HB1822 - Early Childhood Program Eligibility Screening Act

• Creates the Early Childhood Program Eligibility Screening Program to coordinate enrollment of children birth to 5 years old into early childhood programs receiving 90% or more federal and state funding.

• Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development shall develop and implement a Universal Early Childhood Program Application that all eligible community programs must use to determine family eligibility for any and all local early childhood programs.

• Families meeting Head Start or Early Head Start income eligibility guidelines must be offered priority enrollment in those programs before other community programs, and if Head Start/Early Head Start reaches full capacity, families may be placed in other eligible programs.

• Families whose children meet income eligibility requirements must remain on a waiting list for an eligible early childhood program for no longer than 45 days to ensure timely placement.

• Establishes detailed findings supporting Head Start and Early Head Start programs' comprehensive services including school readiness, health services, qualified staff, research-based curriculum, and coordination with community agencies.