(a)

1. (1) Facilities that are denied certification status, are found to be ineligible for a particular level, or have had their certification status reduced or removed may request an appeal.
2. (2) A written request for appeal shall be submitted to the Better Beginnings Program Administrator within ten (10) days of the notice of action asking that the certification status decision be reviewed.

(b)

1. (1) Upon receipt of the request for appeal, the Better Beginnings Program Administrator will conduct an internal review to:

   1. (A) Ensure that the appropriate processes were followed; and
   2. (B) Determine the validity of the decision.
2. (2) The Better Beginnings Program Administrator will review the findings with the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or designee and will transmit the findings of the internal review to the facility within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the request to appeal.

(c)

1. (1) If the outcome of the internal review is unsatisfactory to the facility, the facility has ten (10) days in which to ask for further review by the Better Beginnings Appeal Review Committee.
2. (2) The Better Beginnings Appeal Review Committee will schedule a hearing and notify the facility in writing of the date and time of the hearing.
3. (3) The Better Beginnings Appeal Review Committee members are appointed by the Chair of the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission.
4. (4) A decision of the Better Beginnings Appeal Review Committee is the final Department of Education administrative decision.

(d)

1. (1) In the event that there are appeals made to multiple units in the Office of Early Childhood regarding the action that resulted in the Better Beginnings action being appealed, the Better Beginnings appeal will not be heard until the outcome of the other appeals has been determined.
2. (2) If the action is overturned, then the Better Beginnings appeal will be scheduled.
3. (3) If the action is upheld, the decision is final and there will be no Better Beginnings appeal hearing.