§ 20-1A-4 - Powers and duties
O.C.G.A. 20-1A-4 (2010)
20-1A-4. Powers and duties
The Department of Early Care and Learning shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To administer such programs and services as may be necessary for the operation and management of voluntary pre-kindergarten, which shall be known as "Georgia's Pre-K Program";
(2) To administer such programs and services as may be necessary for the operation and management of preschool and child development programs, such as Even Start and child care regulation and food programs;
(3) To act as the agent of the federal government in conformity with this chapter and the administration of any federal funds granted to the state to aid in the furtherance of any functions of the department;
(4) To assist local units of administration in this state so as to assure the proliferation of services under this chapter;
(5) To regulate early care and education programs in accordance with this chapter;
(6) To perform the functions set out in Code Section 20-1A-64, relating to improvement of the quality, availability, and affordability of child care in this state;
(7) To serve as the Head Start state collaboration office;
(8) To establish and collect annual fees for licensure, registration, or commission of early care and education programs. Such fees so established shall be reasonable and shall be determined in such a manner that the total amount of fees established shall help defray the direct and indirect costs to the department in performing such function. The department shall remit all fees collected to the general fund of the state;
(9) To perform any other functions as agreed upon between the department and the Department of Human Resources (now known as the Department of Human Services), pursuant to Code Section 20-1A-8;
(10) To perform any other functions as agreed upon between the department and the Department of Education, in accordance with Code Section 20-1A-17; and
(11) To exercise the powers reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, contracting for services.