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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

93.600:  Head Start

Objectives:  To provide comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social and other services primarily to economically disadvantaged preschool children, including Indian children on federally-recognized reservations, and children of migratory workers and their families; and to involve parents in activities with their children so that the children will attain overall social competence.

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

93.600 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Any local government, federally-recognized Indian tribe, or public or private nonprofit or for profit agency which meets the requirements may apply for a grant. However, application will be considered only when submitted in response to a specific announcement, published in the Federal Register, which solicits proposals to establish new Head Start Programs. Grantee agencies may subcontract with other child-serving agencies to provide services to Head Start children.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Head Start programs are for children from birth up to the age when the child enters the school system. No less than 10 percent of the total enrollment opportunities in each Head Start program shall be available for children with disabilities.

Credentials/Documentation:  Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of nonprofit status. Applicable costs and administrative procedures will be determined in accordance with Part 74 and 92 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

93.600 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  The grantee, its policy advisory group, and the Head Start program specialist participate in a pre-review to develop plans and priorities. The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS must be used for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:  The Administration for Children, and Families/Head Start regional representative will provide each applicant agency with a completed check list form showing exactly which items must be completed by each applicant and delegate agency.

Award Procedure:  All funds are awarded directly to the grantees. Funds for local Head Start programs, some research and demonstration programs and some career development and technical assistance programs are awarded by the Regional Offices. However, funds for the following are awarded by the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) Headquarters: Indian programs (reservation only); Migrant programs; Early Head Start programs evaluation studies; some research and demonstration programs and some career development training and technical assistance programs.

Deadlines:  Applications for new projects may be submitted at any time or at times specified by announcement in the Federal Register. Applications for continuation grants must be received 90 days prior to the start of the new budget period.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  About 90 days from submission of application to Governor's approval.

Appeals:  Grantees who are denied refunding may appeal adverse decisions to the HHS Departmental Appeals Board. There is no appeal for new grants denials.

Renewals:  HHS Headquarters or Regional Offices will inform grantees of the application procedures for renewal.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  (1) The degree to which the proposed project will meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards or other program objectives as specified in a program announcement; (2) reasonableness of cost; (3) qualification of staff; and (4) other criteria, which are detailed in every program announcement.

Examples of Funded Projects:  (1) Full-Year and Full-Day Head Start Programs; and (2) Full-Year and Part-Day Head Start Programs.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  From $120,000 to $136,889,000; $2,969,000.

93.600 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 10.550 Food Distribution.

93.600 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

93.600 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants and Contracts) FY 99 $4,658,003,589; FY 00 est $5,267,000,000; and FY 01 est $6,267,000,000. (NOTE: The funds in this program are also for program contracts. The amounts that can be used for contracts cannot be predetermined.) Of the FY 00 est $1,400,000,000 will not available for obligation until October 1, 2000.

Budget Account Number:  75-1536-0-1-506.

Authorization:  Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Act of 1998, Title I, Sections 101-119.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Chapter XIII of Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations, including 45 CFR 1301 - 1308. These are available on request at no charge.

93.600 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Regional Administrator, Administration for Children, and Families. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for list of addresses of Regional Offices.)

Headquarters Office:  Head Start Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Phone: (202) 205-8572.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

93.600 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  The statistical factor used for fund allocation is: the relative number of children (age birth to 4) living with families with incomes below the poverty line in each state as compared to all States and the source is the latest information available from the Bureau of the Census; Head start grantees are required to provide 20 percent of the total cost of the program, although this maybe waived wholly or in part if certain conditions pertain. Matching share may be in cash or in-kind fairly evaluated.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Funds are available for a 12-month budget period. Funds are released by monthly allowance on an Electronic Transfer System or by monthly check.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  At least 90 percent of the enrollees in a program must come from families whose income is at or below the poverty guidelines as established by the Office of Management and Budget or from families receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Training and technical assistance grants are available to Head Start programs and to agencies which provide services to Head Start programs.

93.600 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Quarterly financial and program progress reports are required.

Audits:  Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR, Parts 74 and 92.

Records:  Grantee must maintain an accounting system adequate to meet the purposes of the grant. Requirements for records are found in 45 CFR, Part 74 and 92.