The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), through the Office of Head Start (OHS), has announced a funding opportunity totaling $6 million aimed at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). This initiative seeks to establish or enhance partnerships between TCUs and Head Start programs to effectively increase the number of qualified education staff working in American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Grant Details:
Funding Agency: Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start
Total Available Funding: $6,000,000
Individual Grant Amounts: Ranging from $500,000 to $6,000,000
Eligibility: Tribal Colleges and Universities as defined in Section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (U.S.C.1059c(b))
Application Deadline: January 21, 2025
Purpose of the Grant:
The primary objective of this funding is to bolster the educational workforce within American Indian and Alaska Native communities by:
Establishing or strengthening partnerships between TCUs and Head Start programs.
Increasing the number of qualified education staff in Head Start and Early Head Start programs serving these communities.
Significance:
This initiative addresses the critical need for culturally competent and qualified educators in early childhood programs within Native communities. By empowering TCUs to collaborate with Head Start programs, the grant aims to enhance educational outcomes for young children and support the professional development of educators familiar with the unique cultural contexts of American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Application Process:
Eligible TCUs interested in applying for this grant should prepare to submit a comprehensive proposal detailing their plans to develop or enhance partnerships with Head Start programs. Applications must demonstrate how the proposed initiatives will effectively increase the number of qualified education staff in the targeted programs.
For more information and to access the application materials, please visit the official grant announcement page on Grants.gov.
This funding opportunity represents a significant investment in the future of early childhood education within American Indian and Alaska Native communities, aiming to provide young children with access to high-quality educational experiences that honor and reflect their cultural heritage.