Page 647
House Bill No. 5506
Public Act No. 22-118 647 of 739
office pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. In entering into a contract under the initiative, the commissioner shall give priority to those child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes that are (1) located in towns with the lowest median household income or the greatest deficit of early care availability, (2) creating new infant and toddler spaces, (3) accredited, and (4) licensed to individuals who reflect the demographics of the population in the community in which such center or home is located. (d) Any contract entered into under the initiative may include a provision requiring the provider to provide access to family support services in order to receive a grant-in-aid. Such family support services shall include, but need not be limited to, parenting support, home visiting, early intervention services, information about child development, and assistance to help parents complete their education, learn English, enroll in a job training program or find employment. (e) The office shall develop an annual report concerning the data and outcome measures for the initiative. The report shall include, but need not be limited to, achievement on the elements outlined in the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards as reported in the accompanying assessment tool. The office may develop recommendations for modifications to the early education system based on an evaluation of such data and outcome measures. Not later than January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the office shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, such report and any such recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education. (f) The office may use a portion of the funds allocated pursuant to the provisions of Section 602 of Subtitle M of Title IX of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2, as amended from time to time, for administrative expenses related to the initiative, including, but not