Section 235.110  Application Procedure and Content for New or Expanding Programs

In addition to meeting the requirements set forth in Section 235.20 of this Part (with the exception of Section 235.20(c)(6) of this Part) and Section 235.30 of this Part, each application for funding for a Preschool for All Children program shall provide the following. 

a)         Each applicant shall describe whether the program qualifies as a program serving primarily at-risk children or a program serving primarily children whose families meet the income guidelines set forth in Section 2-3.71(a)(4.5) of the School Code.

1)         A program serving "primarily at-risk children" is one that:

A)        has 51 percent or more of the enrolled children identified as being at risk of academic failure (see Sections 235.10(a)(3) and 235.20(c)(5) of this Part),

B)        gives priority for enrollment to academically at-risk students over those students who have not been identified as academically at risk, and

C)        has taken specific proactive measures to ensure that parents of children who may be at risk of academic failure are aware of the opportunity for preschool education through the Preschool for All Children program.

2)         A program serving "primarily children whose families meet income guidelines" is one that has 51 percent or more of the enrolled children from families meeting the income guidelines and does not qualify under subsection (a)(1) of this Section as serving primarily academically at-risk children.

3)         Each applicant shall estimate the percentage of children to be enrolled who are considered to be at risk of academic failure or whose families meet income guidelines, as applicable. 

b)         Programs serving primarily at-risk children shall describe:

1)         the process to ensure that, if the program has a waiting list of children to be enrolled, all children identified as being at risk of academic failure are enrolled before other children not identified as being at risk; and

2)         the specific proactive measures the program has taken or will take to ensure that parents of children who may be at risk of academic failure are made aware of the opportunity to participate in the Preschool for All Children program.

c)         Each applicant shall describe the provisions to be made to allow for:

1)         the participation of children with disabilities in the program, and

2)         the continued participation of children of homeless families in the program in those instances in which the children move outside the area served by the Preschool for All Children program.

d)         Each applicant shall describe the parent education and involvement component, which shall include activities in each of the following areas.

1)         Communication between home and the Preschool for All Children program that is regular, two-way and meaningful.

2)         Parenting skills are promoted and supported.

3)         Recognition that parents play an integral role in assisting student learning.

4)         Parents are welcome in the program, and their support and involvement are sought.

5)         Parents are full partners in the decisions that affect children and families.

(Source:  Added at 30 Ill. Reg. 19383, effective November 28, 2006)