Head Start

The Head Start program promotes school readiness by enhancing the cognitive, physical, behavioral, and social-emotional development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services to their enrollees -

Head Start prepares America's most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and in life beyond school. To achieve this, local Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. The Head Start program encompasses local Head Start Preschool programs, which primarily serve 3- and 4-year-old children, and local Early Head Start programs for infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. Local Head Start programs operate in every state, many tribal nations, and several U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. Head Start services are delivered nationwide through 1,600 agencies that tailor the federal program to the local needs of families in their service area.

Any government, federally-recognized Indian tribe, or public or private nonprofit or for profit agency which meets the requirements listed in a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) may apply for an award. However, applications will be considered only when submitted in response to a specific opportunity, published at the following website address: http://www.grants.gov, which solicits proposals to expand Head Start/Early Head Start programs or establish new ones. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from the merit review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity.

Local Head Start/Early Head Start programs are for children from birth up to the age when the child enters the school system. Head Start programs serve pre-school age children while Early Head Start programs serve children from birth through age three as well as pregnant women. The Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs are expanding access to high quality early learning and development opportunities for infants and toddlers from birth through age four. No less than 10 percent of each Head Start program's enrollment shall be for children with disabilities. At least 90 percent of the enrollees in a program must be income eligible; i.e., from families whose income is below the poverty line, from families receiving public assistance, from homeless families or children in foster care. Programs may serve an additional 35 percent of participants with incomes up to 130 percent of poverty if they can demonstrate that they already are meeting the needs of children below the poverty line in the area served. American Indian and Alaska Native programs may enroll additional over-income children if they enroll all children in their service area that are income eligible and predominantly serve children meeting the low income criteria. Training and technical assistance awards are available to Head Start programs.

See individual NOFOs for information on allowable costs.

Funds are available for a 12-month budget period and are released periodically based on recipient expenditures. Awards typically consist of a 5-year project period that includes five separate budget periods. Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds.

The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO(s).

Each application is reviewed against four factors: eligibility, the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their ranking are not binding, ACF does consider them when selecting projects for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.

This, depending on the nature of the proposal, can vary considerably from 90 days to as much as several months. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested. Once a decision is made, awards are issued by 10 Regional Offices that are geographically responsible for awards in certain states or territories. Awards to American Indian and Alaska Native, and Migrant and Seasonal programs are issued by the Central Office .

Office of Head Start informs recipients of the application procedures for renewal. Awards are made for a period of five years, during which the recipient is measured by criteria that could make it eligible for a new five year project. If the criteria are not met, the service area and funding becomes available through competition. Non-competing continuations are issued based on availability of an appropriation, satisfactory progress, compliance with the terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals in regards to disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.