Arizona Revised Statutes Title 8. Child Safety § 8-1161. Responsibilities of regional partnership councils

A. Each regional partnership council shall identify the assets available for early childhood development and health programs in its region, including opportunities for coordination and use of other available funding sources.

B. Based on that information, each regional partnership council shall identify and prioritize the unmet need for early childhood development and health programs in its region.

C. Each regional partnership council shall submit a report detailing assets, coordination opportunities and unmet needs to the board biannually. The regional partnership council's needs and assets assessment shall be forwarded to the board for final approval no later than September 1 of each even-numbered year, beginning in 2008. The board shall have discretion to approve or reject a council's assessment in whole or in part or to require revisions. The board shall act on all needs and assets assessments no later than October 1 of each even-numbered year, beginning in 2008.

D. Each regional partnership council shall annually develop a regional plan for the expenditure, during the next fiscal year, of funds budgeted by the board pursuant to 8-1184 to meet the needs identified in its region.

E. After its regional plan has been approved by the board, each regional partnership council shall conduct the approved programs directly and/or make the approved grants pursuant to § 8-1173.

F. The board may, on a finding of good cause, approve needs and assets assessments and regional funding plans received after the deadlines set forth in this section, including revised assessments or plans re-submitted in response to board action revising or rejecting a submitted assessment or plan.

G. Each regional partnership council shall increase parents' and providers' access to information about early childhood development and health programs. Methods for meeting this requirement include:

H. Each regional partnership council may solicit private funds from individuals, corporations and foundations to support its efforts to improve the quality of and access to early childhood development and health programs in its region. The board must approve any gifts received in response to council solicitations. Approved gifts shall be deposited into the private gifts account of the early childhood development and health fund pursuant to § 8-1182.