Elementary Leading and Learning is requesting approval for the submission of Year 1 of 5 for the Head Start non-competitive baseline application. The deadline for submission of the finished grant is April 1, 2022. Prior to submission, the Board participated in the development of the application. The Office of Head Start determined that BPS Head Start program did not meet any of the conditions outlined in 45 C.F.R. Part 1304.11 of the Head Start Program Performance Standards Designation Renewal System (DRS). As a result, BPS is eligible for a non-competitive five year grant award to operate the BPS Head Start Program. The award will be approximately 5.4 million per implementation year.

Staff is recommending to submit the Head Start Non-Competitive Five Year Grant for the following reasons:

• To continue to serve and support 624 three and four-year old students and families throughout Brevard County
• Promote school readiness of preschool age children from primarily low income families by enhancing their cognitive, motor, communication, social and emotional development
• Services include family supports to include family wellbeing and family engagement strategies by leveraging and promoting community partnerships
• Head Start program goals align with the District Strategic Plan

Key Dates:

Intent to Apply/Write – December 14, 2021

Grant submission – April 1, 2022

Notice of Award issued – June 30, 2022

Grant Implementation begins – July 1, 2022

Approve the request to submit the Head Start Non-competitive 5 year grant award.