Federal Grant Award Summary

Missouri Ozarks Community Action Inc. received a $2,861,550 Project Grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families under the Head Start program (CFDA 93.600), effective February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2031. This five-year award funds comprehensive early childhood education and family support services designed to promote school readiness among low-income children. The organization will deliver Head Start and Early Head Start services tailored to the needs of families in Missouri, encompassing educational, health, nutritional, social, and other support services for infants, toddlers, preschool-age children (primarily 3- and 4-year-olds), and pregnant women.

The award supports the core Head Start service delivery model, which emphasizes parental engagement and addresses cognitive, physical, behavioral, and social-emotional development. As an experienced non-profit community action agency, Missouri Ozarks Community Action Inc. will operate local Head Start programs within its service area while maintaining compliance with federal performance standards related to school readiness outcomes, health and family well-being metrics, and all applicable federal requirements. The organization is required to provide a 20 percent non-federal match for this funding during the project period.