The purpose of the rule revision is to consolidate the parent guide and parent handbook into one parent-friendly document. This update makes it necessary to repeal of Rule 6M-8.2011, F.A.C. which merely incorporates the parent guide. Through this ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Florida’s Office of Early Learning

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

6M-8.201Child Enrollment Procedure for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program

6M-8.2011Voluntary Prekindergarten Parent Guide

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule revision is to consolidate the parent guide and parent handbook into one parent-friendly document. This update makes it necessary to repeal of Rule 6M-8.2011, F.A.C. which merely incorporates the parent guide. Through this revision obsolete content was removed and new useful information for VPK parents was added. Additionally, the field “VPK class” in the certificate of eligibility, (Form OEL-VPK 02) incorporated in Rule 6M-8.201, F.A.C., will no longer be an optional field. This change is necessary to better process payment information in the statewide information system.

SUMMARY: The revised rule will update the parent handbook, remove the parent guide and require providers to submit which VPK class a child is enrolled in.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed rule revisions do not have a significant impact on the current process for VPK parents or providers as the revisions merely update information given to parents about the program and requires providers to indicate the VPK class on a child’s certificate of eligibility, which is already in practice for payment purposes.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.213(2), 1002.75(2), 1002.79 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.53(4),(5), 1002.75(2)(a)(b), 1002.82(2)(n) FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE,TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW(IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):

DATE AND TIME: January 17, 2016, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. or at the conclusion of business whichever is earlier

PLACE: Via webinar; registration information may be found at:

http://www.floridaearlylearning.com/statewide_initiatives/laws_and_rules/proposed_rules.aspx

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Tara Huls, Bureau Chief, Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone] or [e-mail].. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Tara Huls, Bureau Chief, Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone] or [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6M-8.201 Child Enrollment Procedure for the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program.

(1) No change.

(2) Parent Guide and Right to Information. The Voluntary Prekindergarten Parent Guide, Form OEL-VPK 06, https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-01648, as incorporated in Rule 6M-8.2011, F.A.C., is available by following the instructions at the following website: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com.

(2) (3) Parent Handbook. The Voluntary Prekindergarten Parent Handbook, Form OEL-VPK 07 (February 2017May 2016), is hereby incorporated by reference, _______________________________________________ http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07034, and is available by following the instructions at the following website: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com.

(3)(4) No change.

(4)(5) Early Learning Coalition Responsibilities.

(a)(c) No Change. 

(d) The early learning coalition shall assist all parents who present themselves or contact the early learning coalition with available information to help the parent make informed decisions. This information may be provided in person or through online resources and shall include:

1. The Voluntary Prekindergarten Parent Guide.

1.2. The Voluntary Prekindergarten Parent Handbook.

2.3. Information about different VPK program types.

3.4. Assistance navigating profiles of VPK providers in the coalition’s geographic region through the Child Care Information System website.

(e) No change.

(5)(6) Enrollment. A VPK provider may only enroll a child in the VPK or VPK SIS program after the early learning coalition determines that the child is eligible for the program. A VPK provider shall collect from the child’s parent Form OEL-VPK 02, titled Child Certificate of Eligibility (February 2017May 2016), or Form OEL-VPK 04 http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07035, as incorporated by Rule 6M-8.210, F.A.C, titled Certificate of Eligibility for Reenrollment from the child’s parent. Both forms are generated by the Family Portal after the early learning coalition determines the child is eligible. The VPK provider shall complete the remainder of the form and submit verification of the completed form to the early learning coalition to finalize the child’s enrollment with that VPK provider. Form OEL-VPK 02, is hereby incorporated by reference and may be obtained as described in Rule 6M-8.900, F.A.C., or at____________________________________________________. http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07033.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) A coalition, upon receipt of the completed or verification of the completed Form OEL-VPK 02 or Form OEL-VPK 04, shall complete a child’s enrollment in the statewide information system by recording an association between the child and the child’s selected VPK provider.

(e) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2), 1002.75(2), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.53(4), (5), 1002.75(2)(a), (b), 1002.82(2)(n) FS. History–New 1-19-06, Amended 5-24-07, Formerly 60BB-8.201, Amended 1-1-15, 7-28-16, Amended                    .

 

6M-8.2011 Voluntary Prekindergarten Parent Guide. – Repealed.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(1), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.75(2)(a) FS. History–New 11-15-12, Repealed__________.

 

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Tara Huls, Bureau Chief, Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Rodney J. MacKinnon, Executive Director

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 21, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 5, 2016