The proposed revisions update the rule and incorporated forms based on legislative changes to sections 1002.53 F.S.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

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

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed revisions update the rule and incorporated forms based on legislative changes to sections 1002.53 F.S.

SUMMARY: The rule and its incorporated forms include the child registration procedures, eligibility requirements and the requirements that a parent must provide certification of their understanding of the VPK program requirements. The rule text also establishes the Early Learning Coalitions responsibilities for child enrollment.

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 department's economic analysis of the adverse impact or potential regulatory costs of the proposed rule does not exceed any of the criteria established in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S.

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), (6), 1002.75(2)(a), (b), 1002.82(2)(n) F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. or until business in concluded.

PLACE: via GoToWebinar only. To register for the webinar, please visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4558768040109627918

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 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Cassandra Jackson [phone]; [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: Cassandra Jackson, VPK Educational Policy Consultant, Division of Early Learning, 250 Marriott Dr., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]; [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

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

(1) Child registration.

(a) A parent wishing to register a child in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program must complete and submit Form DELOEL-VPK 01 (October 2021) (May 2016), titled Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program Child Application, through the single point of entry (known as the Family Portal) established under Section 1002.53, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and available at the following web address: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com using personal means or with assistance available at an early learning coalition. Form DELOEL-VPK 01 (October 2021) (May 2016), is hereby incorporated by reference and a copy may be obtained as provided in Rule 6M-8.900, F.A.C., or at: (Insert New Link) http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07032.

(b) Beginning with the 2022-2023 program year, a parent wishing to register a child in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program must complete and submit Form DEL-VPK 01A (October 2021), titled Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program Child Application, through the single point of entry (known as the Family Portal) established under Section 1002.53, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and available at the following web address: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com using personal means or with assistance available at an early learning coalition. Form DEL-VPK 01A (October 2021), is hereby incorporated by reference and a copy may be obtained as provided in Rule 6M-8.900, F.A.C., or at: (insert new web link)

(2) Handbook. The Voluntary Prekindergarten Handbook, Form DELOEL-VPK 07 (October 2021) (February 2017), is hereby incorporated by reference, http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-08024, and is available at the following website: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com.

(3) No Change

(a)1. through 4. No Change

5. An immunization record signed by a public health officer or licensed practicing physician;, or

6. A valid military dependent identification card or a federal or state government issued identification card, or

(b) Residential Eligibility. To be eligible for VPK, a child must reside in Florida. The early learning coalition shall keep a record of at least one of the following supporting documents that shows the name and residential address of a parent with whom the child resides:

1. Utility bill (electric, gas, water), cable, internet or home or cellular phone bill dated within 12 months of the date the child application is submitted;

2. through 8. No Change

9. If no supporting documents listed in subparagraphs (2)(b)1.-8. above are available for a child who is experiencing homelessness as defined in Section 1003.01(12), F.S., a coalition shall document residency based on other supporting documents showing that the child who is experiencing homelessness and resides in Florida (for example, but not limited to; letter from a homeless shelter, homeless referral, student residency questionnaire issued by the local school district or notarized statement from the child’s parent).

(c) No Change

(4) Early Learning Coalition Responsibilities.

(a) through (b) No Change

(c) An early learning coalition shall coordinate with the Department of Children and Families to keep current profiles of VPK providers in the coalition’s geographic region on the Child Care Information System found on the website: https://cares.myflfamilies.com/PublicSearch.

(c)(d) The early learning coalition shall assist all parents enrolling a child in the VPK program who present themselves or contact the early learning coalition with available information to help the parent make informed child care decisions. This information may be provided in person, by telephone or electronically through online resources and shall include:

1. No Change

2. No Change

3. An early learning provider performance profile as described in s.1002.92(3) F.S. for every VPK provider within the county where the child is being enrolled in accordance with s. 1002.53(5) F.S. Assistance navigating profiles of VPK providers in the coalition’s geographic region through the Child Care Information System website.

(e) The early learning coalition shall make available the use of technology at the early learning coalition or contracted service provider to all parents who present themselves requesting assistance with completing the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program Child Application (Form DELOEL-VPK 01 or Form DEL-VPK 01A) on the Family Portal.

(5) 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 Form DELOEL-VPK 02, titled Child Certificate of Eligibility (October 2021) (February 2017), or Form DELOEL-VPK 04, as incorporated by Rule 6M-8.210, F.A.C., 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 DELOEL-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-08025.

(a) No Change

(b) A coalition must allow a VPK provider to enroll a child who resides in a Florida county other than the county where the provider’s VPK site is located. If the county listed on Form DELOEL-VPK 02 or Form DELOEL-VPK 04 is different than the county where services will be provided, the early learning coalitions shall coordinate to change the county of services on the child’s application in the Family Portal to the correct county (if the child has not yet attended VPK). After eligibility for the VPK program is determined by an early learning coalition, no further resubmission or reverification of age and residential eligibility documentation is required.

(c) No Change

(d) A coalition, upon receipt of the completed or verification of the completed Form DELOEL-VPK 02 or Form DELOEL-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), 1002.73(2)(d)(1.)1002.75(2), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.53(4), (5), 1002.73(2)(d)(1.) 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, 3-20-17. DATE

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Katerina Maroney, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Shan Goff, Director

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 26, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 18, 2021