H1030 - 2016 Appropriations Act. (SL 2016-94)

Overview: Sec. 12B.4 of S.L. 2016-94, as amended by Sec. 5.4 of S.L. 2016-123, directs the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) in the Department of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Public Instruction, to study the costs and effectiveness associated with funding slots for the NC Pre-K program (Program) and to review and determine the following:

• The total cost to fund a NC Pre-K slot, including administration and local costs.
• The Program's anticipated effectiveness in preparing eligible four year olds in the five developmental domains outlined in the North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development.
• Whether the Program's effectiveness justifies the costs associated with funding NC Pre-K slots or whether alternatives may achieve the same objectives.
• The State share needed to fund a NC Pre-K slot by each setting.
• The amount of funds needed to maintain the current number of NC Pre-K slots if the cost per slot was increased to the amount recommended in the study.
• Recommendations on how often NC Pre-K slots should be evaluated and reported to the General Assembly.

DCDEE must report its findings and recommendations, including legislative proposals, to the chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division by February 1, 2017.

This section became effective July 1, 2016.