MS SB2092

Amends Mississippi Code Section 37-21-51 to require the Legislature to appropriate $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 to fund the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2007.

Establishes a voluntary early care and education grant program administered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services to collaborate with Head Start agencies, licensed child care facilities, and public/private school prekindergarten programs.

Grants may be used to defray costs of additional teaching staff, educational materials, equipment, and quality improvements for four-year-old children in licensed early care and education programs.

Requires grant applicants to collaborate with other early care and education programs, provide local matching funds, designate a fiscal agent, and meet specified teacher qualifications including use of research-based curriculum aligned with Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines.

Takes effect July 1, 2013.