This FOA is modified to extend the application due date to Thursday, July 23, 2015 to avoid the Grants.gov scheduled maintenance beginning at 12:01 AM EDT on Saturday July 18, 2015 until Monday, July 20, 2015 at 6:00 AM EDT.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head
Start (OHS) in partnership with the Office of Child Care (OCC) announces the availability of an estimated $14,000,000 to be competitively awarded for a National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning (the Center).
The Center will disseminate high quality research informed resources and provide training and technical assistance associated with healthy development and school readiness for infants, toddlers and preschool children (birth to five) across all settings and program options.
The Center’s work will include, but not be limited to, professional development for the infant/toddler and preschool workforce; evidence based curriculum; early learning standards; effective transitions; screening and assessment; culturally and linguistically age appropriate practices; enhancing teacher/child interactions; supporting networks of infant/toddler practitioners; supporting children with disabilities (part C and part B); and using data to improve practice.
Training and technical assistance (T/TA) will be delivered to Head Start/Early Head Start agencies, state child care agencies, and other early care and education settings across regions, States, tribes and territories.
In addition, the Center will maximize the use of previously developed web-based material and resources that are consistent with OHS and OCC national messages.
The Center will work collaboratively and cooperatively with the other OHS and OCC National T/TA Centers and ACF regional offices.
Because of the complex work the Center will conduct, the grantee will be expected to bring together a consortium of knowledgeable partners within the field of early childhood development, teaching and learning.
The Center's work should be research/evidence informed as well as practical in application by way of training and technical assistance within the field of early childhood development, teaching, and learning.