(1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated $14,000,000.00 for 2023-2024 only to intermediate districts or consortia of intermediate districts to administer 10 MiFamily Engagement Centers across this state.

    (2) Each eligible intermediate district or consortia of intermediate districts must apply for funding in a form and manner determined by the department. The department must award funding under this section to intermediate districts or consortia of intermediate districts in a way that optimizes the implementation and administration of 10 MiFamily Engagement Centers across this state.

    (3) Funds awarded under subsection (1) must be used by MiFamily Engagement Centers for the following purposes:

    (a) Supporting compensation and required travel for coordinators and coaches of the MiFamily Engagement Centers.

    (b) Launching activities, including, but not limited to, training, coaching, technical assistance, resource development, and online learning modules.

    (c) Other activities determined by the department to be necessary for the success of the MiFamily Engagement Centers.

    (4) Notwithstanding section 18a, funds allocated under subsection (1) may be available for expenditure until September 30, 2027. A recipient of funding under subsection (1) must return any unexpended funds to the department in the manner prescribed by the department not later than October 30, 2027.

    (5) In addition to the funds allocated in subsection (1), from the state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated for 2023-2024 only an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00 to implement a statewide campaign to share how parents can support early literacy for children from birth to grade 5.

    (a) Funding under this subsection must be awarded by the department, in a form and manner determined by the department, to the intermediate districts or consortia of intermediate districts described in subsection (2).

    (b) Each recipient intermediate district or consortia of intermediate districts receiving funding under this subsection must use those funds through the MiFamily Engagement Centers to expand parental knowledge regarding literacy instruction practices; to raise awareness of and participation in local great start collaborative and family coalitions; to raise awareness of the availability of before, during, and after school literacy support programs, and to build on the existing practices of the regional literacy hubs and the MiFamily Engagement Centers.

    (6) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.