1.  Application.  Representatives of the governing bodies of publicly supported educational institutions may file an application with the commissioner for the purpose of entering into a collaborative agreement. A collaborative partnership is governed by a collaborative board formed and operating in accordance with this chapter. The participation of publicly supported educational institutions in any of the specified educational functions or support services included in the collaborative agreement is voluntary. A collaborative board may designate personnel of the publicly supported educational institutions or service providers to provide the specified educational functions or support services included in the collaborative agreement. The collaborative board must include one representative from each publicly supported educational institution participating in the collaborative partnership.  

2.  Contract.  The career and technical education center or region may enter into a contract with a service provider that operates as a nonprofit organization to provide technical assistance in developing and implementing the initial phase of the dual enrollment program. The service provider selected must meet the specified educational functions, support services and all other requirements of the grant application as required by the department to facilitate the development and implementation of the dual enrollment career and technical education program.