Applications

(a) In general Each State desiring a grant under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services— (1) that includes the information described in subsection (b); and (2) at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional information as the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, may reasonably require. (b) Contents Each application submitted under subsection (a) shall include a description of the State’s comprehensive early childhood professional development system, including the following: (1) A description of how the State’s system was developed in collaboration with the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care designated or established under section 642B of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b), the State agency responsible for administering childcare, the State Head Start collaboration director, the State educational agency, institutions of higher education, organizations that represent early childhood educators, child care resource and referral organizations, staffed family child care networks, and credible early childhood education professional organizations. (2) A designation of a State agency to administer the grant program. (3) A description of how the State’s comprehensive early childhood professional development system provides— (A) an oversight structure for such system; (B) early childhood educator standards and competencies; (C) a career and wage lattice; (D) coordination with State higher education agencies, higher education accrediting bodies, and accredited 2- and 4-year institutions of higher education; (E) articulation agreements between 2- and 4-year institutions of higher education and credit-bearing opportunities and articulation agreements that recognize prior learning, early childhood educator credentials, and expertise in early childhood education and development; (F) accessible higher education for working students through offering of college courses at accessible time and locations, with particular attention to rural areas; (G) support to students who are dual language learners, or come from low-income or minority communities; (H) training and expertise that reflects linguistically and culturally appropriate education and practices; and (I) use of workforce data to assess State and local workforce needs. (4) A description of the financing of the State’s comprehensive early childhood professional development system over time.