93.709

:010 PROGRAM TITLE: 93.709 ARRA – EARLY HEAD START

 

:020 POPULAR NAME (Abbreviated Name): EHS, Recovery Act.

:030 FEDERAL AGENCY: Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services

:040 AUTHORIZATION: Head Start Act, as amended by the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-134); American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).

:050 OBJECTIVES: This funding was appropriated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5). This funding will provide economic stimulus to the nation while furthering the ACF mission to promote the development of infant and toddler age children. The objective of the Early Head Start program is to enhance the cognitive, social and emotional development of low-income children, including children on federally recognized reservations and children of migratory farm workers, through the provision of comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social and other services and to involve parents in their children’s learning and to help parents make progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Head Start also emphasizes the significant involvement of parents in the administration of their local Head Start programs.

:060 TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Project Grants

:070 USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: At least 90 percent of the enrollees in a program must be income eligible, i.e., from families whose income is below the poverty line, from families receiving public assistance, from homeless families or children in foster care. Up to 10 percent of the funding is for training and technical assistance grants and up to 3 percent is for monitoring the program.

:080 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

:081 Applicant Eligibility: Any local government, public or private nonprofit, Indian tribe or for-profit agency or higher education institution which meets the requirements may apply for a grant to expand the Early Head Start program as described in section 645A of the Head Start Act. Grantee agencies may subcontract with other child-serving agencies to provide services to Head Start children.

:082 Beneficiary Eligibility: Early Head Start programs serve children from birth through age three and pregnant women. No less than 10 percent of each Head Start program's enrollment shall be for children with disabilities. At least 90 percent of the enrollees in a program must be income eligible, i.e., from families whose income is below the poverty line, from families receiving public assistance, from homeless families or children in foster care.

:083 Credentials/Documentation: Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of nonprofit status. Applicable costs and administrative procedures will be determined in accordance with Part 74 and 92 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

:090 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

:091 Preapplication Coordination: Applications will be considered only when submitted in response to a specific announcement, published online at Grants.gov or on the ACF website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_hsb.html, which solicits proposals to establish new Early Head Start Programs or increase enrollment in current programs. The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS must be used for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) in his or her State for more information on the process. (NOTE: State/territory participation in the intergovernmental review process does not signify applicant eligibility for financial assistance under a program. A potential applicant must meet the eligibility requirements of the program for which it is applying prior to submitting an application to its SPOC.)

:092 Application Procedure: Prepare and submit applications according to the instructions provided in the applicable ARRA Funding Opportunity Announcement which can be found online at Grants.gov or on the ACF website:  http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_hsb.html. The Office of Head Start will provide each applicant agency with a completed check list form showing exactly which items must be completed by each applicant and delegate agency.

:093 Award Procedure: All funds are awarded directly to existing and/or new grantees. Funds for local Early Head Start programs, including a portion of training and technical assistance funds, are awarded by the Office of Head Start's Regional Offices. Funds for the following are awarded by the Central Office of Head Start: American Indian/Alaskan Native programs; Migrant and Seasonal programs; and some training and technical assistance efforts.

:094 Deadlines: Applications for new projects should be submitted at the times specified by the announcement published via the Internet at Grants.gov or on the ACF website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/grants_hsb.html.

:095 Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: This timeframe can vary considerably, from 90 days to as much as several months depending on the nature of the proposal.

:096 Appeals: There is no appeal for new grant denials.

:097 Renewals: OHS Headquarters or Regional Offices will inform grantees of the application procedures for renewal.

:100 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

:101 Formula and Matching Requirements: Head Start grantees are required to provide 20 percent of the total cost of the program, although this may be waived wholly or in part if certain conditions pertain. Matching share may be in cash or in-kind fairly evaluated.

:102 Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Funds awarded under the authority of ARRA are available for obligation through September 30, 2010. Funds are released by monthly allowance on an Electronic Transfer System or by monthly check. Semiannual financial and annual program reports are required.

:110 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

:111 Reports: Semiannual financial and annual program reports are required. Funded grantees must submit quarterly reports required by Section 1512 of the Recovery Act.

:112 Audits: Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR, Parts 74 and 92.

:113 Records: Grantee must maintain an accounting system adequate to meet the purposes of the grant. Requirements for records are found in 45 CFR, Part 74 and 92.

:120 FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

:121 Account Identification: 75-1537-0-1-506. TAFS: 75-0910-1537.

:122 Obligations: (Grants and contacts) FY 08 $0; FY 09 $550,000,000; FY 10 est. $550,000,000.

:123 Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $700,000 to $5,000,000; $965,000

:130 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Since 1965, Head Start has served more than 25 million children from low income families in 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Outer Pacific. The program has provided education, health, nutrition and social services to the target population. In fiscal year 2008, there were 1,604 grantees funded to provide Head Start grantees. We estimate in FY 2009 (and FY 2010) there will be 1,800 grantees.

:140 REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Chapter XIII of Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations, including 45 CFR 1301 – 1311. These are electronically at the following ACF website: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Program%20Design%20and%20Management/Head%20Start%20Requirements/Head%20Start%20Requirements.

:150 INFORMATION CONTACTS:

:151 Regional or Local Office: Contact the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start Regional Program Manager (See Appendix IV of the Catalog under the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families).

:152 Headquarters Office: Office of Head Start, Portals Building, 1250 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C, 20024. Telephone: (202) 401-8573.

:153 Web Site Address: http://www2.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb.

:160 RELATED PROGRAMS: 93.600, Head Start; 93.708, ARRA - Head Start; 10.550, Food Donation.

:170 EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: (1) Full-Year and Full-Day Head Start Programs; (2) Full-Year and Part-Day Head Start Programs; and (3) Part-Year and Part-Day Head Start Programs.

:180 CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: The degree to which the proposed project will meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards located on the ACF website: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Program%20Design%20and%20Management/Head%20Start%20Requirements/Head%20Start%20Requirements and other program objectives as specified in the program announcement.