(a) In each fiscal year for which funds are appropriated for purposes of the primary mental health program, the department shall establish a grant program for the purpose of providing funds to local and regional boards of education for the establishment of school-based programs for the detection and prevention of emotional, behavioral and learning problems in public school children primarily in grades kindergarten through grade three.

(b) The Commissioner of Education shall solicit grant applications from local and regional boards of education which shall be submitted annually to the commissioner at such time and on such forms as the commissioner prescribes. The commissioner shall issue not less than four grants by September fifteenth of each year. In determining if a board of education shall be granted funds pursuant to this section and sections 10-76v to 10-76x, inclusive, the commissioner shall consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to, the following factors: (1) Availability in the school and community of professional, paraprofessional, and other program staff with background and experience in early intervention; (2) availability of space to accommodate the program in an elementary school building; (3) demonstration of strong support by administrative personnel, teaching staff, pupil personnel staff and local community mental health centers; (4) reasonable evidence of future stability of the program and its personnel; and (5) the number of children enrolled in grades kindergarten to two, inclusive, in a school under the jurisdiction of such board of education experiencing behavioral, disciplinary or early school adjustment problems.

(a) Early detection and prevention programs funded under the provisions of sections 10-76u to 10-76x, inclusive, shall include (1) a component for systematic early detection and screening to identify children experiencing behavioral, disciplinary or early school adjustment problems, and (2) services that address such problems for children so identified. (b) Mental health professionals shall: (1) Supervise the acceptance of children into the program; and (2) utilize school and community resources to serve children not accepted for direct service. (c) Mental health professionals shall select, train and supervise paraprofessionals and community volunteers in program implementation. (d) Parental consent shall be obtained before a child may be accepted into an early detection and prevention program.