Sec. 01.01.2006.02. Maryland Child Care Subsidy Coordinating Council

A. Established. There is a Maryland Child Care Subsidy Coordinating Council convening on a regular basis for the purpose of developing, evaluating, and coordinating the administration of all State child care subsidy or voucher programs, including the Child Care Subsidy Program (commonly known as the Purchase of Care program) which is within the Maryland State Department of Education.

(1) Membership. The Council shall consist of the following members:

(a) The Executive Director of the Governor's Office for Children;

(b) The following representatives from the Maryland State Department of Education:

(i) The State Superintendent of Schools;

(ii) The Director of the Office of Child Care;

(iii) The Assistant Superintendent for Finance; and

(iv) The Chief of the Office of Information Technology.

(c) The following representatives of the Department of Human Resources:

(i) The Secretary of Human Resources;

(ii) The Executive Director for Family Investment;

(iii) The Chief Financial Officer; and

(iv) The Chief Information Officer.

(2) The Executive Director of the Governor's Office for Children shall chair the Council and shall be responsible for the oversight, direction, and accountability of the work of the Council.

(3) The Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Human Resources shall provide the primary staff support necessary for the completion of the Council's duties.

(4) The Council shall consult with other State departments and agencies as needed and as appropriate. All Executive departments and agencies shall cooperate with this Council.

(5) Appropriate funding for the implementation of this Executive Order shall be apportioned among the existing budgets of affected Executive departments and agencies.

(6) The Council shall meet at least once every calendar quarter.

(7) The Chair may establish subcommittees as needed to carry out the work of the Council.

B. Purpose. The Council shall have the following objectives:

(1) To develop a comprehensive, coordinated, and collaborative approach for the use of State and Federal resources to assist low-income families to secure child care through the Child Care Subsidy Program;

(2) To ensure the State meets all standards and requirements associated with Federal Funds expended on, by, or through the Child Care Subsidy Program, including but not limited to universal engagement and work force participation rates of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program;

(3) To increase access by low-income families receiving child care subsidies to quality early care and education programs, thereby increasing the probability that their children are entering school ready to learn;

(4) To promote the ongoing viability of the Child Care Subsidy Program and thereby maintain access to the program for low-income families; and

(5) To ensure that the Child Care Subsidy Program continues to promote the transition of low-income families from public assistance to economic independence.

C. Duties. The Council shall carry out the following duties and responsibilities in meeting its objectives:

(1) Oversee and govern the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and practices for the operation of the Child Care Subsidy Program pursuant to the stated objectives of the Council;

(2) Oversee and govern the budget and fiscal management for the Child Care Subsidy Program, including establishing budget and funding priorities;

(3) Develop a Child Care Subsidy Program three-year improvement plan, which shall set benchmarks, identify resources and funding, and establish timelines for the improvement of the sustainability, accessibility, quality, and accountability of the Child Care Subsidy Program;

(4) Perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the enrollment patterns of young children from the Child Care Subsidy Program clients in other State and local programs; and

(5) Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Governor.

D. Reports. The Council shall report to the Governor by October 1, 2006 and annually thereafter.

Effective date: February 13, 2006 (33:8 Md. R. 710)