5.01 Any child care provider meeting these criteria is eligible to apply for funding:

• Located within the boundaries of the State of Arkansas

• Licensed by DCCECE as a Child Care Center or Child Care Family Home with no history of formal corrective action or founded complaints which pose an immediate safety risk within 12 months of application date

• Has no outstanding debt to DCCECE or ADE (This requirement shall be suspended if an appeal is pending.)

• Has obtained State Quality Approval accreditation OR is eligible for such accreditation in the space to be used for the ABC program

• Can provide matching funds in accordance with local to state 40:60 funding ratio

The local-to-state match may be waived by DCCECE if the program is in a school district that has been designated by ADE as being in academic distress and DCCECE determines that the school is unable to provide the local-to-state match requirement. This determination may be made only after DCCECE has assisted the school in identifying potential funding sources to provide local-to-state match requirements.

5.02 Any provider wishing to be considered for funding must fully complete a grant application supplied by DCCECE. Grant applications will be evaluated and scored on the following factors:

• Current status of child care license and quality approval accreditation

• The degree to which the program can provide a developmentally appropriate preschool program as outlined in the grant application

• A strategy of collaboration with the local business and education community

• A fiscally-responsible budget which correlates to core quality models

• A plan of action for parent involvement

5.03 DCCECE will determine an acceptable cutoff score for approved applications. Questions and concerns regarding grant scoring should be referred to the Program Administrator. The ABC Administrator shall make the final determination of all grant scores. Grant scores are final.

5.04 All applications shall include a budget which corresponds to the ABC core quality components, details program costs and demonstrates fiscal responsibility. Allowable costs include:

• salaries/fringe

• instructional materials

• staff development

• developmental screenings

• parent/community engagement activities

• financial assistance for staff working towards a degree or credential, including but not limited to books, tuition and travel.