Text of section effective on April 01, 2025

Sec. 523.0305. 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.

Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.