(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Agency" means an independent agency that oversees approved facility schools. (b) "Eligible applicant" means an approved facility school that applies to the grant program on behalf of itself and one or more other approved facility schools, an organization, or an agency. (c) "Grant program" means the shared operational services grant program created in subsection (2) of this section. (d) "Organization" means a public or private organization that provides or coordinates operational services for grantees. (e) "Shared operational services" means services that support approved facility schools, including but not limited to food services, janitorial services, shared office space, billing, technical assistance on medicaid services, technology, security, transportation, or purchasing. Shared operational services may include purchasing and sharing items such as office supplies and technology. (2) (a) (I) There is created in the department the shared operational services grant program to award an eligible applicant grant money for the span of two budget years to contract with an organization that provides or coordinates shared operational services for grantees. (II) In the first year of the grant program, an eligible applicant who is awarded a grant shall determine the shared operational services needed by approved facility schools and contract with an organization to provide or coordinate services. In the second year of the grant program, the grantee shall work with the organization to provide the shared operational services for the approved facility schools. (b) The department shall implement a timeline for the grant program, which must include the following: (I) The date the department announces the grant program and begins accepting applications from eligible applicants; (II) The date the eligible applicants must submit applications by; and (III) The date the department begins distributing grant money to the eligible applicants that are awarded a grant. (c) An eligible applicant that chooses to apply for a grant must submit an application to the department. The application must include, at a minimum, the following information: (I) The types of shared operational services needed by approved facility schools; (II) The name of the organization the eligible applicant plans on contracting with for shared operational services; (III) Projected budget and cost savings by implementing shared operational services between approved facility schools; and (IV) The sustainability of the shared operational services after the grant program concludes. (3) The department shall review the applications submitted pursuant to subsection (2)(c) of this section and make recommendations to the state board. The state board shall take into consideration the recommendations of the department in selecting eligible applicants that receive grants and determining the amount of each grant. (4) In selecting grantees, the state board shall give priority to eligible applicants who: (a) Create a detailed plan to meet the various needs of approved facility schools that require shared operational services; and (b) Anticipate the sustainability of shared operational services after the grant program concludes based on the information submitted pursuant to subsection (2)(c)(IV) of this section. (5) The state board may promulgate rules as necessary for the implementation of this section. (6) To ensure accountability, the department shall conduct an audit of an eligible applicant who receives grant money. (7) (a) On or before September 1, 2024, each eligible applicant that is awarded grant money shall submit an interim report to the department. On or before September 1, 2025, each eligible applicant that is awarded grant money shall submit a final report to the department. The interim and final reports must include the following information: (I) The types of shared operational services that were provided or coordinated by the organization; (II) A performance review of the organization that provided or coordinated shared operational services between approved facility schools; (III) An analysis of cost savings based on the implementation of the shared operational services; and (IV) The projected sustainability of the shared operational services after the grant program concludes. (b) As part of the October 1, 2024, and October 1, 2025, reports required pursuant to section 22-2-407.5 (4)(e), the department shall submit information that, at a minimum, summarizes the information received by the department pursuant to subsection (7)(a) of this section. (8) This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2026.
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