The department shall perform all of the following functions in the administration of the Dream Resource Center Grant Program:

(a) Review applications and award grants based off of a tiered point system that prioritizes applications for funding as follows:

(1) Local educational agencies that are applying for funds for multiple schoolsites shall be given additional points.

(2) Local educational agencies in underserved areas, including those in rural areas, shall be given additional points to ensure local educational agencies across the state are given fair opportunities for funding.

(3) Local educational agencies that serve a large number of English learners shall be given additional points.

(4) Local educational agencies that serve a large number of pupils who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, as defined in Section 42238.01, shall be given additional points.

(5) Award no more than 5 percent of the total funding to supplementing the funding of existing Dream Resource Centers.

(b) Identify data to be collected by grant recipients.

(c) Identify how the department will collect data reported by grant recipients.

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 424, Sec. 1. (AB 278) Effective January 1, 2024.)