49-1-206 - Preschool/parenting learning centers for teen parents.
49-1-206. Preschool/parenting learning centers for teen parents.
(a) The departments of education and human services shall develop and implement statewide a joint program of technical assistance, consultative services, workshops, seminars, training opportunities and other appropriate methods of encouragement and support for any LEA that establishes, or that is considering establishment of, a public school based preschool/parenting learning center to provide child care and parenting training for teen parents who are enrolled as students and to reduce dropout rates among such parents. The joint program shall also provide assistance to any such agency in developing a transportation plan that will enable and encourage teen parents and their children to fully participate and benefit from the center. Additionally, the joint program shall provide assistance to any such agency in utilizing the center for parenting and child development course electives for students who are not parents, in order to instruct such students on the realities and difficulties associated with early parenthood. The departments shall jointly undertake continuing activities to inform and remind all LEAs of the program established pursuant to this section. To the extent that funding is available for such purpose as contained within the general appropriations act, other appropriate methods of encouragement and support may include state implementation grants awarded on a matching fund basis, the dollar amount of any state implementation grant to be determined by the department of education, acting in consultation with the department of human services.
(b) Until such time as the select committee on children and youth terminates pursuant to § 3-15-206, the departments of education and human services shall jointly report at least once each year, on or before December 31, to such select committee concerning performance of duties and responsibilities assigned by this section.
[Acts 1988, ch. 1006, §§ 2, 3; 1996, ch. 1079, § 183.]