Federal Grant Award Summary

Duplin County Schools received a $1,678,815 Head Start Project Grant from the Office of Head Start (CFDA 93.600) effective July 1, 2026, with a completion date of June 30, 2031. This five-year award supports comprehensive early childhood education and family support services designed to promote school readiness among low-income children and families in North Carolina. The program delivers core services including educational instruction, health and nutritional support, social-emotional development programming, and family engagement initiatives tailored to the local needs of the Duplin County community.

As a school district recipient with established federal funding experience, Duplin County Schools will administer Head Start services that may encompass both traditional Head Start preschool programming for three- and four-year-old children and Early Head Start services for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. The recipient is required to provide a 20 percent non-federal match for the award and will be measured against federal performance standards related to school readiness outcomes, health and family well-being metrics, and compliance with applicable federal requirements. Non-competing continuation funding for subsequent budget periods will be available based on satisfactory progress and compliance with award terms and conditions.