A. The department shall solicit the delivery of both half-day and full-day early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services by publishing a request for proposals or a request for applications that contains the same requested information for pre-kindergarten services.
B. Eligible providers shall submit proposals to the department that shall include a description of the services that will be provided, including:
(1) how the provider's services meet department standards;
(2) the number of eligible children the provider can serve;
(3) the provider's site and floor plans and a description of its facilities;
(4) the revenue sources and non-state funding available for the provider's delivery of services;
(5) a description of the qualifications and experience of the provider's service-delivery staff for each site;
(6) the provider's plan for communicating with and involving parents of children in the early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs;
(7) how the provider's services meet the continuum of services to children; and
(8) other relevant information.
C. The department shall accept and evaluate proposals or applications for the delivery of early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services by eligible providers.
D. In selecting among proposals and applications for the delivery of early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services, the department shall give priority to programs in communities with public elementary schools designated as Title I schools in which at least sixty-six percent of the children served reside within the attendance zone of a Title I elementary school. It shall further consider:
(1) the number of eligible children residing in the community and the number of eligible children proposed to be served;
(2) the adequacy and capacity of pre-kindergarten facilities in the community;
(3) the availability of language and literacy services in the community;
(4) the cultural, historic and linguistic responsiveness to the community;
(5) the availability of parent education services for parents of eligible children in the community;
(6) staff professional development plans;
(7) the capacity of local organizations and persons interested in and involved in programs and services for eligible children and their commitment to work together;
(8) the degree of local support for early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services in the community; and
(9) other relevant criteria specified by department rule.
E. A contract with an eligible provider for early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services shall provide that funds not be used for any religious, sectarian or denominational purposes, instruction or material.