Section 388.1627b - Grow your own program(1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2022-2023 only an amount not to exceed $20,000,000.00 and from the federal funding appropriated under section 11, there is allocated for 2022-2023 only an amount not to exceed $155,000,000.00 from the federal funding awarded to this state from the coronavirus state fiscal recovery fund under the American rescue plan act of 2021, title IX, sub title M of Public Law 117-2, to districts and intermediate districts for a grow your own program as described in subsection (2).(2) Districts and intermediate districts receiving funding under this section shall use the funding to implement a grow your own program. A grow your own program described in this subsection must be implemented to improve the teacher talent pipeline and provide a no-cost pathway for support staff members to become certified teachers. Allowable expenses for grow your own programs include, but are not limited to: (a) Tuition and fees for attendance at a state-approved education preparation provider for an accelerated degree, for a traditional bachelor's degree for current staff who are not teachers, or for an advanced degree. As used in this subdivision, "advanced degree" includes, but is not limited to, a postbaccalaureate credential or certificate.(d) Travel to and from coursework.(e) Substitute employee salary and wages for the duration of the educator preparation program attended by the recipient staff of the district or intermediate district.(f) Costs for curriculum, materials, professional development, and hands-on-learning experiences to implement a program within the district or intermediate district to encourage students in any of grades 6 through 12 to consider a career in education. Not more than 10% of funds received by a district or intermediate district under this section may be used for this purpose.(3) The department shall establish a grant process to distribute funds under this section. A district or intermediate school district must apply for funds in a form and manner prescribed by the department. As part of the application described in this subsection, a district or intermediate district must submit the following information and assurances: (a) Demonstrated need for funding in the district or intermediate district or the broader community, including projected workforce needs, and a proposed spending plan on how the funds will be utilized that includes expected tuition, fees, and books for the program.(b) Number of support staff projected to participate in a grow your own program described in this section.(c) For funds for the purposes described in subsection (2)(f), a description of the program being implemented and the number of students the program is intended to reach.(d) Assurances that the pathway will be no cost for participants and that participants will be compensated as an employee for the duration of their training, including a paid residency or student teaching.(e) Identification of eligible recipients and a pledge to hire an eligible recipient as a full-time teacher upon their receipt of an initial teaching certificate and provide for student teaching opportunities.(f) A pledge that, before providing funding under this section to an eligible recipient, the district or intermediate district will require that the eligible recipient pledge to serve as a full-time teacher at the district or intermediate district for at least the same number of years as the recipient participated in a grow your own program. If the district or intermediate district is unable to hire an eligible recipient as required under subdivision (e), the eligible recipient may serve the years the recipient pledged to serve under this subdivision at another district, intermediate district, or nonpublic school.(4) An individual may not concurrently receive funding for programs under this section and programs funded under sections 27a and 27c.(5) The federal funding allocated under this section is intended to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative impacts.(6) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.(7) The funds allocated under this section for 2022-2023 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2022-2023 are carried forward into 2023-2024. The purpose of the work project is to continue support for grow your own programs in districts and intermediate districts. The estimated completion date of the work project is December 31, 2026.Amended by 2023, Act 103,s 48, eff. 7/21/2023.Added by 2022, Act 144,s 38, eff. 10/1/2022.