(a) The Arkansas Early Childhood Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities and shall annually report its progress toward the following:
(1) Advising the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education on the administration of the Arkansas Child Care Facilities Loan Guarantee Trust Fund;
(2) Providing technical assistance in the design of training programs to enhance the skills of professionals in early childhood programs, including the development of an annual comprehensive training plan for providers;
(3) Examining the recommendations of national and regional groups and systems producing scientifically proven and cost-effective results used by others to provide child care and early childhood services;
(4) Assisting in the development of a comprehensive long-range plan for the expansion, development, and implementation of early childhood programs in Arkansas, including recommending the allocation and expenditures of funds appropriated to the Arkansas Better Chance Program;
(5) Facilitating coordination and communication among state agencies providing early childhood programs in order to promote nonduplication and coordination of services in the programs and recommending a structure for the administration of the currently existing programs and the recommended programs;
(6) Advising the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and other appropriate state agencies on the development of programmatic standards for early childhood programs to be funded with funds appropriated to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education or to such other state agencies as may receive appropriations for such purposes;
(7) Promoting strong local community support for early childhood education programs;
(8) Promoting public awareness of child care and early childhood programs; and
(9) From the applications submitted, making Child Care Appeal Review Panel selections from persons who meet the qualifications for service and who exhibit a willingness and time commitment to serve on the panel.
(b) The Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education shall assist the commission in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.