MS SB2615

Creates the Early Childhood Services Interagency Coordinating Council to coordinate state and federally funded prekindergarten programs, leverage resources, align processes, and reduce duplication of effort.

Council membership consists of the State Superintendent of Public Education, State Health Officer, Executive Director of Department of Human Services, and Head Start Collaboration Director from the Governor's Office.

Council must meet by September 1, 2014, to select a chairman and adopt bylaws for conducting business.

Council duties include aligning paperwork and monitoring visits across agencies, jointly conducting evaluations, developing common forms, and sharing compliance data.

Council must review Early Learning Collaborative Act applications to verify providers meet statutory requirements, including licensure status, lead partner qualifications, and financial capacity before full review by Mississippi Department of Education.