Federal Grant Award Summary

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, Inc. received a $15.35 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Head Start under the Head Start program (CFDA 93.600). The award, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, funds comprehensive early childhood education and support services delivered to disadvantaged children and families throughout Illinois. The funded services encompass educational instruction, health screenings and support, nutritional programs, social services, and family well-being activities designed to enhance cognitive, physical, behavioral, and social-emotional development in preparation for school readiness.

As an established non-profit provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services since 2006, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago will deliver services targeting three distinct populations: preschool-aged children (ages 3-4) through Head Start programming, and infants, toddlers, and pregnant women through Early Head Start initiatives. The organization's service delivery model emphasizes family engagement and partnership while tailoring federal program components to address local needs in the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding regions. Award recipients must demonstrate satisfactory progress and compliance throughout the five-year project period to maintain eligibility for non-competing continuation funding.