(1)(a) The Early Learning Council shall adopt rules for the establishment of the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten Program.

(b) Rules adopted under this section specifically shall require:

(A) Performance standards and operating standards that are at a level no less than the level required under the federal Head Start program guidelines.

(B) Processes and procedures for recompetition that are substantially similar to the processes and procedures required under the rules and guidelines adopted under the federal Head Start Act.

(C) Implementation plans for any changes to the federal Head Start program rules or guidelines.

(c) Federal Head Start program guidelines shall be considered as guidelines for the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten Program.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this subsection, the council may adopt rules that allow for the provision of a half-day program or a full-day program, or a combination thereof, to meet community needs, as determined by the council based on community assessments.

(2) In developing rules for the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten Program, the council shall consider such factors as coordination with existing programs, the preparation necessary for instructors, qualifications of instructors, training of staff, adequate space and equipment and special transportation needs.

(3) The Department of Early Learning and Care shall review received applications for entities to become providers under the Oregon Prenatal to Kindergarten Program. When approving applications, to the extent practicable, the department shall distribute funds regionally based on percentages of unmet needs for the county or region. [Formerly 326.620; 2001 c.831 § 20; 2007 c.858 § 14; 2012 c.37 18,88; 2013 c.624 10,11; 2017 c.140 § 2; 2019 c.395 § 5; 2021 c.631 § 31; 2023 c.547 14,15]