 
Program Instructions (PIs) - 2004
Head Start Youth Mentoring Initiative (ACYF-PI-HS-04-02)
| ACYF Administration on Children, Youth, and Families |
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families |
|
| 1. Log No. ACYF-PI-HS-04-02 | 2. Issuance Date: 05/28/2004 | |
| 3. Originating Office: Head Start Bureau | ||
| 4. Key Word: Funding guidance; Head Start Youth Mentoring Initiative | ||
PROGRAM INSTRUCTION: [See Attachment at the bottom]
TO: Head Start and Early Head Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies
SUBJECT: Head Start Youth Mentoring Initiative
INSTRUCTION:
Grant supplements totaling approximately $10 million nationally are being made available to Head Start and Early Head Start programs to improve services to Head Start children and families through projects that promote the participation of youth in local Head Start programs. Funding to support this effort is authorized under Section 649 of the Head Start Act.
The Head Start Bureau, in collaboration with the Family and Youth Services Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), announces that applications for supplemental funds will be accepted from Head Start grantees wishing to establish or expand positive youth development mentoring programs. These projects will benefit and support grantees' on-going Head Start program while also providing opportunities for youth to invest in their community. Youth could be involved in activities that include, but are not limited to:
- Participating in child and family literacy activities;
- Enhancing young children's gross motor skills;
- Promoting children's social and emotional development;
- Assisting in language development for children and families who are English Language Learners and;
- Enhancing staff, family, and child computer skills.
In considering the type of program that would work best for your community and its families, you should consider such arrangements as:
- Creating partnerships with local educational agencies, faith-based and community service organizations that can provide youth with community service opportunities in the Head Start program;
- Developing a youth mentor program that focuses on positive role modeling and promotes community service such as reading to Head Start children and;
- Establishing youth work-study projects that model age-appropriate early childhood development practices and promote positive interactions with Head Start children.
In developing this application you may propose using grant funds to reimburse participating youth for costs incurred in participation, such as for meals or transportation costs during the time spent working on the project, if such an approach will help implement the proposed design. Grantees are expected to partner primarily with youth who are enrolled in middle school or high school.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible applicants are current Early Head Start and Head Start grantees.
FUNDING
Applicants may apply for a maximum of $50,000 to cover a period not to exceed one year. The Head Start Bureau understands that cost requirements for different applicants may vary based on several factors, such as the way the program is structured, the costs of operating in different communities and the extent to which resources can be obtained from other funding sources or partners. Applicants should submit a budget which reflects the needs of their particular application.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must submit applications that comply fully with the attached Application Instructions and Requirements including mailing information and the closing date for submission. Applications that do not conform to the application requirements will be screened out and not considered for funding.
All applications will be reviewed by an independent review panel using the attached evaluation criteria. The Commissioner, ACYF, will make the final decision on which applicants will be funded, using the results of the review process as well as other factors such as the need to assure a reasonable geographic distribution of projects, an appropriate balance between urban and rural projects, between large and small projects and the need to fund a variety of different proposed strategies. This is an opportunity for grantees to enhance services to Head Start children and families while providing an opportunity for youth to be involved in meaningful and important work. We encourage you to consider submitting a funding request for this important initiative.
/ Joan E. Ohl /
Joan E. Ohl
Commissioner
(Download in PDF)
Attachment:
Head Start Youth Mentoring Initiative Application Instructions and Requirements