summary
Introduced
02/06/2026
02/06/2026
In Committee
05/12/2026
05/12/2026
Crossed Over
04/13/2026
04/13/2026
Passed
05/13/2026
05/13/2026
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill creates the cradle to career grant program (grant program) in the state department of human services (state department) to provide grants that promote coordinated community-based supports and services that open opportunities for economic mobility from poverty. The grant program must connect children and youth with high-quality educational and extracurricular programming and families with key health and social services in order to improve prenatal and early childhood outcomes, student achievement, and workforce readiness. A local government, local education provider, state institution of higher education, Indian tribe or tribal organization, or community-based nonprofit or not-for-profit organization (eligible entity) is eligible for a grant award. The bill creates an advisory board to approve the state department's potential grant recipients and to collaborate with the state department to develop grant program guidelines and criteria for awarding grants. To receive a grant, an eligible entity must submit an application that includes an economic mobility needs assessment and a comprehensive proposal to address the needs within its designated service area. The application must identify community partners as prospective subcontractors. Each grant recipient must annually report to the state department on a set of performance indicators assessing the economic mobility outcomes and impacts associated with the grant award. The state department must make a related report to the general assembly each year. The state department may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for grant-program-related purposes. The state department is not required to implement the grant program until sufficient money is available to adequately fund grant program operations. The general assembly shall not appropriate general fund dollars for grant program operations in its first year. General fund appropriations for grant program operations in subsequent years are limited to 50% of the gifts, grants, and donations that the program received in the prior calendar year.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the "Cradle to Career Grant Program" within the state department of human services to provide grants aimed at fostering economic mobility from poverty through coordinated community-based support and services. The program will connect children and youth with high-quality educational and extracurricular activities, and families with essential health and social services, to improve outcomes from prenatal care through early childhood, student achievement, and workforce readiness. Eligible entities for these grants include local governments, education providers, higher education institutions, tribal organizations, and non-profit community organizations. An advisory council, the Cradle to Career Advisory Council, will be created to approve potential grant recipients and help develop program guidelines and criteria. To receive a grant, an eligible entity must submit an application detailing a needs assessment for economic mobility and a comprehensive plan to address those needs within their service area, identifying community partners as subcontractors. Grant recipients will be required to report annually on their progress in achieving economic mobility outcomes, and the state department will report to the general assembly. The program's funding will primarily come from gifts, grants, and donations, with limitations on general fund appropriations in subsequent years. The bill specifies that the program will only be implemented if sufficient funds are secured, with a minimum of $900,000 needed to begin awarding grants.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education, Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (19)
James Coleman (D)*,
Regina English (D)*,
Meghan Lukens (D)*,
Cleave Simpson (R)*,
Judy Amabile (D),
Sean Camacho (D),
Lisa Cutter (D),
Jessie Danielson (D),
Monica Duran (D),
Tony Exum (D),
Julie Gonzales (D),
Ryan Gonzalez (R),
Iman Jodeh (D),
Junie Joseph (D),
Cathy Kipp (D),
William Lindstedt (D),
Janice Marchman (D),
Brianna Titone (D),
Katie Wallace (D),
Last Action
Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass (on 05/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...