Section 523.0305 - [Effective 4/1/2025] Powers And Duties(a) The office shall identify:(1) gaps in early childhood services by functional area and geographical area;(2) state policies, rules, and service procedures that prevent or inhibit children younger than six years of age from accessing available services;(3) sources of funds for early childhood services, including federal, state, and private-public venture sources;(4) opportunities for collaboration between the Texas Education Agency and health and human services agencies to better serve the needs of children younger than six years of age;(5) methods for coordinating early childhood services provided by the Texas Head Start State Collaboration Office, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Workforce Commission;(6) quantifiable benchmarks for success within early childhood service delivery; and(7) national best practices in early care and educational delivery models.(b) The office shall establish community outreach efforts and ensure adequate communication lines that provide: (1) the office with information about community-level efforts; and(2) communities with information about funds and programs available to communities.(c) The office shall make recommendations to the commission on strategies to: (1) ensure optimum collaboration and coordination between state agencies serving the needs of children younger than six years of age and other community stakeholders;(2) fill functional and geographical gaps in early childhood services; and(3) amend state policies, rules, and service procedures that prevent or inhibit children younger than six years of age from accessing services. (Gov. Code, Sec. 531.285.)Tex. Gov't. Code § 523.0305
Added by Acts 2023, Texas Acts of the 88th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 769,Sec. 1.01, eff. 4/1/2025.