H - Facilities, Materials and Equipment

H - 001 What are the requirements regarding when a grantee must get prior approval before purchasing equipment?

H - 002 Can a grantee that provides land for a Head Start program to build a facility that will be paid by federal funds use the value of the land as in-kind?

H - 003 Is the use of Head Start facilities (in which there is a Federal interest) by community organizations, including faith based organizations, during hours that Head Start is not using them allowed? If allowed, are there any special conditions that pertain?

H - 004 State daycare rules and Head Start’s rules sometimes differ. Which rule must Head Start programs comply with? Why?

H - 005 Are helmets required when using small trikes and/or group strollers?

H - 006 Are Head Start Programs required to have annual playground safety trainings even though it is not required by the state where they are located?

H - 001 What are the requirements regarding when a grantee must get prior approval before purchasing equipment?

OHS – PC – H - 001
What are the requirements regarding when a grantee must get prior approval before purchasing equipment?

Equipment is defined as any item with a life expectancy of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. A grantee must receive prior approval from its responsible Regional Office before purchasing any equipment that is valued at $25,000 or more.

Requirement

2 CFR 215.25 (c)(6); 2 CFR 225, Appendix B (15); 2 CFR 230, Appendix B (15)(b); ACF Grants Policy Statement, Part II-1 (incorporated into terms and conditions of all Head Start grant awards)

May 22, 2007

H - 002 Can a grantee that provides land for a Head Start program to build a facility that will be paid by federal funds use the value of the land as in-kind?

OHS – PC – H - 002
Can a grantee that provides land for a Head Start program to build a facility that will be paid by federal funds use the value of the land as in-kind?

Yes, as long as the land’s value has been recently established and the size of the land is appropriate to the proposed facility; i.e. a 200 acre parcel of land is not appropriate for a two classroom facility. The land’s value should be amortized over the expected life of the building and the grantee may claim the annual amortization as non-federal share.

Requirement

2 CFR 215.23 (h)(1); 45 CFR 92.24 (e)

June 19, 2007

H - 003 Is the use of Head Start facilities (in which there is a Federal interest) by community organizations, including faith based organizations, during hours that Head Start is not using them allowed? If allowed, are there any special conditions that pertain?

OHS – PC – H - 003
Is the use of Head Start facilities (in which there is a Federal interest) by community organizations, including faith based organizations, during hours that Head Start is not using them allowed? If allowed, are there any special conditions that pertain?

A Head Start grantee may permit a community organization, including a faith based organization, to use a Head Start facility (in which there is Federal interest) when it is not in use for Head Start purposes. For example, a community organization could be allowed to hold a class in the evening in a Head Start classroom. If there are costs to the grantee, such as heating, lighting or other utilities, OHS expects the Head Start grantee to collect reasonable compensation for those costs.

Informal Guidance

June 26, 2007

H - 004 State daycare rules and Head Start’s rules sometimes differ. Which rule must Head Start programs comply with? Why?

OHS – PC – H - 004
State daycare rules and Head Start’s rules sometimes differ. Which rule must Head Start programs comply with? Why?

If State law or local requirements are more comprehensive or more stringent than federal requirements, State law or local requirements must be followed.

Requirement

45 CFR 1306.30 (c)

July 13, 2007

H - 005 Are helmets required when using small trikes and/or group strollers?

OHS – PC – H - 005
Are helmets required when using small trikes and/or group strollers?

No, unless it is a state licensing requirement.

Informal Guidance

July 31, 2007

H - 006 Are Head Start Programs required to have annual playground safety trainings even though it is not required by the state where they are located?

OHS – PC – H - 006
Are Head Start Programs required to have annual playground safety trainings even though it is not required by the state where they are located?

No, this is not a Head Start requirement.

Informal Guidance

July 31, 2007