Federal Grant Award Summary

The School Board of Charlotte County Florida received a $2.89 million Head Start Project Grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF), awarded on March 1, 2026, for a five-year performance period extending through February 28, 2031. Under the Head Start program (CFDA 93.600), the School Board delivers comprehensive early childhood education and family support services designed to promote school readiness among low-income children. The award funds educational, health, nutritional, social, and other support services tailored to Charlotte County's community needs, encompassing both Head Start preschool programs serving primarily 3- and 4-year-old children and Early Head Start programs serving infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.

As an experienced Head Start recipient with over $20 million in previous Head Start grants, the School Board leverages federal funding to enhance cognitive, physical, behavioral, and social-emotional development while emphasizing parental engagement as a core component of service delivery. The grant supports local Head Start agency operations across multiple service areas, enabling the School Board to meet federal performance standards related to school readiness outcomes, health and family well-being metrics, and compliance requirements. The School Board's Head Start services complement its existing federally-funded nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program and Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, creating an integrated approach to supporting vulnerable families in the region.