Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Communities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | HHS 2024 ACF OHS HP R3 0072

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2024 ACF OHS HP R3 0072

The Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2024-ACF-OHS-HP-R3-0072) is a discretionary grant competition administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start. It is aimed specifically at communities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and makes about $6,914,508 available in total, with ACF expecting to make roughly two awards. The central goal is to increase the supply of high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services for low-income infants and toddlers and their families, either by expanding existing Early Head Start (EHS) slots and services or by building and strengthening Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships that connect Early Head Start standards and supports with child care settings.

The program focus is on improving access to services that are not just custodial child care, but a full Early Head Start model of supports for very young children and their caregivers. In practice, that means funding is intended to help communities serve more eligible children ages birth to three by delivering comprehensive early learning and development services alongside family support and other coordinated services typically associated with Early Head Start. Applicants can propose to expand Early Head Start services directly, or they can propose EHS-CC Partnership approaches that blend the Early Head Start framework with participating child care partners to extend the reach of quality infant-toddler care for families who need it most.

Eligibility is broad but specific. ACF is soliciting applications from public entities and a range of private organizations that meet the eligibility requirements in section 645A(d) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840A(d)). Eligible applicant types include state, county, and city or township governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); and small businesses, as reflected in the opportunity’s applicant eligibility list. At the same time, the notice makes clear that eligibility is limited to organizations that can actually provide Early Head Start services to children and families. Organizations already operating Head Start programs are explicitly permitted to operate Early Head Start programs as well, which can be important for communities looking to expand a proven provider’s footprint into infant and toddler services.

There are also firm exclusions. Applications from individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not eligible and will be disqualified from merit review. Foreign entities are also not eligible. These restrictions underscore that ACF is looking for organizations with the infrastructure, governance, and service delivery capacity to run Early Head Start or manage formal partnerships aligned with the Early Head Start performance expectations.

Faith-based and community organizations are specifically encouraged to apply as long as they meet the same eligibility requirements as any other applicant. The opportunity emphasizes nondiscrimination in recipient selection based on religious character or affiliation, and it references the relevant protections and requirements that apply to faith-based applicants (including 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.). In other words, faith-based organizations can compete on equal footing, but they must still comply with the applicable federal rules attached to the funding.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized under Income Security and Social Services and is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing 93.600 (Head Start). The original application closing date listed is March 26, 2024. For prospective applicants seeking additional information tied to this specific competition, ACF provides an inquiry contact via email at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com.

• The Administration for Children and Families - OHS in the income security and social services, oz sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Communities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.600.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-01-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $6,914,508.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for HHS 2024 ACF OHS HP R3 0072

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