(a) The department shall design and implement a statewide parents as teachers program for the benefit of children who are under five years of age. The program must provide a system of early childhood education that

1. (1) is evidence-based;
2. (2) involves parents;
3. (3) is consistent with available research and best practices for high quality early childhood education;

4. (4) incorporates guidelines adopted by the department for early learning that

   1. (A) enhance school readiness;
   2. (B) increase parent understanding of child development and developmental milestones;
   3. (C) reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect;
   4. (D) increase identification of health problems and developmental delays through regular screenings;
   5. (E) improve child health indicators, including immunization rates; and
   6. (F) increase parental involvement; and
5. (5) provides for effective and efficient coordination with or expansion of early education programs operating in the state, to the extent permitted by law.