Kern Grant Summit Child & Family Services Head Start January 30, 2015

Prepared by Jan Len Regional Program Manager Office of Head Start

Agenda



Overview of Head Start and Vision for Quality Services for Children and Families



Overview of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)



Q & A

Overview of Head Start and Vision for Quality Services for Children and Families

  

History

Result of President Lyndon B. Johnson ’ s declaration of “ The War on Poverty ” in 1964 – – – – Launched in 1965 as an eight-week summer program for preschool children of low income families Designed to break the – Emotional “ Cycle of Poverty ” by meeting their needs: Social Health Nutritional Psychological



Purpose of Head Start

To

promote the school readiness of low-income children

by

enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development in a learning environment that supports their growth comprehensively that are determined, based on family needs assessments, to be necessary.

through

the provision to children and their families of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services SOURCE: HEAD START ACT Sec. 636. [42 U.S.C. 9831]

How Are Services Delivered?

         

National Grantees (approximately 1,700)

Public/Private Non-profit Agencies Local Government Agencies Tribal Government Community Action Agencies School Districts Faith-based Hospitals & Medical Centers Early Intervention & Special Education Programs Public/Private For-profit Agencies Colleges/Universities

Program Options

 Home-Based (HB)  Center-Based (CB)  Family Child Care (FCC)

OHS FOA Resources

FOA Resources

       Link: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/index.cfm

Forms Certifications Electronic Submission Instructions Grants Policy Statement Terms and Conditions Related Links

Elements of Quality Services

       Comprehensive Services – health, education, special needs Focus on the whole child – continuous services birth to 5 Parent Engagement – parent is child’s primary caregiver Governance – Governing Board and Policy Council Collaboration – linkages with community resources Professional Development – for teachers and staff Respecting and honoring Diversity – support individualism

Program Support, Collaborations, and Partnerships

        Regional Office & Program/Fiscal Specialists Training & Technical Assistance System Local Head Start Association Local & State-wide Health Advisory Committees State Collaboration Office Medicaid – Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program (EPSDT) Local Preschool Initiatives/Programs Individualized Community Partnerships

Overview of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

Eligible Applicants



Who is eligible to be a Head Start grantee or both a Head Start and Early Head Start grantee?

 Any local public or private non-profit agencies, including community-based and faith-based organizations, or local for-profit agencies 

Who is eligible to be an Early Head Start grantee?

 Any public or private non-profit agencies, including community-based and faith-based organizations (including states)

Remember…

          Public/Private Non-profit Agencies Local Government Agencies Tribal Government Community Action Agencies School Districts Faith-based Hospitals & Medical Centers Early Intervention & Special Education Programs Public/Private For-profit Agencies Colleges/Universities

Applicant Support Toolkit

Helpful Tips for Applying

     Start preparing your application early Address all of the evaluation criteria and sub-criteria Applicant Support Toolkit  Background on Head Start and Early Head Start   Evaluation criteria hyperlinked to resources on ECLKC Helpful tips for applying via Grants.gov

Electronic application submission   DUNS number and active SAM registration are required Application must be validated by Grants.gov before deadline Follow the formatting and page limitations exactly

Disqualification Factors

Applications will be

screened out and not considered

for funding for the following reasons: – If the amount of Federal funding requested for annual base operations and training and technical assistance exceeds the Award Ceiling in the announcement. • Start-up/pre-award costs are not subject to the Award Ceiling disqualification. If an applicant does not segregate start up/pre-award costs from the base funding request, the Award Ceiling disqualification will apply.

– If the applicant is a grantee that has been terminated for cause by ACF within 5 years prior to the posting date of the FOA.

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Disqualification Factors

Applications will be

screened out and not considered

for funding for the following reasons: – If the applicant is a HS or EHS agency that has had a “ denial of refunding ” within 5 years prior to the posting date of this FOA.

– If the application is not received and validated by Grants.gov or received by the OHS Operations Center by the closing time and date listed in the FOA.

– If an electronically-submitted application fails the Grants.gov validation resubmitted before the application deadline.

– If a at the time of application submission, and is not paper application is submitted without an approved exemption

Evaluation Criteria

Structured in two phases:

  Phase One – Organized by six core elements of an effective Head Start program focused on school readiness and ongoing academic success.

– Reviewed by panel of non-Federal reviewers.

Phase Two – Focuses on an organization's ability to effectively implement and oversee operations that comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

– Reviewed by financial experts contracted by ACF.

Phase Two Review

Applications that score highly in the Phase One review will proceed to Phase Two. Applicants must submit: 1.

Narrative response that addresses: – Internal Control Compliance and Ethical Values – – Accounting Policies and Procedures Additional Information 2.

3.

Their most recent fiscal year’s financial statements and notes Last year’s audit reports

Evaluation Criteria

 For the Phase One review, applicants can receive up to 150 points:

Required Forms

     

SF-424 SF-424A (Budget), SF-424B (Assurances – Non Construction), SF-424C (Budget-Construction) and SF 424D (Assurances-Construction) Assurance – Absence on Non-Compete Agreement SF-LLL – Disclosures of Lobbying Activities Certification Regarding Lobbying Other forms as required by specific funding announcement

Evaluation Criteria 1. Demonstration of Need for Child Development and Health Services: Location, Population, and Service Delivery Options

1.1 Identifies geographic location the applicant proposes to serve; defines the area(s) of greatest need. 1.2 Describes plan to provide child development services for highest need children and families. 1.3 Describes the rationale for which ages of children the applicant proposes to serve.

1.4 Demonstrates community engagement; include memoranda of understanding.

1.5 Describes how pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers will be recruited and selected; inc. 10% disabilities.

1.6 Describes how many HS/EHS children are currently served and states how many would be served if awarded this grant.

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Evaluation Criteria

1.7 Justifies the program option or options for each age group • If proposing to serve in multiple communities, the applicant specifies the number of pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers to be served in each community.

• Proposed number of hours per day, days per week, weeks per year, and home visits • Proposed number of home visits and socializations • Needs of working families  For applicants proposing Early Head Start: Minimum of 48 weeks per year; must explain how the services will support the needs of expectant families.

 For applicants proposing Head Start: Include number of weeks per year for preschoolers that meets the Head Start requirements.

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Evaluation Criteria 2. Achieving Early Learning and Development Outcomes to Promote School Readiness (SR) for Children

2.1 Plan to implement a high-quality, comprehensive program, plans based on the ages and needs of children and families. 2.2 Specifies the name of the curriculum or curricula proposed, why the curriculum was chosen. 2.3 Discusses what tools it will use to support SR domains that the selected curriculum does not support; including plans to address the five SR domains.

2.4 Describes how the applicant will meet the needs of infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers with disabilities.

2.5 Describes how the applicant will meet the unique needs of its targeted population. 2.6 Describes how the applicant will meet the health, mental health, nutritional, and oral health needs of pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and/or preschoolers

Evaluation Criteria

2.7 Center-based or family child care services - describe a plan for observing teacher practice; home-based services - describe a plan for observing home visitor practice.

2.8 Specifies the name and process for selection of assessment tool; plan to individualize the instruction/learning for each child and aggregate/analyze data.

2.9 Describes a plan to coordinate with public and private entities that are willing to commit resources.

2.10 Early Head Start applicants: Describes how the applicant will deliver services to enrolled pregnant women/post-pregnancy how the newborn infant and family will transition into the appropriate program option.

2.11 Early Head Start applicants: Describes how the applicant will ensure that infants, toddlers, and their families participating in the program will have the opportunity to receive Head Start or other appropriate preschool services.

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Evaluation Criteria

2.12 Provides a plan to facilitate the meaningful engagement of parents/caregivers) in activities designed to help them become full partners in the education of their children.

2.13 Explains the plan to implement the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework 28

Evaluation Criteria 3. Past Performance

3.1 Demonstrates how the applicant's history and experience support its ability to administer the proposed project. Applicants that serve or have served as delegate agencies to Head Start/Early Head Start grantees must provide documentation of their past performance.

3.2 Documents how the professional experience of the applicant's proposed management team demonstrates an ability to effectively and efficiently administer a project.

3.3 Explains how the applicant's past performance/experience will inform its administration of the Head Start/Early Head Start program being proposed and will help ensure a high-quality program.

3.4 Current or former Head Start/Early Head Start grantees must include a description of any repeat violations, such as deficiencies, areas of non-compliance, and/or audit findings.

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Evaluation Criteria 4. Staffing and Supporting a Strong Early Learning Workforce

4.1 Documents that the proposed program director and proposed key staff are qualified and knowledgeable about administering complex programs.

4.2 Provides a clear plan to attract and retain qualified staff with the ability to implement a research-based curriculum aligned with the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework and state early learning guidelines.

4.3 Demonstrates that employees meet the requirements of the Head Start Act for staff qualifications.

4.4 Describes the plan to maintain child-to-teacher, home visitor, or family child provider ratios and family service worker caseloads.

4.6 Describes the plan to provide opportunities for qualified parents and other community residents to seek employment.

4.7 Describes a clear plan to evaluate job applicants.

Evaluation Criteria 5. Organizational Capacity and Governance

5.1 Provides a plan identifying the capacity of the applicant's senior executive managers and governing board to exercise effective oversight; Board composition and PC representation, and decision-making process.

5.2 Explains how its organizational oversight meets the program governance requirements.

5.3 Demonstrates the existence of management systems for program planning, internal and external communication, recordkeeping, issuance of internal and external reports, and program self-assessment and monitoring.

5.4 Demonstrates an ability to provide effective financial management in operating a Head Start and/or Early Head Start program based on experience.

5.5 Describes plans to meet or exceed state and local requirements concerning licensing for facilities.

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Evaluation Criteria

5.7 Demonstrates the ability to provide timely and efficient implementation, of services, including facilities, transportation and recruitment.

5.8 Provides plans to coordinate with other state programs and to participate in state systems of early childhood development, including the QRIS 32

Evaluation Criteria 6. Budget and Budget Justification

6.1 Demonstrates that funds are budgeted to provide all required comprehensive services in a cost-effective manner.

6.2 Demonstrates that teaching staff salaries are commensurate with the degree qualifications and experience required. Compliance with compensation cap.

6.3 Demonstrates that start-up/pre-award costs, if proposed, are justified, reasonable, and applicable.

6.4 Demonstrates that the applicant will contribute the required non-federal share/match of the total project cost using allowable sources.

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Calculating Non-Federal Share

 Federal Funds x .25 = Non-Federal Share  $2,000,000 (Federal Funds) x .25 = $500,000 (Non-Federal Share)  Total Grant = $2,500,000 34

Questions About Grants.gov?

For additional training materials, visit

www.grants.gov

“

Customer Support.

”

For Grants.gov Help Desk support, contact

[email protected]

1-800-518-4726 1-800-518-GRANTS

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Office of Head Start Resource & Information

Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc

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