Discretionary Announcement for Select Service Areas of Early Head Start; Availability of Funds and Request for Applications

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Notice of Program Announcement No. ACF/ACYF/HS 2002-01]

Discretionary Announcement for Select Service Areas of Early Head Start; Availability of Funds and Request for Applications

AGENCY:

Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), DHHS.

ACTION:

Notice of availability of Early Head Start financial assistance for select service areas and request for applications.

SUMMARY:

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families announces financial assistance to be competitively awarded to local public and local non-profit and for-profit private entities—including Early Head Start and Head Start grantees—to provide child and family development services for low-income families with children under age three and pregnant women. Early Head Start programs provide early, continuous, intensive and comprehensive child development and family support services on a year-round basis to low-income families. The purpose of the Early Head Start program is to enhance children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development; to support parents' efforts to fulfill their parental roles; and to help parents move toward self-sufficiency.

The funds available will be competitively awarded to eligible applicants to operate Early Head Start programs in select service areas. (See Parts I and II of Appendix A for a listing of select service areas.)

Grants will be competitively awarded to eligible applicants, including current Head Start and Early Head Start grantees, to operate Early Head Start programs in select service areas. In awarding these grants, ACYF is interested in assuring that those communities currently served (i.e., the service areas listed in Parts I and II of Appendix A) will have an opportunity to continue receiving services for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women through Early Head Start. In addition, ACYF wants to ensure continued services for families who are currently receiving EHS services in these communities.

Applicants in each select service area will compete for funds against other applicants wishing to serve the same select service area.

DATES:

The closing date and time for receipt of applications for service areas listed in Part I of Appendix A is 5 p.m. (EST) on December 3, 2001.

The closing date and time for receipt of applications for service areas listed in Part II of Appendix A is 5 p.m. (EST) on April 1, 2002.

Note:

Applications should be submitted to the ACYF Operations Center at: 1815 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209. However, prior to preparing and submitting an application, in order to satisfactorily compete under this announcement, it will be necessary for potential applicants to read the full announcement which is available through the addresses listed below.

ADDRESSES:

A copy of the program announcement, necessary application forms, and other appendices can be obtained by contacting: Early Head Start, ACYF Operations Center, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22209. The telephone number is 1-800-351-2293. Or e-mail to:

ehs@lcgnet.com

Copies of the program announcement and necessary application forms can be downloaded from the Head Start Web site at:

www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/hsb

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

ACYF Operations Center at: 1815 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209 or telephone: 1-800-351-2293 or e-mail to:

ehs@lcgnet.com

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Eligible Applicants:

Applicants eligible to apply to become an Early Head Start program are local public and local non-profit and for-profit private entities. Early Head Start and Head Start grantees are eligible to apply.

Project Duration:

The competitive awards made through this announcement will be for one-year budget periods and an indefinite project period. Subsequent year budget awards will be made non-competitively, subject to availability of funds and the continued satisfactory performance of the applicant. Current EHS grantees in good standing, who submit acceptable applications, will be given priority in funding decisions.

Federal Share of Project Costs:

In most cases, the Federal share will not be more than 80 percent of the total approved costs of the project.

Matching Requirements:

Grantees that operate Early Head Start programs must, in most instances, provide a non-Federal contribution of at least 20 percent of the total approved costs of the project.

Available Funds:

See Parts I and II of Appendix A for the list of the select

service areas and for the amount of funding available for each area.

Anticipated Number of Projects To Be Funded:

It is estimated that there will be one award for each of the select service areas.

Statutory Authority:

The Head Start Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9831

et seq.

Evaluation Criteria

Competing applications for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated on the six criteria which are summarized below. The point values following each criterion indicate the numerical weight each criterion will be accorded in the review process.

Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance (15 points)

The extent to which, based on community assessment information, the applicant identifies any relevant physical, economic (e.g., poverty in the community), social, financial, institutional, or other issues which demonstrate a need for the Early Head Start program.

The extent to which the applicant lists relevant program objectives that adequately address the strengths and needs of the community.

The extent to which the applicant describes the population to be served by the project.

The extent to which the applicant gives a precise location and rationale for the project site(s) and service area to be served by the proposed project.

Criterion 2. Results or Benefits Expected (10 points)

The extent to which the applicant identifies the results and benefits to be derived from the project and links these to the stated objectives.

The extent to which the applicant describes the kinds of data to be collected and how they will be utilized to measure progress towards the stated results or benefits.

Criterion 3. Approach (25 points)

The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

The extent to which the applicant explains why the approach chosen is effective in light of the needs, objectives, results and benefits described above.

The extent to which the approach is grounded in recognized standards and/or guidelines for high quality service provision or is defensible from a research or “best practices” standpoint.

Criterion 4. Staff and Position Data and Organization Profiles (15 points)

The extent to which the proposed program director, proposed key project staff, the organization's experience, including experience in providing early, continuous, and comprehensive child and family development services, and the organization's history with the community demonstrate the ability to effectively and efficiently administer a project of this size, complexity and scope.

The extent to which the applicant's management plan demonstrates sufficient management capacity to implement a high quality Early Head Start program.

The extent to which the organization demonstrates an ability to carry out continuous improvement activities.

Criterion 5. Third Party Agreements/Collaboration (15 points)

The extent to which the applicant presents documentation of efforts (letters of commitment, interagency agreements, etc.) to establish and maintain ongoing collaborative relationships with community partners.

The extent and thoroughness of approaches to combining Early Head Start resources and capabilities with those of other local child care agencies and providers to provide high quality child care services to infants and toddlers which meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Criterion 6. Budget and Budget Justification (20 points)

The extent to which the program's costs are reasonable in view of the planning and activities to be carried out and the anticipated outcomes.

The extent to which the program has succeeded in garnering cash or in-kind resources, in excess of the required Federal match, from local, State, other Federal or private funding sources. The extent to which costs for facilities are reasonable and cost effective.

The extent to which the salaries and fringe benefits reflect the level of compensation appropriate for the responsibilities of staff.

The extent to which assurances are provided that the applicant can and will contribute the non-Federal share of the total project cost.

Required Notification of the State Single Point of Contact

This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,” and 45 CFR part 100, “Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services Programs and Activities.” Under the Order, States may design their own processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance under covered programs.

All States and territories except Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, American Samoa, and Palau have elected to participate in the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these jurisdictions need not take action regarding Executive Order 12372.

Applications for projects to be administered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 12372. Otherwise, applicants should contact their SPOC as soon as possible to alert them to the prospective application and to receive any necessary instructions. Applicants must submit any required material to the SPOC as early as possible so that the program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as part of the award process. It is imperative that the applicant submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and indicate the date of this submittal (or date of contact if no submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a.

Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards.

SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine endorsements as official recommendations.

Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations which may trigger the “accommodate or explain” rule.

When comments are submitted directly to the ACF, they should be addressed to: William Wilson, Head Start Bureau, Grants Officer, 330 C Street SW, Room 2220, Washington, DC 20447. Attn: Early Head Start Competition for Select Service Areas.

A list of the Single Points of Contact for each State and Territory can be found on the following Web site:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 93.600, Project Head Start)

Dated: September 14, 2001.

James A. Harrell,

Acting Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Appendix A

Early Head Start Service Areas—FY 2002 Recompetition

State and county

FY 2002 funding level

Service area (local community)

Part I: Applications for Part I Are Due December 3, 2001

Alabama:

Jefferson

$1,265,357

Birmingham, Bessemer, Tarrant City, Centerpoint, Adamsville, Grayville, Brookville, Sayre, Roebuck, Ensley, Forrestdale, Gardendale, and other small unincorporated areas.

Lee

708,461

Entire County.

Russell

Entire County.

Alaska: None.

Arizona: None.

Arkansas: None.

California: Alameda

2,135,387

West Oakland, San Antonio, Fruitvale, Central East Oakland and Elmhurst.

Colorado: None.

Connecticut: Fairfield

763,728

City of Stamford.

Delaware:

New Castle

1,603,987

Entire County.

Kent

Entire County.

Sussex

518,022

Georgetown.

Florida: Broward

753,581

Pompano Beach, Hollywood.

Georgia:

Whitfield

758,754

Entire County, except south of Tilton and north of Varnell.

Murray

Entire County, except north of Eton and south to North Georgia Speedway.

Hawaii: None.

Idaho:

Bonner

1,229,383

Community of Sand Point.

Kootenai

Cities of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and surrounding areas.

Nez Perce

443,846

Nez Perce County, Idaho, except Nez Perce Reservation; also serving Asotin County in the State of Washington.

Illinois: Cook

1,138,266

New City, West Englewood, and Englewood Communities.

Indiana: None.

Iowa: None.

Kansas: None.

Kentucky:

Bourbon

2,211,967

Entire County.

Fayette

Entire County.

Harrison

Entire County.

Nicholos

Entire County.

Scott

Entire County.

Louisiana: Orleans Parish

2,001,807

Entire Parish.

Maine: None.

Maryland: None.

Massachusetts: Suffolk

1,178,252

City of Boston.

Michigan:

Ionia

892,986

Entire County.

Isabella

Entire County.

Gratiot

Entire County.

Montcalm

Entire County.

Chippewa

1,571,440

Bay Mills Reservation.

Baraga

Keweehaw Reservation.

Gogebic

Lac Vieux Desert Reservation.

Menominee

Hannahville Reservation.

Delta

Little Traverse Bay Band Reservation.

Emmet

Little Traverse Bay Band Reservation.

Charlevoix

Pokagom Reservation.

Otsego

Pokagom Reservation.

Cass

Pokagom Reservation.

Berrien

Entire County.

Van Buren

Entire County.

Minnesota: None.

Mississippi:

Calhoun

1,332,293

Entire County.

Lauderdale

Meridian.

Leflore

Greenwood.

Perry

Entire County.

Printiss

Entire County.

Warren

Vicksburg.

Missouri: None.

Montana: None.

Nebraska: Douglas

1,224,593

City of Omaha:

an area bordered on the North by I-680; on the East by the Missouri River; on the South by Harrison Street (Sarpy County Line); and on the West by 72nd Street.

Nevada:

Clark

1,290,433

Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson.

Elko

Entire County.

Whitepine

Entire County.

New Hampshire: None.

New Jersey: None.

New Mexico:

Bernalillo

1,906,549

Within Bernalillo County, boundaries are described as the following:

(1) Eastern boundary is the Sandia Mountains, south to Kirtland AFB, west to Wyoming Blvd., and north to Indian School.

(2) Eastern boundary is Wyoming Blvd, south to Kirtland AFB, west to Louisiana at San Pedro at Louisiana, and north to Copper.

(3) Eastern boundary is the Sandia Mountains, south to Indian School, west to Eubank and north to the Bernalillo County line.

(4) Eastern boundary is Eubank on the East, south to Indian School, west to San Mateo, south to Indian School at Montgomery, and north to the Bernalillo County line.

(5) Eastern boundary is San Mateo, south to the I-40 Freeway at Candelaria, west to Rio Grande and Edith, and north to Ortega Road.

(6) Eastern boundary is Rio Grande River, south to Bridge Street, west to 98th Street, and north to I-40.

(7) Eastern boundary is 98th Street, south to 122nd Street at Valley Road, west to 122nd Street, and north to I-40.

(8) Eastern boundary is Tapia to Joe Sanchez Road, south to Rio Bravo, west to Coors, and north to Arenal.

(9) Eastern boundary is Girard, south to Airport Terminal Road, west to I-25, and north to Coal.

(10) Eastern boundary is Val Verde, south to Gibson to Smith, west to Girard, and north to Silver.

San Juan

2,058,806

Entire County, except the Alamo Navajo Reservation.

Santa Fe

Entire County.

Sandoval

Cities of Bernalillo, Cuba, and Rio Rancho.

Torrance

Entire County.

New York: None.

North Carolina:

Rowan

1,089,411

Entire County.

Davison

Entire County.

Montgomery

Entire County.

Moore

Entire County.

Stanley

Entire County.

Wayne

1,295,147

Entire County.

North Dakota

Benson

486,892

Entire County with the exception of the Spirit Lake Reservation boundary.

Ramsey

Entire County with the exception of the Spirit Lake Reservation boundary.

Wells

Entire County.

Ohio: None.

Oklahoma:

Creek

1,294,163

Entire County.

Okmulgee

Entire County.

Tulsa

An area bounded on the West by the Creek County line; on the South by the Okmulgee County line; on the East, by Hwy 75, from the Okmulgee County line north to 71st St., east to Peoria Avenue, and north to 15th St; and on the North by 15th Street to the Arkansas River to the Creek County line.

Potawatomi

342,058

The Sac, Fox and Absentee Shawnee Districts of Potawatomi County.

Oregon: Multnomah

2,410,009

City of Portland:

an area bounded by the Willamette River on the West; the Columbia River on the North; Holgate Blvd on the South; and N.E. 122nd Ave to the East (excluding the Enterprise Zone between N.E. Skidmore and N.E. Tillamook Streets).

700,900

City of Portland:

an area bounded by Holgate Avenue on the North; the Multnomah County line to the South; S.E. 45th Street to the West; and 122nd Avenue to the East. After 122nd, the service area extends North to Burnside and out to S.E. 162nd Avenue (Lents Junction).

Pennsylvania: None.

Rhode Island:

Bristol

1,204,567

Bristol, Warren and Barrington.

Newport

Entire County.

Providence

Town of East Providence.

South Carolina: None.

South Dakota:

Jackson

1,165,251

Pine Ridge Reservation.

Shannon

Pine Ridge Reservation.

Tennessee: None.

Texas: None.

Utah: None.

Vermont: None.

Virginia: None.

Washington

King

805,124

City of Seattle:

Yesler Terrace, Holly Park, High Point, and Rainer Vista Public Housing Districts.

Snohomish

339,150

City of Everett.

Asotin

(see Nez Perce, ID).

(see Nez Perce, ID).

West Virginia: None.

Wisconsin: None.

Wyoming: Fremont

524,629

Wind River Reservation.

District of Columbia: None.

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: Municipality of Carolina

1,177,703

Carolina

Part II: Applications for Part II Are Due April 1, 2002

Alabama: None.

Alaska: None.

Arizona: None.

Arkansas: Sebastian

379,331

All of wards one and two on the North side of Fort Smith, joined and bordered by the Arkansas River on the North, East and West, ending to the South at Rogers Avenue, Dodson Avenue, and Euper Lane.

California:

San Diego

4,875,979

Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Escondido, San Diego, Poway, Coronado, La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Santee, Ramona, Palomar Julain, Anza Borrego, Lakeside, Spring Valley, Jamul, Harbinson Crest, Laguna Pine Valley, Mountain Empire, Alpine, Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, Nestor.

San Francisco

1,305,510

Chinatown, Tenderloin, Visitation Valley; and parts of Northbeach, Civic Center, and Bayview Hunters Point.

Shasta

1,905,903

Entire County.

Siskyu

Community of Weed.

Trinity

Cities of Weaverville and Hayfork.

Colorado: None.

Connecticut: None.

Delaware: None.

Florida: Sarasota

355,729

Sarasota, Cities of Newton, Venice and North Port.

Georgia: None.

Hawaii: Hawaii

511,920

South Kona, North Kona, South Kahala, North Kahala, and Ka'u.

Idaho: None.

Illinois:

Champaign

670,476

Entire County.

Cook

681,572

South Chicago and Lower West Side Communities.

St. Clair

1,201,065

District 1: East St. Louis; District 3: Cahokia; Centreville.

Indiana:

Blackford

748,478

Entire County.

Grant

Entire County.

Howard

769,692

Entire County.

Miami

Entire County.

Marshall

403,585

Entire County.

Starke

Entire County.

Tippecanoe

547,969

Entire County.

Posey

816,194

Entire County.

Vanderburg

Entire County.

Iowa:

Allamakee

657,202

Entire County.

Clayton

Entire County.

Blackhawk

1,002,046

City of Waterloo.

Des Moines

696,073

Entire County.

Henry

Entire County.

Lee

Entire County.

Louisa

Entire County.

Kansas:

Atchinson

577,946

Entire County.

Brown

Entire County.

Doniphan

Entire County.

Jefferson

Entire County.

Leavenworth

Entire County.

Marshall

Entire County.

Nemaha

Entire County.

Pottawatomie

Entire County.

Jackson

Entire County, except the Pottawatomie Reservation.

Kentucky: None.

Louisiana:

East Baton Rouge Parish

729,986

City of Baton Rouge:

Starting at the Long Allen Bridge: East to Plank Road (Highway 67); North to Hooper Road (State Highway 408); Northeast on Hooper Road to Greenwell Springs Road (State Highway 37); South and Southwest on Greenwell Springs Road to Airline Highway; Southeast on Airline Highway to Bayou Manchac; West on Bayou Manchac to the Mississippi River; North to the Long Allen Bridge.

Maine: None.

Maryland: None.

Massachusetts: Middlesex

816,234

City of Somerville.

Michigan: None.

Minnesota:

Anoka

557,788

Entire County.

Becker

915,940

Entire County.

Hubbard

Entire County.

Mahnomen

Entire County.

Mississippi:

Lee

1,655,454

Tupelo.

Lafayette

Oxford.

Grenada

Grenada.

Marshall

Byhalia, Holly Springs.

Panola

Batesville.

Pontotoc

Entire County.

Tallahatchie

Glendoro.

Tate

Senatobia.

Tunica

Entire County.

Chickasaw

Houston.

Oktibbeha

Starkville.

Clay

West Point.

DeSota

Walls.

Lowndes

Columbus.

Noxubee

Macon.

Missouri:

St. Charles

1,470,549

Entire County.

Montgomery

Entire County.

Lincoln

Entire County.

Warren

Entire County.

Montana: None.

Nebraska:

Adams

1,255,499

Entire County.

Clay

Entire County.

Franklin

Entire County.

Nuckolls

Entire County.

Webster

Entire County.

Hall

Entire County.

Lancaster

1,246,779

City of Lincoln.

Nevada: None.

New Hampshire: None.

New Jersey:

Hudson

617,135

Union City, North Bergen, West New York, Weehawken, Guttenberg, and Seacaucus.

Passaic

452,329

West Milford, Wayne, Ringwood, Bloomingdale, Little Falls, Haledon, Pompton Lakes, and Hawthorne.

New Mexico: Lea

382,483

Hobbs and Lovington.

New York:

Bronx

1,334,471

(1) 3rd Ave. and Courtland Ave. through E. 161st Street; Grand Ave. through East Featherbed Lane; University Ave through West 182nd Street; East 146th Street through 156th Street; West on St. Anns Ave and Union Ave;

(2) Fulton Ave. to Park Ave.;

(3) East 171st Street and Prospect Ave, through East 182nd;

(4) East 183rd Street and East 187th St. to East Mosholu;

(5) North on Longwood Ave. and Boston Rd and Jennings St.;

(6) Charlotte St. and White Plains Rd;

(7) Sedwick Ave. and Goulden Ave through West 242 St.;

(8) West 183rd St. and Grand Concourse through Mosholu to Bruckner Blvd;

(9) Mott Haven and Hunts Point (Community Board # 1 & 2);

(10) Spuyten Duyvil (Community Board # 8); University Heights (Community Board #7).

Cattaraugus

468,962

Entire County.

Chenango

450,808

Entire County.

Monroe

1,995,614

City of Rochester.

Rensselaer

670,221

Entire County.

Steuben

329,700

Entire County.

Yates

Entire County.

Westchester

941,224

Entire county, excluding the City of White Plains.

Erie

1,277,058

In the City of Buffalo: Teen mothers and pregnant women attending the following high schools: Bennett, Lafayette, Grover Cleveland, Emmerson Vocational, South Park, Riverside, Seneca, Kensington, Alternative, City of Schools, Performing Arts, Buffalo Traditional, Hutch Technical, McKinley, Burgard, and City Honors.

Schenectady

1,057,663

City of Schenectady.

North Carolina:

Macon

1,373,410

Entire County.

Orange

1,033,956

Entire County.

North Dakota: None.

Ohio:

Medina

766,061

Entire County.

Wayne

Entire County.

Oklahoma:

Choctaw

673,734

Entire County.

McCurtain

Entire County.

Pushmataha

Entire County.

Oklahoma

1,229,092

Oklahoma City: an area bounded on the North by North 50th; on the East by Bryant Avenue; on the South by South 44th; and on the West by Meridian Avenue.

Oregon: None.

Pennsylvania:

Bedford

731,016

Entire County.

Centre

898,511

Entire County.

Clearfield

Entire County.

Fulton

324,104

Entire County.

Lackawanna

303,147

Entire County.

Wayne

Entire County.

Pike

Entire County.

Susquehanna

Entire County.

Synder

940,548

Entire County.

Union

Entire County.

Mifflin

Entire County.

Philadelphia

836,403

City of Philadephia: An area bounded by Pine Street on the North; Broad Street on the East; Philadephia Naval Base on the South; and Schuylkill River on the West

Rhode Island: None.

South Carolina: None.

South Dakota: Pennington

820,335

Rapid City and the communities of Fox Elder and Rapid Valley within the incorporated limits of Rapid City.

Tennessee: None.

Texas: Taylor

1,771,957

Abilene Independent School District boundaries.

Utah: None.

Vermont: None.

Virginia:

York

879,473

City of Williamsburg and James City.

Arlington

1,723,326

Entire County.

Loudoun

Entire County.

Prince William

Entire County including Manassas and Manassas Park.

Roanoke

918,305

City of Roanoke.

Washington: None.

West Virginia:

Cabel

1,190,620

Cities of Huntington and Barboursville.

Lincoln

Towns of Harts and Ranger.

Wayne

Towns of Crum and Fort Gay.

Wisconsin:

Dane

901,617

Entire County.

Waukesha

497,681

Entire County.

Wyoming: None.

District of Columbia: None.

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico:

Municipal Government of Santa Isabel

910,972

Santa Isabel.

Municipality of Bayamon

675,044

Bayamon.

[FR Doc. 01-23521 Filed 9-19-01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4184-01-P