Senate Bill 2298 Summary

• Establishes an early childhood services inclusion grant program for licensed providers caring for children with disabilities or developmental delays, designed to increase staff-to-child ratios and modify facilities to address health and safety needs.

• Authorizes the department to fund early childhood services specialists to provide technical assistance including classroom and one-on-one training, care plan development, and coordination with parents and specialists.

• Creates a grant review committee with representation from the Department of Human Services, Department of Public Instruction, North Dakota Training and Information Center, child care resource and referral, and parents of children with disabilities.

• Appropriates $50,000 from the general fund for the biennium beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2013, for inclusion support services.

• Directs the Legislative Management to study early childhood services and programs delivery during the 2011-12 interim and report findings and recommendations to the 63rd Legislative Assembly.