Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Multiple Communities in GA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, VA, WI | HHS 2025 ACF OHS HP 0125

Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2025 ACF OHS HP 0125

The Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: HHS 2025 ACF OHS HP 0125) is a discretionary federal grant competition run by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS). It is designed to increase access to high-quality, comprehensive Early Head Start services for low-income infants and toddlers and to strengthen supports for their families. Applicants can propose either (1) Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships, which connect Early Head Start program standards and resources with child care partners, or (2) the expansion of Early Head Start services more broadly in eligible communities.

The competition targets multiple specific service areas across nine states: Georgia (GA), Louisiana (LA), Maryland (MD), Michigan (MI), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Ohio (OH), Virginia (VA), and Wisconsin (WI). OHS indicates that total federal funding is approximately $29,325,341 and will be distributed across roughly ten competitive opportunities in those states. While the overall total is about $29.3 million, the notice also lists an award ceiling of $29,221,775 and anticipates up to 20 awards, which suggests that awards may vary by service area and that OHS may fund multiple recipients depending on how the competition is structured in each community. For the official breakdown of which communities are available, how much funding is assigned to each service area, and any other location-specific requirements, applicants are directed to the OHS funding page at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ohs/funding.

Eligible applicants include public or private non-profit organizations (including community-based and faith-based organizations) as well as for-profit organizations that are permitted under section 645A(d) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840A(d)). The eligibility list also explicitly includes a wide range of entity types commonly involved in early childhood and social services delivery, such as state, county, and local governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they otherwise qualify); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities that meet the program rules. Organizations already operating Head Start programs are specifically noted as eligible to operate Early Head Start programs as well, which can be important for agencies looking to extend services to younger children.

The notice is also clear about who cannot apply. Individuals, including sole proprietorships, are not eligible and would be disqualified from merit review. Foreign entities are also not eligible. For faith-based organizations, the NOFO emphasizes that they may apply on the same basis as any other organization and that ACF will not discriminate in selection based on religious character or affiliation, consistent with applicable federal protections and requirements (including 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.).

From a program purpose standpoint, funded projects are expected to provide high-quality, comprehensive Early Head Start services for infants and toddlers and their families, which typically implies a full range of supports aligned with Early Head Start performance expectations (for example, strong child development services, family engagement, health and developmental screening connections, and coordinated services). The EHS-Child Care Partnership option is aimed at improving the quality and consistency of care in community child care settings by pairing Early Head Start resources and standards with child care providers, while the expansion option focuses on increasing Early Head Start slots or services where need is high.

Administratively, this NOFO was modified to update the estimated post date and the estimated application due date. The record provided lists an original closing date of 2025-01-06 and a creation date of 2024-10-28, so prospective applicants should confirm the current due date and any amended instructions directly in the official posting and on the OHS funding site. For questions or additional clarification, OHS provides a contact point via the OHS Operations Center at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com.

In short, this is a competitive Early Head Start funding opportunity intended to expand and/or partner services for infants and toddlers in selected communities across GA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, VA, and WI, with roughly $29.3 million available overall, an expected 20 awards, and eligibility focused on qualified public agencies, nonprofits (including faith-based and community-based groups), and certain for-profit providers able to deliver Early Head Start services under the Head Start Act.

• The Administration for Children and Families - OHS in the income security and social services, oz sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Multiple Communities in GA, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, VA, WI" 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 2024-10-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-06. (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 $29,221,775.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 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, Others.

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