New Federal Grant Opportunity for Early Head Start and Child Care Program Partnerships

As part of President Obama’s Early Learning Initiative, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the availability of funds for the Early Head Start Expansion and Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) grant program.  The new grants are intended to expand access to high quality early learning opportunities for young infants and toddlers in poverty.

Key facts about the grant program include the following:

• Eligible applicants for the EHS Expansion and EHS-CCP grants include:

1. 1. Current Head Start or EHS grantees
   2. Independent school districts
   3. Public and state controlled institutions of higher education
   4. Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
   5. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
   6. Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
   7. Private institutions of higher education
   8. For-profit organizations
   9. Small businesses
   10. State governments
   11. County governments
   12. City or township governments

• Applicants proposing partnerships with other federally, state, or locally funded early childhood programs, such as the Child Care and Development Fund
• Applicants must ensure every child will receive all required services set forth in the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• All child care partner applicants must agree to meet Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Programs may choose to offer center-based service or family child care-based service models.
• Grant awards range from $750,000 to $54,933,590 per budget period.
• The duration of this grant program is up to 59 months.
• Programs must provide a 20% non-Federal match of funds for each grant.
• Strategies for establishing partnerships can be found here.