Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Illinois | HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R5 0082

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R5 0082

This discretionary grant opportunity from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS) seeks applicants to operate Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs in specific, defined service areas within the state of Illinois. The intent is to fund organizations that can deliver comprehensive early childhood services to eligible children and families in the communities identified in the official funding opportunity announcement. The service areas listed for competition are described as forecasted (projected) and may change before the final notice of funding opportunity is posted, so applicants are expected to rely on the official service area list and any updates published through the "Link to Additional Information" referenced in the announcement.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and private entities as long as they can provide services in the identified Illinois service area. This includes state, county, and city or township governments; independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. While many entity types are eligible, the opportunity clearly excludes applications from individuals, including sole proprietorships, and excludes foreign entities. Those ineligible submissions will not advance to merit review and cannot be funded under this opportunity.

The eligibility rules differ depending on what an organization is applying to operate. For applicants seeking Head Start only, or a combined Head Start and Early Head Start program, eligibility is limited to local public or private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based organizations) or for-profit organizations that can provide the relevant services to children and families living in the specific service area named in the funding opportunity announcement. For applicants seeking Early Head Start only, eligibility is similarly limited to public or private nonprofit organizations (including faith-based organizations) or for-profit organizations that can provide Early Head Start services within the designated service area. The announcement also notes that organizations already operating Head Start programs are eligible to operate Early Head Start programs, which signals an expectation that existing providers may expand services where community needs and funding allow.

Faith-based and community organizations are explicitly welcomed as long as they meet the same eligibility requirements as any other applicant. The government states it will not discriminate in selecting recipients based on an organization’s religious character, affiliation, or exercise, and it references applicable federal protections and requirements, including 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq. In practical terms, this means faith-based entities can compete on equal footing, subject to the standard compliance rules that come with federal financial assistance.

Key administrative details include the opportunity number HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R5 0082 and the CFDA/Assistance Listing number 93.600. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Income Security and Social Services. The opportunity was created on 2024-01-24, with an original closing date of 2024-03-26. The forecasted award information indicates an expected 2 awards, with an award ceiling listed at $6,301,899 (noting that actual awards and service areas can depend on the final posted announcement and updates). Applicants who need clarification or additional information are directed to contact the OHS Operations Center by email at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com, and they should monitor the posted service area list for the most accurate funding levels and any changes before submitting an application.

• The Administration for Children and Families - OHS in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Illinois" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.600.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-01-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $6,301,899.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R5 0082

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