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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

84.213:  Even Start: State Educational Agencies

Objectives:  To help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy and improve the educational opportunities of low-income families, by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

84.213 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  State educational agencies (SEAs). The subgrantees are partnerships of a local educational agency (LEA) and a nonprofit community-based organization, a public agency other than an LEA, an institution of higher education or other public or private nonprofit organizations. Any of the latter, with demonstrated quality, may apply in collaboration with a LEA.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Parents eligible for participation under the Adult Education Act and their children aged birth through seven. Families must be in need of Even Start services, as indicated by a low income level and low level of adult literacy or English language proficiency, or other need-related indicators.

Credentials/Documentation:  None.

84.213 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  In 1996, State educational agencies submitted State plans to the Department of Education in accordance with requirements in Section 14302 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and guidance by the Department.

Award Procedure:  The Department of Education awards grants to SEAs on a formula basis. SEAs award subgrants on the basis of selection criteria and priorities in Section 1208 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended. SEAs make awards based on applicant scores.

Deadlines:  Deadlines for subgrantees are set by each SEA.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Varies with each State.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  Federal formula funds are awarded to SEAs annually. Subgrants are for up to four years with annual renewals subject to approval of the SEA and the availability of funds. After the subgrant ends, an applicant may reapply for a new subgrant, but may not receive funds for longer than 8 years.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  SEAs apply their own criteria to select subgrantees most likely to succeed in meeting the purpose of Even Start and in effectively implementing the program elements in Section 1205 and the requirements in Section 1208(a)(1) and (2), Part B, Title I of ESEA. SEAs must give priority to projects that target services to the neediest families or to projects that are located in areas designated as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities under Public Law 103.66.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Fiscal year 1995 projects include Project Even Start in Brooklyn, New York, a family-centered education program to assist children in reaching their potential as learners, to provide literacy training for their parents, and to help parents become partners with the schools in the education of their children. The project includes pre-kindergarten programs and parent-child home training. The Waterville Even Start Project, in Waterville, Maine, provides instructional services that are home-based, with supplemental activities provided at an Even Start Center. The adult element of the program provides literacy education in the context of parenting. Early childhood and primary education specialists work with families using a curriculum developed in conjunction with the Head Start program. At a monthly meeting adults attend parenting workshops while children participate in educational programs.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  In fiscal year 1999, $626,000 to $14,930,000; $2,409,000.

84.213 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 84.002 Adult Education: State Grant Program;
• 84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies;
• 84.011 Migrant Education: Basic State Grant Program;
• 93.600 Head Start.

84.213 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

84.213 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Type of Assistance:  Formula Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $125,250,000; FY 00 est $139,500,000; and FY 01 est $141,250,000.

Budget Account Number:  91-0900-2-1-501.

Authorization:  Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; Title I, Part B, 20 U.S.C. 6362.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  34 CFR 76 (except for 76.600-76.677), 77, 80-82, and 85; Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). For more information, contact the program office.

84.213 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Department of Education, Compensatory Education Programs, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202-6132. Contact: Patricia McKee. Phone: (202) 260-0991. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

84.213 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  The Federal share of the cost of a subgrant project is not more than 90 percent in the first year, 80 percent in the second year, 70 percent in the third year, 60 percent in the fourth year, and 50 percent in any subsequent year. Federal funds are distributed to SEAs based on their relative shares of Title I, Part A of ESEA.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Formula grants to SEAs are awarded on July 1. Funds are available for obligation and expenditure for a total of 27 months. Subgrants may not exceed four years in duration.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Subgrants are used for activities such as recruitment and screening of children and parents, design of programs, instruction of children and parents, support services, staff training, evaluation, and coordination with other programs. Funds may not be used for indirect costs.

84.213 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Annual performance reports are required.

Audits:  In accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations in the Appendix to 34 CFR 80, State and local governments that receive financial assistance of $100,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $100,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with the Appendix to Part 80, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate.

Records:  In accordance with the General Education Provisions Act and the Education Department General Administrative Regulations, certain project records must be retained for three years.