Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 591 - RULES OF BRIGHT FROM THE START GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CARE AND LEARNING › Chapter 591-2 › Subject 591-2-1 - GRANT DESCRIPTIONS › Rule 591-2-1-.05 - Head Start

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
General Scope and Purpose
:
				The Head Start State Collaboration grant establishes a state-level office (The
				Georgia Head Start State Collaboration Office) for Head Start programs in
				Georgia, for the purpose of building collaborative partnerships between
				federally funded Head Start programs and state-funded early childhood programs
				to improve the quality of services to low-income children and their families in
				Georgia. The Head Start grant coordinates federal initiatives for children and
				families with Pre-K programs and other state-funded child and family programs
				across the state. These coordinated efforts are intended to assist in building
				seamless, comprehensive early childhood systems and access to services and
				support for all low-income children. The Head Start grant also facilitates the
				involvement of Head Start in the development of state policies and initiatives
				affecting the Head Start target population and other low-income families.
To accomplish its purpose, the Head Start State Collaboration
				 grant provides contracts for activities that support the collaboration of early
				 care and education programs, including extended services to local Head Start
				 programs to ensure that Head Start and Pre-K service delivery models are
				 compatible in local communities across the state. Local Head Start programs
				 submit proposals for collaborative activities for "at-risk" children and their
				 families. These proposals are reviewed and decisions are made, in consultation
				 with the state Head Start Association and the federal Administration for
				 Children and Families.
(2)
General Terms and Conditions
: The state agency that receives
				funding for the Head Start State Collaboration grant shall appoint an
				individual to serve as the State Liaison between the appropriate Regional
				Office of the Administration of Children and Families and agencies and
				individuals charged with the responsibility of administering Head Start
				programs in the state. The state agency that administers the Head Start State
				Collaboration grant musts adhere to the Department of Health and Human
				Services' regulations that govern federal Head Start programs. The state agency
				must ensure that the collaboration described in Section (1) involves
				coordination of Head Start services with health care, welfare, child care
				education and community service activities, family literacy services,
				activities relating to children disabilities, including coordination of
				services with those State officials who are responsible for administering Part
				C and Section 619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
				1431  - 1445,
				1419) and
				services for homeless children.
(3)
Eligible Recipients
: The eligible recipient for the Head Start
				State Collaboration grant is any state education or human services agency that
				is responsible for providing services to low-income children and families
				within the state. Eligible recipients for collaborative contracts are any legal
				educational or childcare entity, such as a local school system, a public or
				private not-for-profit [501©(3)] agency, or a private for-profit
				agency as described in
				  591-2-1-.01.
(4)
Application Process
:
				Interested applicants for collaborative contracts must contact the Head Start
				State Collaboration Office, housed within Bright from the Start: Georgia
				Department of Early Care and Learning, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite
				754 East Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Interested applicants must submit a
				one-page concept paper that includes detailed information regarding the scope
				of services to be provided under the contract.
(5)
Approximate time to apply
:
				Applicants must submit the one-page concept paper in July of each year, prior
				to the beginning of the school year in August. Contracts are for the current
				school year only, and are in effect from August 1 through June 30 of each
				year.
(6)
Criteria for Grant
				Award
: Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and
				Learning has been selected by the Governor's Office in Georgia as the recipient
				of the State Head Start Collaboration grant. The grant, which is received from
				the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is for a five-year period,
				coinciding with the federal fiscal year. Contracts administered by the State
				Head Start Collaboration Office are subject to funding availability, previous
				program compliance and identified needs of local programs, Bright from the
				Start, the Georgia Head Start Association and the federal Administration for
				Children and Families, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
				Services.
(7)
Calculation of
				Payment
: The federal Head Start State Collaboration grant budget is for
				$175,000 per year for a five-year period. The Department of Early Care and
				Learning and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services review budgets
				for contracts administered by the Head Start Collaboration Office for
				appropriateness. Collaborative contracts are calculated based on the number of
				children to be served.
(8)
Length of Award
: The federal Head Start State Collaboration grant
				is awarded to Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and
				Learning for a five-year period. At the end of each five-year period, a full
				application for renewal must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and
				Human Services. Collaborative contracts are awarded each fiscal year.
(9)
Authority
: The Head Start
				Act, as amended, 45 CFR (A). Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and
				Human Services; O.C.G.A.
				  20-1A-4;
				  50-27-2;
				  50-27-3.,
				O.C.G.A. Sec.
				  28-5-122.
O.C.G.A. Sec.
				  28-5-122.