.

"(d) The Department of Public Instruction shall submit a report by February 1, 2007, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, and the Fiscal Research Division. This final report shall include the following:

"(1) The number of children participating in the program.

"(2) The number of children participating in the program who have never been served in other early education programs, such as child care, public or private preschool, Head Start, Early Head Start, or early intervention programs.

"(3) The expected expenditures for the programs and the source of the local match for each grantee.

"(4) The location of program sites and the corresponding number of children participating in the program at each site.

"(5) A comprehensive cost analysis of the program, including the cost per child served by the program.

"(6) The status of the NC Prekindergarten initiatives as outlined in this section.

"(e) For the 2005-2006 and the 2006-2007 fiscal years, the 'More at Four' program shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if they have other designated risk factors.

"(f) The 'More at Four' program funding shall not supplant any funding for classrooms serving four-year-olds as of the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Support of existing four-year-old classrooms with 'More at Four' program funding shall be permitted when current funding is eliminated, reduced or redirected as required to meet other specified federal or State educational mandates."

"The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development, shall review and evaluate the early literacy project in Davie County and consider incorporation of this curriculum into the 'More at Four' program."

Session Laws 2007-323, s. 7.24(a)-(f), as amended by Session Laws 2008-107, s. 7.17(a) and (c), and as amended by Session Laws 2008-181, s. 49.1, provides: "(a) The Department of Public Instruction shall continue the implementation of the 'More at Four' prekindergarten program for at-risk four-year-olds who are at risk of failure in kindergarten. The program is available statewide to all counties that choose to participate, including underserved areas. The goal of the program is to provide quality prekindergarten services to a greater number of at-risk children in order to enhance kindergarten readiness for these children. The program shall be consistent with standards and assessments established jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction. The program shall include:

"(1) A process and system for identifying children at risk of academic failure.

"(2) A process and system for identifying children who are not being served in formal early education programs, such as child care, public or private preschools, Head Start, Early Head Start, early intervention programs, or other such programs, who demonstrate educational needs, and who are eligible to enter kindergarten the next school year, as well as children who are underserved.

"(3) A curriculum or several curricula that are research-based and/or built on sound instructional theory. These curricula shall: (i) focus primarily on oral language and emergent literacy; (ii) engage children through key experiences and provide background knowledge requisite for formal learning and successful reading in the early elementary years; (iii) involve active learning; (iv) promote measurable kindergarten language-readiness skills that focus on emergent literacy and mathematical skills; and (v) develop skills that will prepare children emotionally and socially for kindergarten.

"(4) An emphasis on ongoing family involvement with the prekindergarten program.

"(5) Evaluation of child progress through a statewide evaluation, as well as ongoing assessment of the children by teachers.

"(6) Guidelines for a system to reimburse local school boards and systems, private child care providers, and other entities willing to establish and provide prekindergarten programs to serve at-risk children.

"(7) A system built upon existing local school boards and systems, private child care providers, and other entities that demonstrate the ability to establish or expand prekindergarten capacity.

"(8) A quality-control system. Participating providers shall comply with standards and guidelines as established by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction. The Department may use the child care rating system to assist in determining program participation.

"(9) Standards for minimum teacher qualifications. A portion of the classroom sites initially funded shall have at least one teacher who is certified or provisionally certified in birth-to-kindergarten education.

"(10) A local contribution. Programs must demonstrate that they are accessing resources other than 'More at Four.'

"(11) A system of accountability to include a yearly review. The Department shall contract with an independent research organization to produce an annual report to include longitudinal review of the program and academic, behavioral, and other child-specific outcomes. The review shall also include a test of the feasibility of conducting a quasi experimental research design with a representative sample or samples of children who complete the More at Four program every year and children of comparable demographics and grade levels that do not participate in a More at Four program. The review shall be presented to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Education by January 31 of every year.

"(12) Consideration of the reallocation of existing funds. In order to maximize current funding and resources, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction shall consider the reallocation of existing funds from State and local programs that provide prekindergarten-related care and services.

"(b) The Department of Public Instruction shall implement a plan to expand 'More at Four' program standards within existing resources to include four- and five-star-rated centers and schools serving four-year-olds and develop guidelines for these programs. The 'NC Prekindergarten Program Standards' initiative shall recognize four- and five-star-rated centers that choose to apply and meet equivalent 'More at Four' program standards as high quality pre-k classrooms. Classrooms meeting these standards shall have access to training and workshops for 'More at Four' programs. Whenever expansion slots are available, these classrooms shall have first priority to receive them.

"The 'More at Four' program shall review the number of slots filled by counties on a monthly basis and shift the unfilled slots to counties with waiting lists. The shifting of slots shall occur through January 31 of each year, at which time any remaining funds for slots unfilled shall be used to meet the needs of the waiting list for subsidized child care.

"(c) The Department of Public Instruction shall submit a report by February 1, 2008, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, and the Fiscal Research Division. This final report shall include the following:

"(1) The number of children participating in the program.

"(2) The number of children participating in the program who have never been served in other early education programs, such as child care, public or private preschool, Head Start, Early Head Start, or early intervention programs.

"(3) The expected expenditures for the programs and the source of the local match for each grantee.

"(4) The location of program sites and the corresponding number of children participating in the program at each site.

"(5) A comprehensive cost analysis of the program, including the cost per child served by the program.

"(6) The status of the NC Prekindergarten initiatives as outlined in this section.

"(d) For the 2007-2008 and the 2008-2009 fiscal years, the 'More at Four' program shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if they have other designated risk factors. Furthermore, any age-eligible child of (i) an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by the proper authority within the last 18 months or expected to be ordered within the next 18 months, or (ii) a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty, shall be eligible for the program.

"(e) The 'More at Four' program funding shall not supplant any funding for classrooms serving four-year-olds as of the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Support of existing four-year-old classrooms with 'More at Four' program funding shall be permitted when current funding is eliminated, reduced, or redirected as required to meet other specified federal or State educational mandates.

"(f) If a county is unable to increase 'More at Four' slots because of a documented lack of available resources necessary to provide the required local contribution for the additional slots allocated to the county for the 2007-2008 fiscal year or the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the contract agency for that county may appeal to the Office of School Readiness for an exception to the required local amount for those additional slots. The Office of School Readiness may grant an exception and allot funds to pay up to ninety percent (90%) of the full cost of the additional slots for that county if it finds that (i) there is in fact a documented lack of available resources in the county and (ii) granting the exception will not reduce access statewide to 'More at Four' slots."

Transfer More at Four Program and Office of School Readiness to the Department of Public Instruction. - Session Laws 2006-66, s. 7.18(a), effective July 1, 2006, provides: "The More at Four program and the Office of School Readiness are transferred from the Office of the Governor to the Department of Public Instruction effective July 1, 2006. This transfer shall have all of the elements of a Type I transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A-6. The Office of School Readiness will provide oversight to the More at Four program and other related early childhood and prekindergarten education experiences. An Executive Director for the Office of School Readiness will be appointed by the State Board of Education."

Smart Start Funding Study. - Session Laws 2004-161, ss. 35.1 to 35.13, established the Smart Start Funding Study Commission.

Session Laws 2004-161, s. 35.4, provides: "Duties of Commission. - The Commission shall study the funding of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. In conducting the study, the Commission shall consider the following:

"(1) The current funding system of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.

"(2) Any strategies for achieving full funding and full service for North Carolina's young children and families.

"(3) Funding equity among all counties and local partnerships.

"(4) Any other information the Commission deems relevant."

Session Laws 2004-161, s. 35.12, provides: "Report. - The Commission shall make its findings and recommendations in a final report to the 2005 General Assembly. Upon the earlier of the filing of its final report or the convening of the 2005 General Assembly, the Commission shall terminate."

Session Laws 2005-276, s. 10.65(a) and (b), provides: "(a) The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall study its allocation of funds to local partnerships. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall study funding equity among all counties and local partnerships based on population, the number of children from birth to five years of age residing in the county region, economic indicators, and the quality of existing child care. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall develop strategies to alleviate the inequity of funds to local partnerships.

"(b) The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall report its findings and recommendations to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on or before March 1, 2006."

Office of School Readiness. - Session Laws 2005-276, s. 10.68(a)-(d), provides: "The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Instruction, and the Office of the Governor shall establish a study group to develop a plan for the creation of an Office of School Readiness. In conducting the study, the study group shall identify all State programs impacting children's readiness for school and the ways in which these State programs currently coordinate. The study shall include a survey of other states to determine organizational structures that exist to manage prekindergarten programs, child care licensure and regulation, and other early childhood-related programs. The study group shall also study the advantages or disadvantages of transferring the 'More at Four' program to the Department of Public Instruction or the Department of Health and Human Services and any advantages or disadvantages the transfer may have on children being served by the 'More at Four' program.

"After conducting the study, the study group shall develop a recommendation for the structure of North Carolina's prekindergarten and other early childhood-related programs and develop a plan for the implementation of these recommendations.

"Effective when this act becomes law, early childhood-related programs, including the 'More at Four' program, Head Start program, and child care licensure and regulation, shall remain in their current departments until the General Assembly approves the plan.

"The study group shall report the results of its study to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division by March 1, 2006."

Costs and Procedures for Early Childhood Education and Development Initiatives Enhancements. - Session Laws 2015-241, s. 12B.7, provides: "(a) Policies. - The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and its Board shall ensure policies focus on the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.'s mission of improving child care quality in North Carolina for children from birth to five years of age. North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.-funded activities shall include assisting child care facilities with (i) improving quality, including helping one-, two-, and three-star-rated facilities increase their star ratings, and (ii) implementing prekindergarten programs. State funding for local partnerships shall also be used for evidence-based or evidence-informed programs for children from birth to five years of age that do the following:

"(1) Increase children's literacy.

"(2) Increase the parents' ability to raise healthy, successful children.

"(3) Improve children's health.

"(4) Assist four- and five-star-rated facilities in improving and maintaining quality.

"(b) Administration. - Administrative costs shall be equivalent to, on an average statewide basis for all local partnerships, not more than eight percent (8%) of the total statewide allocation to all local partnerships. For purposes of this subsection, administrative costs shall include costs associated with partnership oversight, business and financial management, general accounting, human resources, budgeting, purchasing, contracting, and information systems management. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall continue using a single statewide contract management system that incorporates features of the required standard fiscal accountability plan described in G.S. 143B-168.12(a)(4). All local partnerships are required to participate in the contract management system and, directed by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., to collaborate, to the fullest extent possible, with other local partnerships to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

"(c) Salaries. - The salary schedule developed and implemented by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall set the maximum amount of State funds that may be used for the salary of the Executive Director of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and the directors of the local partnerships. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall base the schedule on the following criteria:

"(1) The population of the area serviced by a local partnership.

"(2) The amount of State funds administered.

"(3) The amount of total funds administered.

"(4) The professional experience of the individual to be compensated.

"(5) Any other relevant factors pertaining to salary, as determined by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.

"The salary schedule shall be used only to determine the maximum amount of State funds that may be used for compensation. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a local partnership from using non-State funds to supplement an individual's salary in excess of the amount set by the salary schedule established under this subsection.

"(d) Match Requirements. - The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and all local partnerships shall, in the aggregate, be required to match one hundred percent (100%) of the total amount budgeted for the program in each fiscal year of the 2015-2017 biennium. Of the funds the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and the local partnerships are required to match, contributions of cash shall be equal to at least twelve percent (12%) and in-kind donated resources shall be equal to no more than five percent (5%) for a total match requirement of seventeen percent (17%) for the 2015-2016 fiscal year; and contributions of cash shall be equal to at least thirteen percent (13%) and in-kind donated resources shall be equal to no more than six percent (6%) for a total match requirement of nineteen percent (19%) for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., may carry forward any amount in excess of the required match for a fiscal year in order to meet the match requirement of the succeeding fiscal year. Only in-kind contributions that are quantifiable shall be applied to the in-kind match requirement. Volunteer services may be treated as an in-kind contribution for the purpose of the match requirement of this subsection. Volunteer services that qualify as professional services shall be valued at the fair market value of those services. All other volunteer service hours shall be valued at the statewide average wage rate as calculated from data compiled by the Division of Employment Security of the Department of Commerce in the Employment and Wages in North Carolina Annual Report for the most recent period for which data are available. Expenses, including both those paid by cash and in-kind contributions, incurred by other participating non-State entities contracting with the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., or the local partnerships, also may be considered resources available to meet the required private match. In order to qualify to meet the required private match, the expenses shall:

"(1) Be verifiable from the contractor's records.

"(2) If in-kind, other than volunteer services, be quantifiable in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for nonprofit organizations.

"(3) Not include expenses funded by State funds.

"(4) Be supplemental to and not supplant preexisting resources for related program activities.

"(5) Be incurred as a direct result of the Early Childhood Initiatives Program and be necessary and reasonable for the proper and efficient accomplishment of the Program's objectives.

"(6) Be otherwise allowable under federal or State law.

"(7) Be required and described in the contractual agreements approved by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., or the local partnership.

"(8) Be reported to the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., or the local partnership by the contractor in the same manner as reimbursable expenses.

"Failure to obtain a seventeen-percent (17%) match by June 30 of the 2015-2016 fiscal year and a nineteen-percent (19%) match by June 30 of the 2016-2017 fiscal year shall result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the appropriation for the Program for a subsequent fiscal year. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall be responsible for compiling information on the private cash and in-kind contributions into a report that is submitted to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services in a format that allows verification by the Department of Revenue. The same match requirements shall apply to any expansion funds appropriated by the General Assembly.

"(e) Bidding. - The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., and all local partnerships shall use competitive bidding practices in contracting for goods and services on contract amounts as follows:

"(1) For amounts of five thousand dollars ($5,000) or less, the procedures specified by a written policy as developed by the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.

"(2) For amounts greater than five thousand dollars ($5,000), but less than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), three written quotes.

"(3) For amounts of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) or more, but less than forty thousand dollars ($40,000), a request for proposal process.

"(4) For amounts of forty thousand dollars ($40,000) or more, a request for proposal process and advertising in a major newspaper.

"(f) Allocations. - The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall not reduce the allocation for counties with less than 35,000 in population below the 2012-2013 funding level.

"(g) Performance-Based Evaluation. - The Department of Health and Human Services shall continue to implement the performance-based evaluation system.

"(h) Expenditure Restrictions. - The Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall ensure that the allocation of funds for Early Childhood Education and Development Initiatives for the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium shall be administered and distributed in the following manner:

"(1) Capital expenditures are prohibited for the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium. For the purposes of this section, 'capital expenditures' means expenditures for capital improvements as defined in G.S. 143C-1-1(d)(5).

"(2) Expenditures of State funds for advertising and promotional activities are prohibited for the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium.

"For the 2015-2017 fiscal biennium, local partnerships shall not spend any State funds on marketing campaigns, advertising, or any associated materials. Local partnerships may spend any private funds the local partnerships receive on those activities."

For prior similar provisions, see Session Laws 2001-424, s. 21.75(a)-(c), Session Laws 2004-284, s. 10.38(a)-(k), Session Laws 2005-276, s. 10.64(a)-(g), Session Laws 2007-323, s. 10.19(a)-(g), Session Laws 2009-451, s. 10.7(a)-(g), as amended by Session Laws 2010-31, s. 10.3; and Session Laws 2013-360, s. 12B.9(a)-(i), as amended by Session Laws 2014-100, s. 12B.2(a).

Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and Care. - Session Laws 2009-451, s. 10.7A(a)-(k), provides: "(a) Intent. - It is the intent of the General Assembly that not later than July 1, 2010, certain agencies and programs relating to early childhood education and care shall be consolidated.

"(b) Task Force Established. - There is established the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and Care (Task Force). The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction shall work with the Task Force to develop a Consolidation Plan (Plan) to implement the Plan as approved by the 2010 Regular Session of the 2009 General Assembly.

"(c) Task Force Membership. - Appointments to the Task Force shall be as follows:

"a. Three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"b. Three members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

"c. Three members appointed by the Governor.

"d. Any additional ad hoc members the Governor deems beneficial to achieve the goals of the Task Force.

"Appointments to the Task Force shall be made no later than September 1, 2009.

"Vacancies in the Task Force or a vacancy as chair of the Task Force resulting from the resignation of a member or otherwise shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

"(d) Duties of the Task Force. -

"(1) In consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction, develop a Plan for a highly coordinated and efficient system of early childhood education and care.

"(2) Not later than January 15, 2010, establish and appoint a transition team to implement the Plan approved by the General Assembly. The transition team shall be responsible for guiding the transition from the multiagency/multiprogram system now in place to a consolidated system and to ensure continuity and quality of existing services to young children, families, and early childhood programs and personnel.

"(3) Adhere to the following principles in the development and implementation of the Plan approved by the General Assembly:

"a. Ensuring high quality programs.

"b. Ensuring core functions remain intact.

"c. Maintaining the strengths and effectiveness of each program.

"d. Identifying and proposing efficiencies.

"e. Identifying needed improvements.

"f. Streamlining administrative savings.

"g. Promoting a seamless delivery of services from birth through kindergarten.

"h. Any other principles the Task Force deems relevant.

"(4) Consider the following agencies and functions for consolidation:

"a. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.

"b. The More at Four program.

"c. Title I Prekindergarten programs.

"d. Preschool Exceptional Children.

"e. Early Intervention programs.

"f. Head Start Collaboration.

"g. Child Care Regulatory and Subsidy.

"h. Licensing and Regulatory Functions.

"i. Workforce Professional Development and Recognition.

"j. Quality Initiatives.

"(5) Consult with appropriate State departments, agencies, and board representatives on issues related to early childhood education and care.

"(6) In developing the Plan, review and consider the proposal included in Ensuring School Readiness for North Carolina's Children: Bringing the Parts Together to Create an Integrated Early Care and Education System, November 2004.

"(e) Chair; Meetings. - The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each designate one member to serve as cochair of the Task Force.

"The cochairs shall call the initial meeting of the Task Force on or before October 1, 2009. The Task Force shall subsequently meet upon such notice and in such manner as its members determine. A majority of the members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum.

"(f) Expenses of Members. - Members of the Task Force shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, or 138-6, as appropriate.

"(g) Cooperation by Government Agencies. - The Task Force may call upon any department, agency, institution, or officer of the State or any political subdivision thereof for facilities, data, or other assistance.

"(h) Report. - The Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations by March 15, 2010, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Education, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education, and the Fiscal Research Division. The Task Force shall terminate upon filing its final report.

"(i) Proposal. - After reviewing the report submitted by the Task Force, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education shall develop language and a budget proposal by May 30, 2010, to present to the 2010 Regular Session of the 2009 General Assembly to implement the consolidation of early childhood education and care programs, which consolidation shall become effective July 1, 2010.

"(j) Funding. - The Legislative Services Officer shall allocate funds to carry out the duties of the Task Force.

"(k) Effective Date. - This section becomes effective July 1, 2009. Effective July 1, 2010, the Consolidation, as contained in the Plan approved by the 2010 Regular Session of the 2009 General Assembly, shall be implemented."

Session Laws 2010-152, ss. 27.1 through 27.3, provide: "SECTION 27.1. Committee Established. - There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on the Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and Care. The Committee shall consist of 18 members to be appointed as follows:

"(1) Five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"(2) Five members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

"(3) Seven ex-officio nonvoting members as follows:

"a. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

"b. The Chairman of the State Board of Education.

"c. The President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.

"d. The Executive Director of the Office of Early Learning at the Department of Public Instruction.

"e. The Director of the Head Start State Collaboration Office at the Office of Early Learning at the Department of Public Instruction.

"f. The President of the Child Care Services Association.

"g. The Executive Director of the North Carolina Licensed Child Care Association.

"(4) A developmental pediatrician appointed by the Governor as a nonvoting member.

"The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one Representative as cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one Senator as cochair. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority making the initial appointment.

"The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120-19 and G.S. 120-19.1 through G.S. 120-19.4. The Committee may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. The Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120-32.02.

"The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The House of Representatives and the Senate's Directors of Legislative Assistants shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5, or 138-6, as appropriate.

"SECTION 27.2. Duties. - The Committee shall continue the work of the Task Force on the Consolidation of Early Childhood Education and Care created under S.L. 2009-451 by continuing to work toward the development of an integrated system of early childhood education and care. To that end, the Committee may consult with and receive reports from the appropriate State departments, agencies, and board representatives on issues related to early childhood education and care and consider any other issues the Committee deems relevant.

"SECTION 27.3. Report. - The Commission may make a final report, including any proposed legislation, to the 2011 General Assembly upon its convening. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2011 General Assembly, whichever is earlier."

Continuation of More at Four Program. - Session Laws 2010-31, s. 7.5(a) and (b), provides: "(a) The Department of Public Instruction shall continue the implementation of the More at Four prekindergarten program for four-year-olds who are at risk for school failure in all counties. The State prekindergarten program shall serve children who reach the age of four on or before August 31 of that school year and who meet eligibility criteria that indicate a child's risk for school failure. Prekindergarten classrooms shall be operated in public schools, Head Start programs, and licensed child care facilities that choose to participate under procedures defined by the Office of Early Learning within the Department of Public Instruction. All such classrooms shall be subject to the supervision of the Office of Early Learning and shall be operated in accordance with standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

"(b) The Office of Early Learning shall specify program standards and requirements addressing:

"(1) Early learning standards and curricula;

"(2) Teacher education and specialized training;

"(3) Teacher in-service training and professional development;

"(4) Maximum class size;

"(5) Staff-child ratio;

"(6) Screenings, referrals, and support services;

"(7) Meals; and

"(8) Monitoring of sites to demonstrate adherence to State programs standards."

Session Laws 2010-31, s. 7.5(c) was codified as part of G.S. 115C-12 (25b).

Session Laws 2010-31, s. 7.5(d)-(f), provides: "(d) The Office of Early Learning shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if they have other designated risk factors. Furthermore, any age-eligible child of (i) an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by the proper authority within the last 18 months or expected to be ordered within the next 18 months or (ii) a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty, shall be eligible for the program.

"(e) The More at Four program funding shall not supplant any funding for classrooms serving four-year-olds as of the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Support of existing four-year-old classrooms with More at Four program funding shall be permitted when current funding is eliminated, reduced, or redirected as required to meet other specified federal or State mandates.

"(f) The Office of Early Learning shall develop a new More at Four funding model to be implemented in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The per-child funding rates shall be based on participating provider cost structures and shall require a contribution of local resources to support the full cost of providing high quality prekindergarten. The Office of Early Learning shall implement an administrative cap on More at Four program funding and shall establish parameters for allowable administrative costs."

Session Laws 2010-31, s. 7.5(g) was codified as part of G.S. 115C-12 (25b).

Session Laws 2010-31, s. 7.5(h) provides: "(h) To consolidate all of the regulatory functions regarding the monitoring of early care and education providers in certain private settings, it is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction authorize Division of Child Development staff to assume the regulatory functions of the More at Four program in private classroom settings. The Department of Public Instruction shall provide Division of Child Development staff with the training necessary to monitor compliance with the More at Four program. The Division of Child Development shall continue its current licensing functions for those classrooms voluntarily licensed in public settings."

For related reporting requirements by the State Board and the Office of Early Learning, see G.S. 115C-12 (25b).

Consolidation of More at Four Program into Division of Child Development. - Session Laws 2011-145, s. 10.7(a), as amended by Session Laws 2011-391, s. 22, provides: "The Department of Public Instruction, Office of Early Learning, and the Department of Health and Human Services are directed to consolidate the More At Four program into the Division of Child Development. The Division of Child Development is renamed the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). The DCDEE is directed to maintain the More At Four program's high programmatic standards and ensure services are provided statewide. The Department of Health and Human Services shall assume the functions of the regulation and monitoring system and payment and reimbursement system for the More At Four program.

"All regulation and monitoring functions shall begin July 1, 2011. The More At Four program shall be designated as 'prekindergarten' on the five-star rating scale. All references to 'prekindergarten' in this section shall refer to the program previously titled the 'More At Four' program. All references to 'non-prekindergarten' shall refer to all four- and five-star rated facilities.

"The Office of State Budget and Management shall transfer positions to the Department of Health and Human Services to assume the regulation, monitoring, and accounting functions within the Division of Child Development's Regulatory Services Section. This transfer shall have all the elements of a Type I transfer as defined in G.S. 143A-6. All funds transferred pursuant to this section shall be used for the funding of prekindergarten slots for four-year-olds and for the management of the program. The DCDEE shall use a portion of the funds to provide necessary services for recruitment, eligibility determination, and child placement within local communities. These services shall be conducted by local partnerships that choose to offer the services. The Department of Health and Human Services shall incorporate eight consultant positions into the regulation and accounting sections of DCDEE, eliminate the remaining positions, and use position elimination savings for the purpose of funding prekindergarten students. DCDEE may use funds from the transfer of the More At Four program for continuing the teacher mentoring program and contracting for the environmental rating scale assessments."

Session Laws 2011-145, s. 10.7(b), provides: "The Childcare Commission shall adopt rules for programmatic standards for regulation of prekindergarten classrooms. The Commission shall review and approve comprehensive, evidenced-based early childhood curricula with a reading component. These curricula shall be added to the currently approved 'More At Four' curricula."

Session Laws 2011-145, s. 10.7(d)-(j), as amended by Session Laws 2012-13, s. 2(a), (b), provides: "(d) The additional curricula approved and taught in prekindergarten classrooms shall also be taught in four- and five-star rated facilities in the non-prekindergarten four-year-old classrooms. The Child Care Commission shall increase standards in the four- and five-star-rated facilities for the purpose of placing an emphasis on early reading. The Commission shall require the four- and five-star-rated facilities to teach from the Commission's approved curricula. The Division of Child Development may use funds from the Child Care Development Fund Block Grant to assist with the purchase of curricula or adjust rates of reimbursements to cover increased costs.

"(e) The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall adopt a policy to encourage all prekindergarten classrooms to blend private pay families with prekindergarten subsidized children in the same manner that regular subsidy children are blended with private pay children. The Division may implement a waiver or transition period for the public classrooms.

"(f) The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if they have other designated risk factors. Furthermore, any age-eligible child who is a child of either of the following shall be eligible for the program: (i) an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who was ordered to active duty by the proper authority within the last 18 months or is expected to be ordered within the next 18 months or (ii) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty. Eligibility determinations for prekindergarten participants may continue through local education agencies and local North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., partnerships.

"(g) The Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) shall adopt policies that improve the quality of childcare for subsidized children. The DCDEE shall phase in a new policy in which child care subsidies will be paid, to the extent possible, for child care in the higher quality centers and homes only. The DCDEE shall define higher quality, and subsidy funds shall not be paid for one- or two-star-rated facilities. For those counties with an inadequate number of three-, four-, and five-star-rated facilities, the DCDEE shall establish a transition period that allows the facilities to continue to receive subsidy funds while the facilities work on the increased star ratings. The DCDEE may allow exemptions in counties where there is an inadequate number of three-, four-, and five-star-rated facilities for nonstar-rated programs, such as religious programs.

"(h) Repealed by Session Laws 2012-13, s. 2(b), effective June 11, 2012.

"(i) All prekindergarten classrooms regulated pursuant to this section shall be required to participate in the Subsidized Early Education for Kids (SEEK) accounting system to streamline the payment function for these classrooms with a goal of eliminating duplicative systems and streamlining the accounting and payment processes among the subsidy reimbursement systems. Prekindergarten funds transferred may be used to add these programs to SEEK.

"(j) Based on market analysis and within funds available, the Division of Child Development and Early Education shall establish reimbursement rates based on newly increased requirements of four- and five-star-rated facilities and the higher teacher standards within the prekindergarten class rooms, specifically More At Four teacher standards, when establishing the rates of reimbursements. Additionally, the prekindergarten curriculum day shall cover six and one-half to 10 hours daily and no less than 10 months per year. The public classrooms will have a one-year transition period to become licensed through the Division of Child Development and may continue to operate prekindergarten, formerly 'More At Four,' classrooms during the 2011-2012 fiscal year."

NC Pre-K Program. - Session Laws 2012-142, s. 10.1(a)-(c) and (d)-(f), provides: "(a) The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall require the NC Pre-K contractor to issue multiple-year contracts for licensed private child care centers providing NC Pre-K classrooms.

"(b) The Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division) shall create a pilot program that provides funding for NC Pre-K classrooms on a per classroom basis. The pilot program shall include three different NC Pre-K contractual regions that are geographically diverse. The local NC Pre-K administrator shall contract with the provider for operation of a classroom established pursuant to the pilot program. The Division shall report to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on the pilot program no later than January 31, 2013. The report shall include the following:

"(1) The number of students served.

"(2) The amount of funds paid for each classroom.

"(3) The amount of funds paid per student.

"(4) The attendance information on students in the pilot program as compared to those students in a classroom having a traditional funding structure.

"(5) Information on the number of students and students' families using the Subsidized Early Education for Kids (SEEK) system.

"(6) A cost comparison of the classroom pilots to the average cost per student through the per student funding methodology.

"(c) The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall continue the implementation of the NC Pre-K program. The NC Pre-K program shall serve children who reach the age of four on or before August 31 of that school year and who meet eligibility criteria.

"(d) Other than developmental disabilities or other chronic health issues, the Division of Child Development and Early Education shall not consider the health of a child as a factor in determining eligibility for participation in the NC Pre-K program.

"(e) All entities operating NC Pre-K classrooms shall adhere to all of the policies prescribed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education regarding programmatic standards and classroom requirements.

"(f) The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall establish a standard decision-making process to be used by local NC Pre-K committees in awarding NC Pre-K classroom slots and student selection."

Session Laws 2013-360, s. 12B.1(k), as added by Session Laws 2014-100, s. 12B.6, provides: "(k) The administration of the NC Pre-K program by local partnerships shall be subject to the biennial financial and compliance audits authorized under G.S. 143B 168.14(b)."

Session Laws 2013-360, s. 12B.1(a)-(g), provides: "(a) Eligibility. - The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, shall continue implementing the prekindergarten program (NC Pre-K). The NC Pre-K program shall serve children who are four years of age on or before August 31 of the program year. In determining eligibility, the Division shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if those children have other designated risk factors. Furthermore, any age-eligible child who is a child of either of the following shall be eligible for the program: (i) an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces who was ordered to active duty by the proper authority within the last 18 months or is expected to be ordered within the next 18 months or (ii) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces who was injured or killed while serving on active duty. Eligibility determinations for prekindergarten participants may continue through local education agencies and local North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., partnerships.

"Other than developmental disabilities or other chronic health issues, the Division shall not consider the health of a child as a factor in determining eligibility for participation in the NC Pre-K program.

"(b) Multiyear Contracts. - The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall require the NC Pre-K contractor to issue multiyear contracts for licensed private child care centers providing NC Pre-K classrooms.

"(c) Programmatic Standards. - All entities operating prekindergarten classrooms shall adhere to all of the policies prescribed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education regarding programmatic standards and classroom requirements.

"(d) NC Pre-K Committees. - The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall establish a standard decision-making process to be used by local NC Pre-K committees in awarding prekindergarten classroom slots and student selection.

"(e) SEEK. - All prekindergarten classrooms shall be required to participate in the Subsidized Early Education for Kids (SEEK) accounting system to streamline the payment function for these classrooms with a goal of eliminating duplicative systems and streamlining the accounting and payment processes among the subsidy reimbursement systems. Prekindergarten funds transferred may be used to add these programs to SEEK.

"(f) Pilot Program. - The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall create a pilot program that provides funding for NC Pre-K classrooms on a per classroom basis. The pilot program shall include three different NC Pre-K contractual regions that are geographically diverse. The local NC Pre-K administrator shall contract with the provider for operation of a classroom established pursuant to the pilot program. The Division shall provide a report on the status of the pilot program to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division no later than January 31, 2014. The report shall include the following:

"(1) The number of students served.

"(2) The amount of funds paid for each classroom.

"(3) The amount of funds paid per student.

"(4) The attendance information on students in the pilot program as compared to those students in a classroom having a traditional funding structure.

"(5) Information on the number of students and students' families using the Subsidized Early Education for Kids (SEEK) system.

"(6) A cost comparison of the classroom pilots to the average cost per student through the per student funding methodology.

"(g) Reporting. - The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall submit an annual report no later than March 15 of each year to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the Office of State Budget and Management, and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include the following:

"(1) The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program by county.

"(2) The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program who have never been served in other early education programs such as child care, public or private preschool, Head Start, Early Head Start, or early intervention programs.

"(3) The expected NC Pre-K expenditures for the programs and the source of the local contributions.

"(4) The results of an annual evaluation of the NC Pre-K program."

Session Laws 2015-241, s. 12B.1, as amended by Session Laws 2016-94, s. 12B.1, provides: "(a) Eligibility. - The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, shall continue implementing the prekindergarten program (NC Pre-K). The NC Pre-K program shall serve children who are four years of age on or before August 31 of the program year. In determining eligibility, the Division shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if those children have other designated risk factors. Furthermore, any age-eligible child who is a child of either of the following shall be eligible for the program: (i) an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces who was ordered to active duty by the proper authority within the last 18 months or is expected to be ordered within the next 18 months or (ii) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces who was injured or killed while serving on active duty. Eligibility determinations for prekindergarten participants may continue through local education agencies and local North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., partnerships.

"Other than developmental disabilities or other chronic health issues, the Division shall not consider the health of a child as a factor in determining eligibility for participation in the NC Pre-K program.

"(b) Multiyear Contracts. - The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall require the NC Pre-K contractor to issue multiyear contracts for licensed private child care centers providing NC Pre-K classrooms.

"(b1) Building Standards. - Notwithstanding G.S. 110-91(4), private child care facilities and public schools operating prekindergarten classrooms shall meet the building standards for preschool students as provided in G.S. 115C-521.1.

"(c) Programmatic Standards. - Except as provided in subsection (b1) of this section, entities operating prekindergarten classrooms shall adhere to all of the policies prescribed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education regarding programmatic standards and classroom requirements.

"(d) NC Pre-K Committees. - Local NC Pre-K committees shall use the standard decision-making process developed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education in awarding prekindergarten classroom slots and student selection.

"(e) Reporting. - The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall submit an annual report no later than March 15 of each year to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the Office of State Budget and Management, and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include the following:

"(1) The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program by county.

"(2) The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program who have never been served in other early education programs such as child care, public or private preschool, Head Start, Early Head Start, or early intervention programs.

"(3) The expected NC Pre-K expenditures for the programs and the source of the local contributions.

"(4) The results of an annual evaluation of the NC Pre-K program.

"(f) Audits. - The administration of the NC Pre-K program by local partnerships shall be subject to the financial and compliance audits authorized under G.S. 143B-168.14(b)."

Session Laws 2017-57, s. 11B.1(a)-(f), provides: "(a) Eligibility. - The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, shall continue implementing the prekindergarten program (NC Pre-K). The NC Pre-K program shall serve children who are four years of age on or before August 31 of the program year. In determining eligibility, the Division shall establish income eligibility requirements for the program not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the State median income. Up to twenty percent (20%) of children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of median income if those children have other designated risk factors. Furthermore, any age-eligible child who is a child of either of the following shall be eligible for the program: (i) an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces who was ordered to active duty by the proper authority within the last 18 months or is expected to be ordered within the next 18 months, or (ii) a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the North Carolina National Guard, State military forces, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces who was injured or killed while serving on active duty. Eligibility determinations for NC Pre-K participants may continue through local education agencies and local North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., partnerships.

"Other than developmental disabilities or other chronic health issues, the Division shall not consider the health of a child as a factor in determining eligibility for participation in the NC Pre-K program.

"(b) Multiyear Contracts. - The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall require the NC Pre-K contractor to issue multiyear contracts for licensed private child care centers providing NC Pre-K classrooms.

"(b1) Building Standards. - Notwithstanding G.S. 110-91(4), private child care facilities and public schools operating NC Pre-K classrooms shall meet the building standards for preschool students as provided in G.S. 115C-521.1.

"(c) Programmatic Standards. - Except as provided in subsection (b1) of this section, entities operating NC Pre-K classrooms shall adhere to all of the policies prescribed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education regarding programmatic standards and classroom requirements.

"(d) NC Pre-K Committees. - Local NC Pre-K committees shall use the standard decision-making process developed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education in awarding NC Pre-K classroom slots and student selection.

"(e) Reporting. - The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall submit an annual report no later than March 15 of each year to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the Office of State Budget and Management, and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include the following:

"(1) The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program by county.

"(2) The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program who have never been served in other early education programs such as child care, public or private preschool, Head Start, Early Head Start, or early intervention programs.

"(3) The expected NC Pre-K expenditures for the programs and the source of the local contributions.

"(4) The results of an annual evaluation of the NC Pre-K program.

"(f) Audits. - The administration of the NC Pre-K program by local partnerships shall be subject to the financial and compliance audits authorized under G.S. 143B-168.14(b)."

"Read NC" Early Literacy Initiative. - Session Laws 2012-142, s. 10.4(a)-(e), provides: "Of the funds appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, for the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., the sum of three million five hundred thousand dollars ($3,500,000) for the 2012-2013 fiscal year shall be used by the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., to develop and administer an early literacy initiative pilot program, to be known as 'Read NC,' hire four North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., development officers, and provide additional funds for rural partnerships; provided, however, the Department shall not expend the funds appropriated in this section for the 2012-2013 fiscal year until January 1, 2013, pending a determination by the Office of State Budget and Management that there is adequate funding for the Medicaid budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, as provided in Section 10.9G of this act. 'Read NC' will focus on increasing the early literacy skills of children who are most at risk for reading below grade level. The pilot program shall be distributed geographically to ensure adequate representation of the diverse areas of the State.

"(b) The focus of the pilot program will be to actively engage parents, child care teachers, and communities to help young children build a firm foundation for language acquisition and literacy skills. To that end, the pilot program shall do the following:

"(1) Educate parents in essential early literacy practices.

"(2) Increase the quality of early literacy programming in child care.

"(3) Increase early literacy opportunities for young children and families in community settings by incorporating the following programs:

"a. 'Reach Out and Read,' a program that supports doctors in their efforts to 'prescribe' reading to young children and families during well-child visits through early literacy guidance and book sharing, free books for children to keep, and literacy-rich waiting rooms.

"b. 'Raising a Reader' (RAR), a program that rotates bright red bags filled with award-winning books into children's homes on a weekly basis, exposing children on average to over 100 books per rotation cycle, and pairs this book rotation with parent training and information on how to effectively share books to promote family literacy habits, language and literacy skills, and a love of learning.

"c. 'Motheread/Fatheread,' a program that combines the teaching of literacy skills with child development and family empowerment issues.

"d. 'Dolly Parton Imagination Library,' a program that provides a free, age-appropriate book each month to children ages birth to five years.

"(c) The Division of Child Development and Early Education and the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall report by April 1, 2013, to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Committee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee on Health and Human Services, and the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services on the progress in complying with this section.

"(d) The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall include in its assistance to local partnerships training and assistance with fund-raising activities. Of the funds designated under subsection (a) of this section, the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall hire a staff of four individuals who are qualified in the areas of grant writing and fund-raising to assist local partnerships in raising the amount of non-State funds required by law. The staff hired pursuant to this subsection shall be located regionally and be accessible to participate in the various local partnerships' activities.

"(e) Of the funds designated under subsection (a) of this section, the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall provide assistance to local partnerships located in rural areas of the State. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall establish eligibility criteria for the use of funds pursuant to this subsection based on child poverty, child population, and counties that are identified as being the most economically distressed."

Preschool Program for At-Risk Children. - Session Laws 2012-77, s. 3, provides: "It is a goal of the General Assembly to provide preschool programs to all at-risk children."