(a) (1) (A) The Department of Education shall establish the Arkansas Better Chance Program to assist in the establishment and funding of the appropriate early childhood programs for children from birth through five (5) years of age.

(B) Within the Arkansas Better Chance Program there is established the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Program for providing appropriate early care and education programs for children three (3) years of age and four (4) years of age as identified under § 6-45-108(a).

(2)

(A) Beginning with the 1991-1992 school year, the department shall award grants or contracts to appropriate early childhood programs selected by the department in accordance with specified programmatic standards.

(B)

(i) These standards will be developed by the department, with the advice and assistance of the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission.

(ii) Standards for funding the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters will be developed in conjunction with the Arkansas HIPPY Advisory Board.

(C) The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters Regional Technical Assistance and Training Center shall be defined and funded as an integral part of the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters to provide necessary training, technical assistance, and program support to program sites in Arkansas.

(b) The programmatic standards and other rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the Arkansas Better Chance Program shall be adopted by the State Board of Education in accordance with the provisions of the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.

(c)

(1) The department may expend a maximum of two percent (2%) of available funds to administer the Arkansas Better Chance Program and to monitor Arkansas Better Chance Program grantees to ensure compliance with programmatic standards.

(2) The department may contract with the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education to administer the Arkansas Better Chance Program.