Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Alabama | HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R4 0118

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R4 0118

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Head Start (OHS), is planning to award discretionary grant funding to select new or replacement recipients to operate Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs in multiple defined service areas across Alabama. The opportunity is aimed at ensuring eligible young children and their families continue to receive comprehensive early childhood services, and it is structured as a competitive process where organizations propose how they will deliver required Head Start and Early Head Start program services within the specific communities listed by OHS.

This announcement is a forecast notice that has been updated to revise the estimated posting date and the estimated application due date, signaling that the final Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) may still change before it is formally issued. Because the available service areas are described as projections, applicants should expect that the number of communities, the boundaries of service areas, and the associated funding levels could be adjusted prior to the official NOFO release. OHS directs applicants to the linked additional information page (referenced in the opportunity posting) to review the current list of Alabama service areas and funding amounts, and to monitor for updates as they are posted.

A wide range of applicant types are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city/township governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); and for-profit organizations, including small businesses. This broad eligibility reflects Head Start's long-standing model of being delivered by diverse community entities that can meet federal program standards and demonstrate the capacity to manage grants, provide high-quality early learning services, and deliver the broader family supports required under the Head Start Act and related regulations.

The assistance listing tied to this opportunity is CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 93.600, which is the primary federal assistance listing for Head Start. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Income Security and Social Services, consistent with Head Start's role in supporting school readiness while also connecting families to health, nutrition, and social service supports. The opportunity anticipates an award ceiling of $17,437,816 and projects roughly 8 awards, which generally indicates multiple community service areas will be funded, potentially with different award sizes depending on the local service area scope and enrollment expectations.

The original closing date shown is December 14, 2023, and the application deadline language specifies that electronically submitted applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the listed due date. Applicants should treat the due date in the final NOFO as controlling, since the forecast explicitly notes revised estimated dates and the final posting can adjust timelines. For questions or clarification while preparing to apply, OHS points applicants to the OHS Operations Center email at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com, which is the contact channel for additional information related to this competition and the Alabama service area listings.

In practical terms, this competition is best understood as an opportunity for qualified organizations to propose operating Head Start and/or Early Head Start in specific Alabama communities under federal performance and program standards. Strong applications typically demonstrate local need, readiness to serve the eligible population within the defined service area, robust governance and fiscal controls, staffing and facilities capacity, and an implementation plan that meets Head Start requirements for early learning, health, family engagement, and comprehensive services. Monitoring the official service area list and any pre-NOFO updates is important, because the final competition details (service areas, funding amounts, and deadlines) may change before the formal funding notice is issued under opportunity number HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R4 0118.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Alabama" 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 Oct 12, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 14, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 pm Eastern Standard Time on the listed application due date.. (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 $17,437,816.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 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 CH R4 0118

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