For early education and care quality supports to improve and sustain educational quality among providers of early education and care and to assist early educators and providers in attaining higher levels of proficiency, skill and quality; provided, that funding may be used to incentivize public-private partnerships to implement reforms that lead to student success; provided further, that such partnership funding shall be administered in coordination with the department of elementary and secondary education, and preference shall be given to partnerships serving high percentages of high-needs students; provided further, that costs related to department personnel who support quality improvement may be funded from this item, including the department's licensing staff and other personnel who ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for inspections, monitoring and training; provided further, that funds from this item may support the Massachusetts universal pre-kindergarten program and early childhood mental health consultation services; provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any payment made to a school district shall be deposited with the treasurer of such city, town or regional school district and held as a separate account and shall be expended by the school committee of such city, town or regional school district without municipal appropriation; and provided further, that supports funded through this item may include, but not be limited to, development and purchase of curriculum, development and implementation of early childhood assessment systems, incentives for programs to recruit, develop and retain highly qualified educators, and payment of fees and direct assistance to programs seeking accreditation by agencies approved by the board of early education and care
