§ 9858b — Lead Agency

(a) The Governor of a State desiring to receive a grant under this subchapter shall designate an agency (which may be an appropriate collaborative agency), or establish a joint interagency office, that complies with the requirements of subsection (b) to serve as the lead agency for the State under this subchapter. (1) The lead agency shall— (A) administer, directly or through other governmental or nongovernmental agencies, the financial assistance received under this subchapter by the State; (B) develop the State plan to be submitted to the Secretary under section 9858c(a) of this title; (C) in conjunction with the development of the State plan as required under subparagraph (B), hold at least one hearing in the State with sufficient time and Statewide distribution of the notice of such hearing, to provide to the public an opportunity to comment on the provision of child care services under the State plan; (D) coordinate the provision of services under this subchapter with other Federal, State and local child care and early childhood development programs; and (E) at the option of an Indian tribe or tribal organization in the State, collaborate and coordinate with such Indian tribe or tribal organization in the development of the State plan in a timely manner. (2) In the development of the State plan described in paragraph (1)(B), the lead agency shall consult with appropriate representatives of units of general purpose local government.