79-1104.02 Early Childhood Education Endowment Cash Fund; use; grants; program requirements. - Nebraska Statutes

79-1104.02. Early Childhood Education Endowment Cash Fund; use; grants; program requirements.(1) The Early Childhood Education Endowment Cash Fund, consisting of the interest, earnings, and proceeds from the Early Childhood Education Endowment Fund and the earnings from the private endowment created by the endowment provider, and any additional private donations made directly thereto, shall be used exclusively to provide funds for the Early Childhood Education Grant Program for at-risk children from birth to age three as set forth in this section.(2) Grants provided by this section shall be to school districts and cooperatives of school districts for early childhood education programs for at-risk children from birth to age three, as determined by the board of trustees pursuant to criteria set forth by the board of trustees. School districts and cooperatives of school districts may establish agreements with other public and private entities to provide services or operate programs.(3) Each program selected for a grant pursuant to this section may be provided a grant for up to one-half of the total budget of such program per year. Programs selected for grant awards may receive continuation grants subject to the availability of funding and the submission of a continuation plan which meets the requirements of the board of trustees.(4) Programs shall be funded across the state and in urban and rural areas to the fullest extent possible.(5) Each program selected for a grant pursuant to this section shall meet the requirements described in subsection (2) of section 79-1103, except that the periodic evaluations of the program are to be specified by the board of trustees and the programs need not include continuity with programs in kindergarten and elementary grades and need not include instructional hours that are similar to or less than the instructional hours for kindergarten.(6) Up to ten percent of the total amount deposited in the Early Childhood Education Endowment Cash Fund each fiscal year may be reserved by the board of trustees for evaluation and technical assistance for the Early Childhood Education Grant Program with respect to programs for at-risk children from birth to age three. SourceLaws 2006, LB 1256, § 5; Laws 2008, LB1153, § 5.Operative Date: July 18, 2008