For operational grants to child care providers; provided, that for fiscal year 2026 funds shall be distributed in accordance with the formula established in section 20 of chapter 15D of the General Laws; provided further, that funds from this item shall be expended in coordination with funds from item 3000--1045; provided further, that the department shall collect data from participating programs, including, but not limited to: (i) the number of enrolled children; (ii) the number of educators employed; (iii) efforts to recruit and retain employees; (iv) any available demographic data of the families served by participating providers; (v) to the extent feasible, the income level of the families served by participating providers; (vi) the amount awarded to each provider; and (vii) the amount of operational grants spent by provider, delineated by category of spending including, but not limited to: (a) salaries; (b) other compensation; (c) workforce training; and (d) facilities improvements; provided further, that programs shall respond to all data collection requests and surveys from the department to be eligible for said grants; provided further, that funds may be expended for departmental technical assistance related to the administration and distribution of said grants; provided further, that administrative costs for the program shall not exceed 2 per cent of the total appropriation for said program; and provided further, that the department shall report such data to the joint committee on education, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance on a quarterly basis
| | Education and Transportation Fund | ............... | 100% |
