1. (a)

   1. (1) Annually, state start-up grants are provided on a competitive basis to assist with the start-up expenses of a new program of study.
   2. (2) Occupational area grant awards shall be available for the exclusive purpose of purchasing new equipment and program specific supplies, required training, assessment, and software to support newly approved career focus programs of study.

2. (b) The factors used for determining both approval and the amount of the grant awards are contingent on:

   1. (1) Funds available;
   2. (2) State priority;
   3. (3) Labor market data; and
   4. (4) Evaluation and review of application and rubric.

3. (c)

   1. (1) To be considered for funding, school districts shall submit a proposal for a new program start-up by November 1 prior to implementation in the following school year.
   2. (2) Applications and rubric will be available beginning September 1 each year as announced through a Division of Elementary and Secondary Education commissioner’s memo.
   3. (3) Applications for districts/schools shall be submitted by CTE coordinators.
4. (d) Schools applying for more than one (1) program of study shall submit a list that prioritizes the programs of study being requested.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The grant award or awards shall not exceed eighty-five percent (85%) of the minimum start-up costs as established by Division of Career and Technical Education program standards.
   2. (2) The district is responsible for fifteen percent (15%) of the minimum start-up costs.
6. (f) The equipment, supplies, and software purchased with state funds authorized under the biennial appropriation for grants and aids to school districts (public school fund) shall be utilized only for the activities for which it was originally approved and purchased and shall not be used in any other fashion without prior written approval of the Division of Career and Technical Education.

7. (g)

   1. (1) Reimbursement requests for new program start-up shall be submitted to the state office at any time prior to the November 1 deadline.
   2. (2) The request for reimbursement of state funds shall not exceed the amount of the grant award.

8. (h)

   1. (1) For new program start-up equipment and program specific supplies and software, it shall be the responsibility of the local school districts to maintain and repair the equipment purchased with the state grant during its life cycle.
   2. (2) After the life cycle (five (5) years), it shall become the property of the local school district.

9. (i)

   1. (1) The Division of Career and Technical Education shall retain a vested interest in the equipment and program-specific supplies and software purchased with new program start-up grants for their life cycle.
   2. (2) At the discretion of the accountability and funding program coordinator or the Division of Career and Technical Education audit coordinator, items shall be reinventoried to another CTE program if the program is discontinued or no longer needed before the five-year useful life of the equipment.

10. (j)

    1. (1) The Division of Career and Technical Education will provide up-to-date equipment standards for each program of study.
    2. (2) Prior written approval shall be required for any item or expenditure not on the Division of Career and Technical Education program start-up list.
    3. (3) Disclosure of existing equipment and resources shall be made on the state start-up application.

11. (k)

    1. (1) A request to restart a closed program of study shall be funded only if funds have not been granted within the last five (5) years and if additional funds are available, when feasible.
    2. (2) Under extraordinary circumstances, the Director of the Division of Career and Technical Education may grant approval at a reduced funding amount.

12. (l)

    1. (1) The Division of Career and Technical Education state start-up funds are not available for secondary technical centers programs or programs of study.
    2. (2) Secondary technical centers shall contact the Office of Skills Development for availability of funds and for the separate application process and funding guidelines.

13. (m)

    1. (1) JAG new program start-up requests are accepted on a rolling basis through TANF or private support, as funds are made available.
    2. (2) Awards are based on guidelines provided by the national JAG office and the requirements defined by the funding source.
    3. (3) Please see https://dcte.ade.arkansas.gov//Page/SpecialProjects for additional details.
    4. (4) (4) Additional details about state start-up grants can be found on the division website at the following link: https://dcte.ade.arkansas.gov/Page/FundingAndAccountability.

Codification Notes: “CTE” means career technical education. "TANF" means Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.