(1) As used in this section:

(a) ‘Families’ means groups of individuals related by blood, marriage or adoption, or individuals whose functional relationships are similar to those found in such associations. The family’s purpose is the security, support, nurturance, love, transmission of values and facilitation of each member’s growth and development, and is the primary social unit affecting a child’s well-being.

(b) ‘Services’ means education and all other programs and services addressing one or more of a child’s basic needs.

(c) ‘Young children’ means children prenatal through six years of age.

(2) State agencies that administer education programs and other programs that provide services for children and families shall:

(a) Evaluate the effectiveness of the program as related to the principles stated in ORS § 329.025 and 417.305 in the earliest stages of the budget process, including components within programs as appropriate;

(b) Articulate ways in which the program is:

(A) An effective component of agency and state priorities, goals and strategies that have been established by the Early Learning Council; and

(B) Relevant to research and professional standards;

(c) Establish plans, interagency partnerships and implementation practices;

(d) Use the information generated by applicable state advisory groups and governing boards in the program assessment of needs and decisions as to service delivery in a given community; and

(e) Identify barriers to improving program capability to serve the needs of young children and make related recommendations, if any, to the Early Learning Council.

(3) The processes listed in subsection (2) of this section are for the purpose of generating interagency coordination so as to serve to the greatest extent possible young children and their families in a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate fashion. The information generated by these processes shall be considered as a contribution to subsequent budget decisions by state and local agencies, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and the Legislative Assembly. [Formerly 326.795; 1999 c.59 § 80; 1999 c.1053 § 26; 2012 c.37 38,85; 2021 c.631 § 22]

(Community Learning Centers)