Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Massachusetts | HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R1 0068

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R1 0068

This grant opportunity, titled "Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Massachusetts" (Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2024 ACF OHS CH R1 0068), is a discretionary federal grant competition run by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS). The purpose is to select one or more organizations to operate Head Start and/or Early Head Start services for eligible children and families in specific Massachusetts communities that are defined as service areas in the funding announcement. The opportunity is structured around multiple service areas, and OHS notes that the number of areas listed ahead of time is forecasted and may change before the official notice is posted, so applicants are expected to monitor the referenced additional-information link for the most current list of communities and associated funding levels.

Funding is intended to support direct program operations for Head Start (generally serving preschool-age children and their families) and Early Head Start (generally serving infants, toddlers, pregnant people, and their families), with eligibility rules varying depending on whether an applicant is seeking to run Head Start, Early Head Start, or both. Organizations applying to run Head Start only, or to run both Head Start and Early Head Start, must be local public or private nonprofit organizations (including community-based and faith-based organizations) or for-profit organizations that can deliver services within the specific Massachusetts service area(s) identified in the announcement. Organizations applying for Early Head Start only must likewise be public or private nonprofits (including faith-based organizations) or for-profits capable of serving the designated service area(s). Current Head Start operators are explicitly allowed to apply to operate Early Head Start as well.

A wide range of entity types are listed as eligible applicants under the CFDA/Assistance Listing 93.600, including state, county, and city/township governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding IHEs in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. At the same time, there are clear disqualifiers: individuals, including sole proprietorships, cannot apply, and foreign entities are not eligible. Applications from these ineligible categories will be disqualified from merit review and cannot be funded.

The announcement also emphasizes nondiscrimination protections for faith-based organizations. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements can compete on the same basis as any other applicant, and ACF states it will not discriminate in recipient selection based on an organization’s religious character, affiliation, or exercise. This is framed as being subject to applicable federal protections and requirements, including 45 CFR Part 87 and relevant statutory provisions (referenced in the notice).

From a funding and competition standpoint, the opportunity is expected to make about three awards, with an award ceiling listed at $9,837,077 (noting that actual amounts depend on the service area and funding levels published for each area). The instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is Income Security and Social Services. The original application closing date listed is March 26, 2024, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of January 24, 2024.

For organizations trying to determine whether and where to apply, OHS directs interested parties to consult the link provided in the "Link to Additional Information" section of the posting to see the detailed service-area list, the funding amounts tied to each service area, and any updates prior to the official notice of funding opportunity. Questions can also be directed to the OHS Operations Center via email at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com, which is positioned as the point of contact for additional clarifications while applicants track updates and prepare submissions.

• 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 Massachusetts" 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 $9,837,077.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 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 R1 0068

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