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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of the child first grant program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 265, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter E to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER E. CHILD FIRST GRANT PROGRAM |
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Sec. 265.201. OPERATION OF CHILD FIRST GRANT PROGRAM. (a) |
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The department shall operate a child first grant program through |
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which the department will award grants to implement, expand, and |
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maintain child first programs in the state. |
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(b) To be considered for a grant under this subchapter, an |
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applicant must, at a minimum: |
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(1) be a nonprofit organization that is exempt from |
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federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code |
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of 1986, by being listed as an exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3) |
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of that code; |
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(2) demonstrate a commitment to a family-centered, |
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system of care approach to providing comprehensive, coordinated |
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services to children and families; |
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(3) have experience providing successful early |
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childhood mental health or prevention services for low-income, |
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high-risk families; and |
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(4) have experience in providing home-based services |
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to children and families. |
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Sec. 265.202. CHILD FIRST PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. A child |
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first program awarded a grant under this subchapter must: |
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(1) be based on the program model developed by the |
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Child First National Service Office; and |
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(2) require that a team consisting of a master's level |
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licensed mental health or developmental clinician and a bachelor's |
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level care coordinator regularly visit the homes of families to: |
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(A) improve child and parent mental health; |
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(B) promote school readiness; |
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(C) decrease child abuse and neglect; and |
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(D) improve the immediate and long-term health |
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and well-being of families. |
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Sec. 265.203. CHILD FIRST PROGRAM STANDARDS. The |
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commissioner, with the assistance of the Child First National |
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Service Office, shall adopt standards for programs awarded grants |
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under this subchapter. |
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Sec. 265.204. GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING. The department may |
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solicit, contract for, receive, accept, or administer gifts, |
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grants, and donations of money or property from any source for |
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purposes of this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |