Head Start

Invitation to Apply for FY 1995 Early - Head Start Program Funds
ACYF-PI-HS-95-06

NOTICE: This Issuance has been withdrawn or superseded. It is provided for historical reference only and has no current applicability or effect.

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PROGRAM INSTRUCTION [See attachment at the bottom]

TO: Grantees with Parent and Child Center Programs

SUBJECT: Invitation to Apply for FY 1995 Early - Head Start Program Funds

LEGAL AND RELATED REFERENCES : Section 645A of The Head Start Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9831.

NEW FUNDS AVAILABLE :

Attached is a Program Announcement requesting applications to operate new Early Head Start programs. Section 645A of the Head Start Act provides that entities that may apply to carry out activities under the requirements of this Program Announcement include programs receiving financial assistance to operate a Parent and Child Center Program (PCC). Thus, current PCC grantees that wish to may submit an application to operate an Early Head Start program.

PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 1997:

Section 645A also provides that all PCC grantees shall continue to receive financial assistance in fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 1997 provided that they meet the requirements outlined in Section 645A(b)(l)-(S) of the Head Start Act. If a satisfactory level of performance is maintained, financial assistance to each PCC grantee will continue through FY 1997 regardless of whether or not the PCC grantee agency applies for an Early Head Start program grant.

CONVERSION OF PCC AWARDS INTO EARLY HEAD START AWARDS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT:

Successful applicants for Early Head Start programs will have their current PCC grants replaced by new Early Head Start grants. A grantee's PCC project period will be replaced by a new Early Head Start project period that extends a full five years through FY 1999.

Should the applicant propose a program that is larger or more comprehensive than the current PCC program, the successful applicant may receive an Early Head Start award that exceeds the amount of their current PCC award. There is, however, no guarantee that a successful PCC applicant will receive a new Early Head Start grant that is greater than or comparable to the size of their current award. ACYF reserves the right to negotiate grant sizes with all top-ranked Early Head Start applicants during the pre-award phase. The new Early Head Start programs will be funded through the national Head Start Bureau rather than through the Regional Offices.

Unsuccessful PCC grantee agency applicants will continue to receive assistance through FY 1997 provided that they meet the requirements outlined in Section 645A(b)(l)-(B) of the Head Start Act. In addition, unsuccessful PCC applicants may re-compete, to become an Early Head Start program as new funds become available.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

There are no special restrictions on PCC grantees applying for Early Head Start funds. Thus, you may propose a program similar to your current PCC program in both design and funding level, or propose a program which differs, either in whole or in part, in design and/or funding level. In either case, the proposed program must meet the requirements detailed in the attached Program Announcement. Please note that the program size requirement specified in Part II, Section E of the attached Program Announcement pertains to all Early Head Start applicants, including PCC grantee agency applicants. Thus a PCC grantee applicant generally should not propose a total enrollment which exceeds 150 families. For example, a PCC grantee agency applicant with a current PCC enrollment of 100 families may generally propose to add up to 50 slots under the auspices of their new Early Head Start program. The total enrollment would then become 150 Early Head Start program family slots. Applicants may also propose to reduce or hold constant their current PCC enrollment size provided the requirements of Part II, Section E of the Program Announcement are observed.

INQUIRIES:

Questions ON this Program Instruction should be referred to the PCC Project officer, Denice Glover on 202-205-8552.

/S/
Olivia A. Golden
Commissioner

cc: Regional Administrators, ACF, Regions I-X American Indian and Migrant Program Branches

Attachment:

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Dear Colleague:

I am pleased to announce the availability of funds for Early Head Start. As you know, the 1994 Head Start Reauthorization provides new funds for a program to provide early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive services to low-income pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. The program, which we are calling Early Head Start, is designed to promote the development of the children and to support parents and assist then in moving toward self-sufficiency. Funding is being made available on a competitive basis to public and private non-profit agencies.

Attached is a copy of the program announcement. I hope you will share this with others who may be interested in applying to become an Early Head Start program.

Sincerely,

/S/
Olivia A. Golden
Commissioner
Administration on Children,
Youth and Families