HB 1639: Creating a specialized child care pilot program for vulnerable children

HB 1639 would establish a pilot program for the department of early learning (DEL) to explore the results of specialized child care for children from birth to five years of age in order to make informed and research-based investments in early learning and child care. The bill would require DEL, beginning September 1, 2017, to establish a two-year pilot program in four licensed child care facilities to provide multitiered behavior support, including specialized trauma informed care, for children from birth to five years of age. The pilot projects would have to reserve at least fifty percent of their slots for children who have experienced an adverse childhood experience, agree to a nonexpulsion policy for children, and equally represent urban and rural areas. The bill would also require the department to submit an evaluation of the results of the pilot program to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2019.