CHAPTER 28. EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

IC 20-20-28
    Chapter 28. Early Childhood Programs

IC 20-20-28-1
"Early childhood program"
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "early childhood program" refersto a voluntary parental education program for parents of childrenfrom birth to less than three (3) years of age that provides theseparents with information and activities to help the parents betterprepare children for school.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-28-2
"Latch key program"
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "latch key program" means avoluntary school age child care program for children who attendkindergarten through grade 6 and that at a minimum, operates afterthe school day and may include periods before school is in sessionor during periods when school is not in session.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-28-3
"Preschool program"
    Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "preschool program" refers to avoluntary school readiness program for children who are at leastthree (3) years of age and not enrolled in at least kindergarten.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-28-4
Targeting at risk students; pilot programs; early childhoodspecialist
    Sec. 4. (a) The department shall establish pilot programs targetingat risk students in the following areas:
        (1) Early childhood parental information programs.
        (2) Latch key programs.
        (3) Preschool programs.
    (b) In establishing the pilot programs under this chapter, thedepartment shall focus on implementing programs that enable thelocal school corporation and appropriate community agencies tocooperate with each other.
    (c) The department shall address the following in establishing theprograms:
        (1) Screening for physical health problems that can inhibitschool success.
        (2) Screening for learning disabilities.
        (3) Parental orientation and participation.
    (d) In addition, the department shall employ an early childhoodspecialist and support staff personnel to identify and determine waysto coordinate the educational programs offered by local youthserving organizations.As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-28-5
Participation by school corporations; selection; contracts withnonprofit corporations
    Sec. 5. (a) The department:
        (1) shall select certain school corporations to participate in therespective pilot programs listed in section 4 of this chapter; and
        (2) may select school corporations that have a pilot program asdescribed in section 4 of this chapter in existence on June 30,1990.
    (b) A school corporation may enter into an agreement with anonprofit corporation to provide early childhood education,preschool education, or latch key programs. However, if a schoolcorporation enters into a contract for preschool education, thenonprofit corporation:
        (1) must operate a federally approved preschool educationprogram; and
        (2) may not be religiously affiliated.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

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Guidelines
    Sec. 6. The department shall develop guidelines necessary toimplement this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-28-7
Report
    Sec. 7. Each school corporation that participates in a pilotprogram under this chapter shall prepare a written report detailing allof the pertinent information concerning the implementation of thepilot program, including any recommendations made and conclusionsdrawn from the pilot program. The school corporation shall submitthe report to the department.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.