Opportunity Information: Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R05 1629
The Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants opportunity for Cook County, Illinois (specifically excluding the City of Chicago) is a discretionary federal grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Office of Head Start (OHS). The main goal is to increase the supply of high-quality, comprehensive services for low-income infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) and their families in the eligible Cook County service area. Funding is intended to either expand direct Early Head Start (EHS) services or to build/expand Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships that connect Head Start standards and resources with local child care providers, strengthening quality and access for working families while meeting EHS program requirements.
The total amount available under this announcement is approximately $1,291,936, and the agency anticipated making a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1), meaning one organization would likely be selected to operate and/or expand services across the defined area. The award ceiling is listed as $1,291,936, which signals the maximum expected federal funding level for the selected applicant under this competition. The program is classified under CFDA 93.600 (Head Start), and the funding activity category is Income Security and Social Services, reflecting its focus on early childhood development, family support, and poverty-related service access.
Eligible applicants are broad and include many types of public and private entities, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions referenced in section 645A of the Head Start Act. Eligible organizations include state, county, and city/township governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and other qualifying entities. In practical terms, this means a wide range of local operators could apply, such as established early childhood nonprofits, community-based organizations, faith-based service providers, local government agencies, school districts with early childhood capacity, higher education partners with an early learning lab school, or child care organizations that can meet Head Start performance expectations.
The services supported through this funding are aimed at comprehensive early childhood programming, not just child care slots. Early Head Start typically includes child development services aligned with Head Start Program Performance Standards, family engagement and support, health and developmental screenings and follow-up, and coordination for services that support parent goals such as employment, education, and stability. For EHS-Child Care Partnerships specifically, the concept is to pair Early Head Start resources and oversight with community child care settings so more infants and toddlers can be served in full-day, full-year arrangements that match parent work schedules while also meeting EHS quality and comprehensive service standards. The overarching purpose is expansion: increasing access and capacity for eligible families in Cook County outside Chicago by adding EHS enrollment opportunities and/or partnering with child care providers to raise quality and create more EHS-supported spaces.
Administratively, this opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R05 1629. Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date listed in the notice (OriginalClosingDate: November 12, 2019). Applicants were directed to ACFs grant application guidance resources (acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto#chapter-4) for step-by-step instructions on registration, submission, and understanding the federal review process. For questions or additional information specific to EHS-CC Partnerships, ACF provided an email contact: EHS.CCPartnerships@acf.hhs.gov.
In short, this grant competition was designed to select one lead agency to expand high-quality Early Head Start access for low-income infants and toddlers and their families in Cook County, Illinois, excluding Chicago, either by scaling up EHS directly, forming or expanding EHS-Child Care Partnerships, or using a combination of both approaches to increase available high-quality early learning and family support services in the target area.Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R05 1629
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS in the income security and social services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Cook County, Illinois with the exception of the City of Chicago" 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 Sep 12, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 12, 2019 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 1159 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.. (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 $1,291,936.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants (Cook County, IL - excluding Chicago)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal grant competition for Early Head Start (EHS) Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships in Cook County, Illinois, specifically excluding the City of Chicago. It is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Office of Head Start (OHS).
2) What is the main goal of the grant?
The main goal is to increase the supply of high-quality, comprehensive services for low-income infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) and their families in the eligible Cook County service area (outside the City of Chicago). Funding is intended to expand direct EHS services, build/expand EHS-CC Partnerships, or use a combination of both approaches.
3) What geographic area is eligible?
The service area is Cook County, Illinois, but the City of Chicago is specifically excluded from eligibility under this opportunity.
4) Who is the federal awarding agency?
The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Office of Head Start (OHS).
5) What program or CFDA does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity is classified under CFDA 93.600 (Head Start).
6) What is the funding activity category for this grant?
The funding activity category is Income Security and Social Services, reflecting the program focus on early childhood development, family support, and access to services for families with low incomes.
7) How much total funding is available under this announcement?
The total amount available is approximately $1,291,936.
8) How many awards does ACF expect to make?
ACF anticipated making a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1), meaning one organization would likely be selected to operate and/or expand services across the defined area.
9) What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling is listed as $1,291,936, which indicates the maximum expected federal funding level for the selected applicant under this competition.
10) What types of projects are supported: EHS Expansion vs. EHS-Child Care Partnerships?
Funding is intended for (1) expanding direct Early Head Start services, and/or (2) building or expanding Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships that connect Head Start standards and resources with local child care providers to strengthen quality and access while meeting EHS program requirements.
11) What is an Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnership in this context?
An EHS-CC Partnership is a model that pairs Early Head Start resources and oversight with community child care settings. The intent is to serve more infants and toddlers in full-day, full-year arrangements that align with parent work schedules while also meeting EHS quality and comprehensive service standards.
12) What ages are served through Early Head Start under this opportunity?
The focus population is infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, along with their families.
13) Who are the intended beneficiaries?
The intended beneficiaries are low-income infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) and their families in eligible areas of Cook County outside Chicago.
14) Is this funding intended only to create child care slots?
No. The services supported are described as comprehensive early childhood programming, not just child care slots. Early Head Start typically includes child development services aligned with Head Start Program Performance Standards, family engagement and support, health and developmental screenings and follow-up, and coordination of services that support parent goals such as employment, education, and stability.
15) What types of services are generally included in Early Head Start programming (as described here)?
As described, Early Head Start services typically include child development services aligned with Head Start Program Performance Standards; family engagement and support; health and developmental screenings and follow-up; and coordination for services that support parent goals such as employment, education, and stability.
16) What is the overall purpose of this competition?
The overall purpose is expansion: increasing access and capacity for eligible families in Cook County outside Chicago by adding EHS enrollment opportunities and/or partnering with child care providers to raise quality and create more EHS-supported spaces.
17) Who can apply (in general terms)?
Eligible applicants are broad and include many types of public and private entities, as long as they meet the eligibility conditions referenced in section 645A of the Head Start Act.
18) What specific types of organizations are listed as eligible?
Eligible organizations include state, county, and city/township governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); for-profit organizations (including small businesses); and other qualifying entities.
19) Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations (including small businesses) are listed among eligible applicants, as long as they meet the applicable eligibility conditions referenced in section 645A of the Head Start Act.
20) Are nonprofit organizations required to have 501(c)(3) status?
No. Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status are included among eligible applicants (with the note that institutions of higher education are excluded from those nonprofit categories as stated in the opportunity summary).
21) Can institutions of higher education apply?
Yes. Public and state-controlled colleges and universities and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicant types.
22) Can tribal entities apply?
Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are listed among eligible applicants.
23) Can housing authorities apply?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are listed as eligible applicants.
24) Does the opportunity specify any practical examples of potential applicants?
Yes. The description notes that a wide range of local operators could apply, such as established early childhood nonprofits, community-based organizations, faith-based service providers, local government agencies, school districts with early childhood capacity, higher education partners with an early learning lab school, or child care organizations that can meet Head Start performance expectations.
25) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R05 1629.
26) How were applications submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
27) What was the application deadline listed?
The original closing date listed was November 12, 2019, with submissions due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.
28) Where were applicants directed for federal grant application guidance?
Applicants were directed to ACF grant application guidance resources at acf.hhs.gov/grants/howto#chapter-4 for step-by-step instructions on registration, submission, and understanding the federal review process.
29) Is there a contact email for questions specifically about EHS-Child Care Partnerships?
Yes. ACF provided the email contact EHS.CCPartnerships@acf.hhs.gov for questions or additional information specific to EHS-CC Partnerships.
30) What does it mean that this is a discretionary federal grant competition?
As described, this is a discretionary competition, meaning funding is awarded through a competitive process (rather than automatically by formula), with ACF/OHS selecting the applicant expected to best meet the goals of expanding high-quality Early Head Start access in the defined service area.
31) What does it mean that ACF expected to make a single award?
It means the agency anticipated selecting one lead organization to operate and/or expand services across the defined Cook County area (outside Chicago) under this competition.
32) Can an applicant propose both EHS Expansion and EHS-CC Partnerships?
Yes. The description indicates the selected lead agency could expand EHS directly, form or expand EHS-Child Care Partnerships, or use a combination of both approaches.
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|---|
| Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Bernalillo and Rio Arriba Counties, New Mexico Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R06 1743 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R06 1743 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,494,075 |
| Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Douglas County, Nebraska Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R07 1722 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R07 1722 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,841,069 |
| Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Dunklin, Pemiscot and Scott Counties, Missouri Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R07 1723 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R07 1723 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $3,287,229 |
| Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - South Carolina Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R04 1778 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R04 1778 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $3,926,907 |
| Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants -- The Cities of Covington, Newport, Erlanger and Florence, Kentucky Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R04 1754 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R04 1754 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $975,412 |
| Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Union, Umatilla, Morrow, Wallowa and Gilliam Counties, Oregon Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R10 1761 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R10 1761 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $830,813 |
| Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton and Dekalb Counties, Missouri Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R07 1757 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS HP R07 1757 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $908,219 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- The Towns of Lynn, Saugus, Nahant, Swampscott, Marblehead and Lynnfield, Massachusetts Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1632 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1632 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,347,172 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden and Addison Counties, Vermont Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1633 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1633 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,837,950 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Washington, Lamoille and Orange Counties, Vermont Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1634 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1634 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,455,180 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- The Cities of Meriden, Wallingford, Southington and Berlin, Connecticut Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1635 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1635 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $1,240,928 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Waldo County, Maine Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1636 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1636 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,221,935 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Windsor County, Vermont Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1745 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1745 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $869,505 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Middlesex County and Hartford County, Connecticut excluding the City of New Britain, and the towns of Berlin, Enfield, Manchester, and Southington Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1746 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1746 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $10,130,032 |
| American Indian/Alaska Native Head Start Grantee -- Polk County, Texas Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CI R11 1782 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CI R11 1782 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $754,215 |
| American Indian/Alaska Native Head Start Grantee -- Peach Springs, Arizona Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CI R11 1781 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CI R11 1781 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $618,241 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- The City of Bridgeport, the towns of Stratford, Fairfield, Easton, Trumbull, and Monroe within Fairfield County, Connecticut Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1767 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R01 1767 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $10,434,282 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Essex County and the Village of Saranac Lake, New York Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R02 1640 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R02 1640 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $2,811,870 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- The Cities of Niagara Falls, Newfane, North Tonawand and the Town of Lockport, New York Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R02 1638 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R02 1638 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $4,011,657 |
| Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Nassau County, New York Apply for HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R02 1642 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACF OHS CH R02 1642 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - OHS Category: Income Security and Social Services Funding Amount: $7,563,600 |
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