Head start and early head start

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis $17.509555 million on November 1, 2025, under the Head Start program (CFDA 93.600) to deliver comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutritional, social, and family support services through a Project Grant.

The award funds Head Start and Early Head Start services in Missouri for a five-year period of performance through October 31, 2030. Head Start serves preschool-age children (primarily 3- and 4-year-olds), while Early Head Start serves infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. The program promotes school readiness by enhancing cognitive, physical, behavioral, and social-emotional development while engaging parents as partners in service delivery.

Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is a Black American-owned, tax-exempt nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Louis and registered in SAM.gov since May 17, 2005. The organization operates as a community development corporation dedicated to empowering African Americans and others in the St. Louis region to achieve economic self-reliance and social equality through federal grant-funded social services, early childhood education, workforce development, and community development initiatives.

This award represents a five-year non-competing continuation under Head Start renewal procedures. Recipients must meet performance criteria during the award period to remain eligible for continuation funding. Awards are subject to satisfactory progress, compliance with terms and conditions, and a determination that continuation is in the best interest of the federal government.