Section 50.1370  Qualified Partners

a)         The Department may enter into grant agreements, contracts, or intermediary agreements with Qualified Partners to implement the program.  The Department may award grants to Qualified Partners to provide grant funds to child care programs or contract with Qualified Partners to secure services to implement the Smart Start Workforce Grants program.

b)         An agreement with a Qualified Partner shall specify the Qualified Partner's responsibility, if any, for determining eligibility for grant funds and monitoring child care programs for compliance with program requirements.

c)         A Qualified Partner in this Section is defined as an entity collaborating with the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide services deemed necessary and appropriate to complete program objectives. 

(Source:  Added at 48 Ill. Reg. 14957, effective October 1, 2024)