Access to high-quality early child care and education is essential for the future success of young children. However, this access is often lacking in economically distressed communities. The Head Start Program strives to offset this disadvantage by raising the quality of early care and education programs throughout the United States.
Recently, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Office of Head Start (OHS) announced new grant funding opportunities for all Head Start and Early Head Start program types in the United States. Eligible recipients could receive anywhere from $500,000 to $2,000,000 for projects and materials that improve the quality of care they provide to children and families in their community.
If you are considering applying for one of these grant opportunities, you may have questions that need answers. What grant opportunities are available, and are you eligible to receive them? How much grant funding is available at this time? What can you spend your grant funding on, and how long will you have to spend it?
As a Corporate Champion of the National Head Start Association's Dollar Per Child Campaign, we proudly support Head Start's efforts to increase the quality of early care and education programs nationwide. In this article, we will answer your grant-related questions, help you apply for, and get the most out of this funding opportunity.
Keep reading to learn more about the three recently announced funding opportunities for Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
1. Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently announced the availability of $102 million in grant funding to help expand access to high-quality, comprehensive learning services for low-income infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. These grants will enhance the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of participating children and will help parents move toward self-sufficiency in their parental roles.
Who is eligible to receive the Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants?
Your eligibility to receive one of these grants depends on the type of grant you apply for.
Anyone applying for one of these grants must be a current Head Start or Early Head Start recipient or a non-recipient who wants to establish a new Head Start or Early Head Start program in their community. Also, anyone applying for the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grant must be a new or existing Head Start, Early Head Start, or Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership recipient.
You are also eligible to receive one of these grants if you are a:
- Nonprofit organization that does not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS
- Public housing authority or Indian housing authority
- Independent school district
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal government
- Community-based and faith-based organization
To view the complete list of eligibility requirements, visit the Grants.gov website.
How much funding can I receive with the Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants?
The recent Head Start and Early Head Start grant opportunities are available for programs across the United States. The amount of funding available for each State depends on several factors, including the proposed geographic area's need for high-quality early childhood education and family support services. You can use the funding calculator on the Administration for Children and Families website to determine the amount of funding you can receive.
The ACF will deliver approximately 60 awards during this phase of grant funding.
How do I apply for the Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants?
No matter the grant option you apply for, only high-quality applications will receive funding. Grantees will be chosen based on how well their proposed projects increase the enrollment of low-income families, the program's determination to provide teachers and staff with liveable wages, and how well the proposed projects meet the community's needs.
You can apply for any of the three grants or a combination of the three. However, you can only submit one application per service area, no matter how you choose to apply. To apply for the Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants, click here.
2. American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently released approximately $9 million in grant funding to expand access to high-quality, comprehensive early learning services for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and their families.
Who is eligible to receive the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants?
Anyone applying for one of these grants must be a current Head Start or Early Head Start recipient or a non-recipient who wants to establish a new Head Start or Early Head Start program in their community. You are also eligible to receive these grants if you operate a non-profit, private, community-based, or faith-based organization or are a Native American tribal organization or federally recognized Native American tribal government.
To view the complete list of eligibility requirements, visit the Grants.gov website.
How much funding can I receive with the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants?
Programs across the United States can apply for a receive any of these grant opportunities. The amount of funding available for each State depends on several factors, including the proposed geographic area's need for early childhood education and family support services. The Administration for Children and Families website has a funding calculator that you can use to determine the amount of funding you are eligible to receive.
The ACF will deliver approximately five awards during this phase of grant funding.
How do I apply for the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants?
No matter the grant option you apply for, only high-quality applications will receive funding. Grantees will be chosen based on how well their proposed projects increase the enrollment of programs that serve American Indian and Alaska Native families, the program's determination to provide teachers and staff with liveable wages, and how well the proposed projects meet the community's needs.
You can apply for any of these grants that best fit your needs. However, you can only submit one application per service area, no matter how you choose to apply. To apply for the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start Expansion, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants, click here.
3. Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Expansion and Migrant and Seasonal Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Expansion Grant
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently announced the availability of approximately $14 million in grant funding to expand access to high-quality, comprehensive early learning services for Migrant and Seasonal infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and their families.
Who is eligible to receive the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Expansion and Migrant and Seasonal Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Expansion Grant?
You are eligible to receive these grants if you operate a non-profit, private, community-based, or faith-based organization. You are also eligible to receive one of these grants if you are a:
- Nonprofit organization that does not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS
- Public housing authority or Indian housing authority
- Independent school district
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal government
To view the complete list of eligibility requirements, visit the Grants.gov website.
How much funding can I receive with the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Expansion and Migrant and Seasonal Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Expansion Grant?
Programs across the United States can apply for any of these grant opportunities. The amount of funding available for each State depends on several factors, including the proposed geographic area's need for early childhood education and family support services. You can use the funding calculator on the Administration for Children and Families website to determine the amount of funding you are eligible to receive.
The ACF will deliver approximately seven awards during this phase of grant funding.
How do I apply for the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Expansion and Migrant and Seasonal Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Expansion Grants?
No matter the grant option you apply for, only high-quality applications will receive funding. Grantees will be chosen based on how well their proposed projects increase the enrollment of programs that serve Migrant and Seasonal families, the program's determination to provide teachers and staff with liveable wages, and how well the proposed projects meet the community's needs.
Please note that you can only submit one application per service area, no matter how you choose to apply. To apply for the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Expansion and Migrant and Seasonal Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Expansion Grants, click here.
When will I receive grant funding, and how long will I have to spend it?
Applications for each of these grants will close on May 14, 2024. The ACF will email you when they receive your application and if you will receive funding. They anticipate delivering awards soon after the closing of applications so you can start your grant-funded projects by September 30, 2024.
If you receive this grant award, you may get up to five years and 4-6 budget periods to complete your grant-funded projects. Once the five years are up, the Office of Head Start will determine if your grant is complete or if it will continue with or without competition.
What can I purchase with these Head Start and Early Head Start grant opportunities?
With a Head Start or Early Head Start Expansion Grant, you can add new services to your program or expand your existing services. This can include the following projects and classroom additions:
- Opening additional child care slots within a new or existing center-based classroom or family child care home
- Adding new classrooms to an existing center
- Establishing a new center or family child care home
- Providing appropriate wages and comprehensive benefits to teachers and staff
- Purchasing classroom furnishings that enrich classroom environments and encourage learning through play
- Adding developmentally appropriate manipulatives and books to classroom learning centers that provide high-quality educational experiences for children of all ages
- Providing educators with assessment materials that help them detect developmental delays that may require specialist interventions or classroom support
- Facilitating the use of professional learning solutions that can improve the care your teachers and staff provide for the children in your program
What happens next?
With the support of this grant funding, you can expand your services and provide a higher quality of early childhood education for children in your community. For more information on the types of projects, furnishings, and materials these funding opportunities cover, please contact your local Kaplan Sales Representative. They will be happy to answer your questions and guide you through this decision-making process.
