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

(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.