As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. (1) Council or early childhood council means an early childhood council identified or established locally in communities throughout the state pursuant to section 26.5-2-203 or 26.5-5-102 for the purpose of developing and ultimately implementing a comprehensive system of early childhood services to ensure the school readiness of children five years of age or younger in the community.
2. (2) County department means the county or district department of human or social services.
3. (3) Early childhood education program means a child care program licensed pursuant to part 3 of article 5 of this title 26.5 that provides child care and education to children five years of age or younger.
4. (4) Fund means the early childhood cash fund created in section 26.5-2-209 (1).

Source: L. 2022: Entire article added with relocations, (HB 22-1295), ch. 123, p. 595, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2025: (4) added, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p. 2083, § 235, effective August 6.

Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 26-6.5-101.5 as it existed prior to 2022.