[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37830-37846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16099]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF-PA-CCB-2003-01]


Early Learning Opportunities Act Discretionary Grants

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), ACF, 
DHHS.

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of competitive grants to Local 
Councils.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this program announcement is to announce the 
availability of Fiscal Year 2003 Discretionary Funds, authorized by 
Congress under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 
108-7), for Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) (Pub. L. 106-554) 
competitive discretionary grants to Local Councils.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 93.577.


DATES: The closing date for submission of applications is August 6, 
2003. Mailed applications postmarked after the closing date will be 
classified as late and therefore will not be eligible for competition.
    Deadline: Mailed applications shall be considered as meeting an 
announced deadline if they are sent on or before the deadline date and 
received by ACF in time for the independent review. Applications must 
be sent to: Educational Services, Inc., Attn: ACYF Operations Center, 
Child Care Bureau Program Announcement No. ACYF-PA-CCB-2003-01, 1150 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: 
1-800-351-2293.
    Applicants must ensure that a legibly dated U.S. Postal Service 
postmark or a legibly dated, machine-produced postmark of a commercial 
mail service is affixed to the envelope/package containing the 
application(s). To be acceptable as a proof of timely mailing, a 
postmark from a commercial mail service must include the logo/emblem of 
the commercial mail service company and must reflect the date the 
package was received by the commercial mail service company from the 
applicant. Private metered postmarks will not be acceptable as proof of 
timely mailing. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail 
services do not always deliver as agreed.)

[[Page 37831]]

    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
other representatives of the applicant shall be considered as meeting 
an announced deadline if they are received on or before the deadline 
date, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EDT, Monday through 
Friday (excluding Federal holidays) at the above address. (Applicants 
are cautioned that express/overnight mail services do not always 
deliver as agreed.)
    ACF cannot accommodate transmission of applications by fax or 
through other electronic media, regardless of date or time of 
submission and receipt. Therefore, applications transmitted to ACF 
electronically will not be accepted.
    Late Applications: Applications that do not meet the criteria 
stated above are considered late applications. ACF will notify each 
late applicant that its application will not be considered in the 
current competition.
    Extension of Deadlines: ACF may extend an application deadline for 
applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and hurricanes, when 
there is widespread disruption of mail service, or for other 
disruptions of services, such as a prolonged blackout, that affect the 
public at large. A determination to extend or waive deadline 
requirements rests with the Chief Grants Management Officer.
    Notice of Intent to Submit an Application: If you intend to submit 
an application, you are strongly encouraged to notify the Child Care 
Bureau by fax at (202) 690-5600 at least three weeks prior to the 
submission deadline date. Your fax should be sent to Ms. Taryonka Reid 
and include the following information: The number and title of this 
announcement; the name and address of the Local Council; and your 
contact person's name, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address. 
The information will be used to determine the number of expert 
reviewers needed to evaluate applications and to update the mailing 
list for future program announcements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this Program Announcement 
and the necessary forms can be obtained by calling 1-800-351-2293. 
Copies of this Program Announcement can also be downloaded 
approximately 10 days after publication in the Federal Register from 
the Child Care Bureau's Web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/. There are standard forms that must be submitted along with your 
application. All of the necessary standard forms to accompany your 
application can be downloaded from the following Web site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm#apps.
    To ask questions about the application process, you are encouraged 
to call the ACYF Operations Center at 1-800-351-2293. If you have 
programmatic questions about the ELOA discretionary grant program, you 
may contact Carol L. Gage, Federal Project Officer at (202) 690-6243 or 
[email protected] or Sylvia Johnson, Grants Officer at (202) 401-4524 
or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The contents of the ACF Uniform 
Discretionary Grant Application for this program as well as preparation 
instructions are contained in this program announcement.
    This Supplementary Information section contains all the 
instructions needed to apply for a grant under this announcement.
    The Supplementary Information section consists of six parts and 
four appendices. Part I includes background information on the Child 
Care Bureau, general information about the Early Learning Opportunities 
Act program, a description of the goals and priorities related to this 
announcement, and relevant definitions. Part II contains key program 
information and requirements such as project duration, allowable 
activities, funding requirements, and eligibility. Part III contains 
the general instructions for preparing the Uniform Project Description. 
Part IV contains the evaluation criteria upon which applications will 
be reviewed and evaluated. Part V describes the application and 
selection process. Part VI provides the required contents of the 
application as well as instructions for submission. Appendix A is a 
sample Letter of Designation of the Local Council by an Entity of Local 
Government. Appendix B is a sample Letter of Designation of the Local 
Council and Identification of the Fiscal Agency by an Entity of Local 
Government. Appendix C is a sample format for providing information 
about the composition of the Local Council. Appendix D is a list of the 
Fiscal Year 2001 ELOA grantees and the geographic areas they serve. 
Appendix E is a list of the Fiscal Year 2002 ELOA grantees and the 
geographic areas they serve.
    The contents of the Supplementary Information section are outlined 
below:

Table of Contents

Part I. General Information
    A. The Child Care Bureau
    B. The Early Learning Opportunities Act
    C. Early Learning Opportunities Act Grants--Goals and Priorities
    D. Definitions
Part II. Program Information and Requirements
    A. Purposes
    B. Citations
    C. Number of Awards
    D. Project Duration and Budget Period
    E. Funding Levels and Reservations
    F. Allowable Early Learning Activities
    G. Non-Federal Share of Project Costs
    H. Other Financial Requirements
    I. Eligibility
    J. Protections
Part III. General Instructions for Preparing the Uniform Project 
Description
    Part I--The Project Description Overview
    A. Purpose
    B. General Instructions
    Part II--General Instructions for Preparing a Full Project 
Description
    A. Project Summary/Abstract
    B. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    C. Results and Benefits Expected
    D. Approach
    E. Evaluation
    F. Geographic Location
    G. Additional Information
    H. Budget and Budget Justification

Part IV. Evaluation Criteria

    Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Criterion 2. Approach
    Criterion 3. Results and Benefits Expected
    Criterion 4. Evaluation
    Criterion 5. Additional Information
    Criterion 6. Budget and Budget Justification
Part V. Application and Selection Process
    A. Assistance to Prospective Grantees
    B. Application Requirements
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    D. Notification under Executive Order 12372
    E. Availability of Forms and Other Materials
    F. Application Consideration and Selection
Part VI. Submission Instructions
    A. Contents of Application
    B. Submission of Application
Appendix A. Sample 1--Letter of Designation of the Local Council by 
an Entity of Local Government
Appendix B. Sample 2--Letter of Designation of the Local Council and 
Identification of the Fiscal Agent by an Entity of Local Government
Appendix C. Sample Format for Providing Information on the 
Composition of the Local Council
Appendix D. List of Fiscal Year 2001 ELOA Grantees and Geographic 
Service Areas
Appendix E. List of Fiscal Year 2002 ELOA Grantees and Geographic 
Service Areas

Part I. General Information

A. The Child Care Bureau

    The Child Care Bureau was established in 1995 to provide leadership 
to efforts to enhance the quality, affordability, and supply of child 
care. The Child Care Bureau administers the Child Care and Development 
Fund (CCDF), a $4.8 billion child care program that includes

[[Page 37832]]

funding for child care subsidies and activities to improve the quality 
and availability of child care. CCDF was created after amendments to 
ACF child care programs by Title VI of the Personal Responsibility and 
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 consolidated four Federal 
child care funding streams including the Child Care and Development 
Block Grant, AFDC/JOBS Child Care, Transitional Child Care, and At-Risk 
Child Care. With related State and Federal funding, CCDF provides more 
than $11 billion a year to States, Territories, and Tribes to help low-
income working families access child care services.
    The Bureau works closely with ACF Regional Offices, States, 
Territories, and Tribes to assist with, oversee, and document 
implementation of new policies and programs in support of State, local, 
and private sector administration of child care services and systems. 
In addition, the Bureau collaborates extensively with other offices 
throughout the Federal government to promote integrated, family-focused 
services, and coordinated child care delivery systems. In all of these 
activities, the Bureau seeks to enhance the quality, availability, and 
affordability of child care services, support children's healthy growth 
and development in safe child care environments, enhance parental 
choice and involvement in their children's care, and facilitate the 
linkage of child care with other community services.

B. The Early Learning Opportunities Act

    The Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) was passed by Congress 
to award grants to States to enable them to increase, support, expand 
and better coordinate early learning opportunities for children and 
their families through local community organizations. The purposes of 
the Act are to: (1) Increase the availability of voluntary programs, 
services, and activities that support early childhood development, 
increase parent effectiveness, and promote the learning readiness of 
young children so that they enter school ready to learn; (2) support 
parents, child care providers, and caregivers who want to incorporate 
early learning activities into the daily lives of young children; (3) 
remove barriers to the provision of an accessible system of early 
childhood learning programs in communities throughout the United 
States; (4) increase the availability and affordability of professional 
development activities and compensation for caregivers and child care 
providers; and (5) facilitate the development of community-based 
systems of collaborative service delivery models characterized by 
resource sharing, linkages between appropriate supports, and local 
planning for services.
    The Act provides that if the amount appropriated for this program 
in any fiscal year is less than $150 million, the Department of Health 
and Human Services (DHHS) shall award grants on a competitive basis 
directly to Local Councils. DHHS is administering the program under 
this special provision in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003.

C. Early Learning Opportunities Act Grants--Goals and Priorities

    In FY 2003, grants will be awarded, on a competitive basis, 
directly to those Local Councils that can best assess their community 
needs and create a plan to facilitate the development of community-
based systems and collaborative service delivery models.
    ELOA grants will be available to Local Councils that have been so 
designated by a local government entity, Indian Tribe, Regional 
Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity. Local Councils will be required 
to submit the results of a current needs and resources assessment, 
documenting the needs of the young children and families in their 
locality, as well as a local plan that addresses the most significant 
needs. To receive an ELOA grant, the plan must include activities for 
``Enhancing Early Childhood Literacy,'' and two or more of the other 
allowable ELOA activities specified in Part II, F. The implementation 
plan must describe the outcome measures and an evaluation plan for each 
proposed activity.
    In developing local plans and applications under this announcement, 
ACF encourages Local Councils to incorporate strategies to promote the 
involvement of faith-based providers.

D. Definitions

    Administrative Costs--means costs related to the overall management 
of the program, which do not directly relate to the provision of 
program services. These costs can be in both the personnel and non-
personnel budget categories and include, but are not limited to: 
Salaries of managerial and administrative staff, indirect costs, and 
other costs associated with administrative functions such as 
accounting, payroll services, or auditing. Note: Not more than three 
percent of the total Federal share received by the Local Council 
through this announcement shall be used to pay for the ``administrative 
costs'' of the Local Council, including administrative costs of any 
sub-grantees and third parties in carrying out activities funded under 
the grant.
    Budget Period--for the purposes of this announcement, budget period 
means the 17-month period of time for which ELOA funds are made 
available to a particular grantee (i.e., beginning on September 30, 
2003, and ending on February 28, 2005).
    Caregiver--means an individual, including a relative, neighbor, or 
family friend, who regularly or frequently provides care, with or 
without compensation, for a child for whom the individual is not the 
parent.
    Child Care Provider--means a provider of non-residential child care 
services (including center-based, family-based, and in-home child care 
services) for compensation who or that is legally operating under State 
law, and in compliance with applicable State and local requirements for 
the provision of child care services.
    Early Learning--when used with respect to a program or activity, 
means learning designed to facilitate the development of cognitive, 
language, motor, and social-emotional skills for, and to promote 
learning readiness in, young children (see definition of young child).
    Early Learning Program--means a program of services or activities 
that helps parents, caregivers, and child care providers to incorporate 
early learning into the daily lives of young children; or a program 
that directly provides early learning to young children.
    Indian Tribe--has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
450b).
    Local Council--means a Local Council established or designated by a 
local government, Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native 
Hawaiian entity to serve as applicant under this announcement serving 
one or more localities.
    Local Government--means a county, municipality, city, town, 
township, borough, parish, select board, council of local governments 
(whether or not incorporated as a non-profit corporation under State 
law), intra-state district, a general purpose unit of local government, 
and any other interstate or regional unit of local government. ``Local 
Government'' does not mean any of the 50 States, or any agency or 
instrumentality of a State exclusive of local governments.
    Locality--means a city, county, borough, township, or area served 
by another general purpose unit of local government, an Indian Tribe, a 
Regional Corporation, or a Native Hawaiian entity.

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    Native Hawaiian Entity--means a private non-profit organization 
that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians, and is recognized by the 
Governor of Hawaii for the purpose of planning, conducting, or 
administering programs (or parts of programs) for the benefit of Native 
Hawaiians.
    Non-Federal Share--means that portion of project costs not borne by 
the Federal government. Under ELOA, the minimum required Non-Federal 
Share is 15 percent of the total cost of the approved project.
    Parent--means a biological parent, an adoptive parent, a 
stepparent, a foster parent, or a legal guardian of, or a person 
standing in loco parentis to a child.
    Program Income--means gross income earned by the grantee or 
subgrantee that is directly generated by a grant supported activity, or 
earned only as a result of the award. 45 CFR parts 74 and 92 include 
similar types of earned revenue, which qualify as program income. These 
include but are not limited to income from fees for services performed 
and the use of rental property.
    Project Period--for the purposes of this announcement, project 
period means the 17-month period starting on September 30, 2003, and 
ending on February 28, 2005.
    Real Property--means land, including land improvements, structures 
and appurtenances thereto, excluding movable machinery and equipment.
    Regional Corporation--means a Native Alaska Regional Corporation; 
an entity listed in section 419(4)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 619(4)(B)).
    Training--means instruction in early learning that--(a) is required 
for certification under State and local laws, regulations, and 
policies; (b) is required to receive a nationally or State recognized 
credential or its equivalent; (c) is received in a postsecondary 
education program focused on early learning or early childhood 
development in which the individual is enrolled; or (d) is provided, 
certified, or sponsored by an organization that is recognized for its 
expertise in promoting early learning or early childhood development.
    Young Child--for purposes of this program, means any child from 
birth to the age of mandatory school attendance in the State where the 
child resides.

Part II. Program Information and Requirements

A. Purposes

    The purposes of the Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) are--
    [sbull] To increase the availability of voluntary programs, 
services, and activities that support early childhood development, 
increase parent effectiveness, and promote the learning readiness of 
young children so that they enter school ready to learn;
    [sbull] To support parents, child care providers, and caregivers 
who want to incorporate early learning activities into the daily lives 
of young children;
    [sbull] To remove barriers to the provision of an accessible system 
of early childhood learning programs in communities throughout the 
United States;
    [sbull] To increase the availability and affordability of 
professional development activities and compensation for caregivers and 
child care providers; and
    [sbull] To facilitate the development of community-based systems of 
collaborative service delivery models characterized by resource 
sharing, linkages between appropriate supports, and local planning for 
services.

B. Citations

    1. Sponsorship: Grants being awarded under this announcement are 
sponsored by the Child Care Bureau (the Bureau) of the Administration 
on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) in the Administration for 
Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services (DHHS). The Bureau will manage the grants.
    2. Funding Authority: Funding is provided by ACF under the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-7 and Pub. L. 106-
554, the Early Learning Opportunities Act.)

C. Number of Awards

    The Bureau estimates that up to 50 grants will be awarded in FY 
2003, subject to the availability of funds and the results of the 
review process.

D. Project Duration and Budget Period

    The project period for all ELOA grants will be 17 months and will 
begin on September 30, 2003, and end on February 28, 2005.

E. Funding Levels and Reservations

    Individual awards will be between $250,000 and $1,000,000 depending 
on the size of the population to be served as well as geographic area 
to be served and the reasonableness of the budget in relationship to 
the services to be provided. While this will vary depending on the 
scope of the applications submitted, awards are expected to average 
$700,000. Applicants that request Federal funds in excess of $1,000,000 
will be considered ``non-responsive'' and will be returned to the 
applicant without further review.
    The Act (section 809) provides that the Secretary shall reserve a 
portion of each year's total ELOA appropriation for Indian Tribes, 
Regional Corporations, and Native Hawaiian entities. ACF anticipates 
competitively awarding funds to at least one Local Council designated 
by an Indian Tribe and one Local Council designated by an Alaska Native 
Regional Corporation or Native Hawaiian entity, subject to receipt of 
applications meeting the requirements of the Act as reflected in this 
announcement. ACF is setting aside no less than one percent of the FY 
2003 ELOA appropriation for these purposes.

F. Allowable Early Learning Activities

    In general, Local Councils may use ELOA funds to pay for 
developing, operating, or enhancing voluntary early learning programs 
that are likely to produce sustained gains in early learning. The 
President has identified the enhancement of early childhood literacy as 
a priority for this administration. Therefore, for FY 2003 grants, the 
Child Care Bureau will only consider for funding those Local Councils 
that include in their applications activities for ``Enhancing Early 
Childhood Literacy'' (see Item 1. below), AND two or more of the other 
allowable activities listed below (i.e., Items 2 through 8).
    The Project Summary/Abstract must contain statements that clearly 
identify which of the following allowable early learning activities are 
included in the project.
    1. Enhancing early childhood literacy AND two or more of the 
following allowable activities:
    2. Helping parents, caregivers, child care providers, and educators 
increase their capacity to facilitate the development of cognitive, 
language comprehension, expressive language, social emotional, and 
motor skills, and promote learning readiness;
    3. Promoting effective parenting;
    4. Developing linkages among early learning programs within a 
community and between early learning programs and health care services 
for young children;
    5. Increasing access to early learning opportunities for young 
children with special needs including developmental delays, by 
facilitating coordination with other programs serving such young 
children;
    6. Increasing access to existing early learning programs by 
expanding the days or times that the young children are served, by 
expanding the number of

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young children served, or by improving the affordability of the 
programs for low-income families;
    7. Improving the quality of early learning programs through 
professional development and training activities, increased 
compensation, and recruitment and retention incentives for early 
learning providers;
    8. Removing ancillary barriers to early learning, including 
transportation difficulties and absence of programs during 
nontraditional work times.

G. Non-Federal Share of Project Costs

    Grantees must provide at least 15 percent of the total approved 
project cost. The total approved project cost is the sum of the Federal 
share and the non-Federal share. Therefore, a project requesting 
$500,000 in Federal funds must include a match of at least $88,235 (15 
percent of the total approved project cost). To compute the non-Federal 
share divide the Federal share by .85 and subtract the Federal share 
from that amount. For example: $500,000 / .85 = $588,235 - $500,000 = 
$88,235. The total approved project cost in this example is $588,235.
    The non-Federal share may be contributed in cash or in-kind, fairly 
evaluated, including facilities, equipment, or services, which may be 
provided from State or local public sources, or through donations from 
private entities. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term 
``facilities'' includes the use of facilities, but, the term 
``equipment'' means donated equipment and not the use of equipment. 
Applicants are strongly discouraged from providing non-Federal share 
resources in excess of the required 15 percent. Applicants that provide 
more than the required 15 percent will not receive any additional 
credit or points under the evaluation criteria.
    Applicants are encouraged to provide Letter(s) of Commitment from 
the State, local public and private organizations/agencies, and any 
other source that will be contributing toward the Applicant's non-
Federal share of project costs. The Letter(s) of Commitment should 
state the amount to be contributed and the form of the contribution 
(i.e., cash or in-kind). Note: Letter(s) of Commitment are not to be 
confused with Letter(s) of Support or with the Letter of Designation by 
an Entity of Local Government.
    Applicants that are awarded an ELOA grant (Grantees) will be held 
accountable on the grant award for commitments of the non-Federal share 
even if the approved amount exceeds the required minimum of 15 percent. 
Failure, by the Grantee to provide the amount of the non-Federal share 
specified on the grant award when the grant is closed-out, may result 
in a proportionate reduction of the Federal share or other disallowance 
action (e.g., Grantee returns Federal funds). Grantees should be aware 
that they may not be allowed post-award to reduce any excess amount of 
the non-Federal share if they contribute more than the minimum 15 
percent required.

H. Other Financial Requirements

    1. Amounts received shall be used to supplement and not supplant 
other
    Federal, State, and local public funds expended to promote early 
learning. No funds provided shall be used to carry-out an activity 
funded under another provision of law providing for Federal child care 
or early learning programs, unless an expansion of such activity is 
identified in the local needs assessment and performance goals.
    2. Not more than three percent of the total Federal share received 
by the Local Council through this announcement shall be used to pay for 
the administrative costs (as defined in Part I, D.) of the Local 
Council, including the administrative costs of any of its sub-grantees 
and third parties, in carrying-out activities funded under the grant.
    3. Local Councils receiving assistance under the ELOA shall ensure 
that programs, services, and activities assisted under this program, 
which customarily require a payment for such programs, services, or 
activities, adjust the cost of such programs, services, and activities 
provided to the individual or the individual's child based on the 
individual's ability to pay.
    4. Applications proposing to use ELOA funds for construction 
purposes or for the purchase of real property will not be considered 
for funding.
    5. Any non-profit organization submitting an application must 
submit proof of its non-profit status at the time of submission. The 
non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a copy of the 
applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent 
list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently valid IRS tax 
exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles of 
incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or 
association is domiciled, or any of the items above for a State or 
national parent organization and a statement signed by the parent 
organization that the applicant organization is a local non-profit 
affiliate. Private, non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit 
with their applications the optional survey located under ``Grant 
Manuals & Forms'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    6. For-profit organizations submitting an application must provide 
a letter stating that their fees/profits will be waived if awarded an 
ELOA grant.

I. Eligibility

1. Letter(s) of Designation (Designation of Local Council by Local 
Government Entity)

    An eligible applicant for an FY 2003 ELOA grant must be a Local 
Council designated, in writing, by a local government entity(ies) (or 
Indian Tribe, Regional Corporation, or Native Hawaiian entity) as a 
``Local Council'' to serve one or more localities for the purpose of 
applying for an ELOA discretionary grant. The applicant must include a 
``Letter of Designation'' in its application from an appropriate local 
government entity(ies) specifically designating it as the Local Council 
for the purpose of applying for an ELOA grant.
    Because the structure and authority of local governments differ 
greatly across the nation, and even within a State, it is the 
responsibility of the applicant to determine and identify the 
appropriate entity(ies) of local government to designate them as the 
Local Council for an ELOA grant application. Examples of local 
government entities include but are not limited to: Mayors, city 
managers, city councils, county boards of supervisors, county boards of 
commissioners, county administrators, Tribal Councils, boards of 
municipal officers, etc. The local government entity(ies) making the 
designation must also clearly explain in its letter the source/nature 
of its authority to make such a designation on behalf of the 
locality(ies) it represents.
    Applicants serving multiple localities (e.g., cities, townships, 
boroughs, counties) are strongly encouraged to obtain a Letter of 
Designation from an appropriate entity of local government from each of 
the localities to be served. Appendices A and B are sample Letters of 
Designation that meet this eligibility requirement. Applicants are 
strongly encouraged to tilize the language and format provided in the 
sample Letters of Designation. Appendix A is a sample Letter of 
Designation of the Local Council when the services of a Fiscal Agent 
will not be used, while Appendix B is a sample Letter of Designation 
for a Local Council that will use a Fiscal Agent.
    ``Letter(s) of Support'' for the Local Council from a local 
government entity(ies) will not be considered as

[[Page 37835]]

meeting the eligibility requirements for a Letter of Designation. 
Applications that do not include a Letter of Designation from an 
appropriate entity of local government will be disqualified and not 
competed for an award.
    Applicants from Indian Tribes and Regional Corporations must 
include a tribal resolution from the governing body of the Tribe(s) or 
Regional Corporation(s), designating a Local Council for the purpose of 
the ELOA. In general, the Tribal Council would not be considered a 
Local Council for ELOA unless its membership also meets the composition 
requirements described below (see Composition of Local Council).
    ``State'' governments do not meet the definition of ``Local 
Government'' (see Part I (D)). Therefore, a Letter(s) of Designation 
from an entity(ies) of State Government will not be considered as 
meeting these eligibility requirements.
    Local Councils that were formed prior to the date of enactment of 
the ELOA and that meet the membership requirements below will be 
considered eligible for the purposes of applying for an ELOA grant if a 
Letter(s) of Designation from an appropriate entity(ies) of local 
government is submitted as part of the application. In localities where 
a Local Council does not exist, one may be formed and designated for 
the purposes of applying for an ELOA grant.
    In addition, Local Councils may be faith-based organizations or may 
include faith-based organizations in their membership, provided that 
the eligibility criteria outlined below are met.

2. Composition of a Local Council

    To receive an award, the membership of the Local Council must be 
composed of:
    a. Representatives of local agencies that will be directly affected 
by early learning programs assisted under the ELOA and this 
announcement;
    b. Parents;
    c. Other individuals concerned with early learning issues in the 
locality, such as representatives of entities providing elementary 
education, child care resource and referral services, early learning 
opportunities, child care, and health services; and
    d. Other key community leaders.

3. Local Council as Applicant and Designation of Fiscal Agent

    The Local Council must be the applicant under this announcement 
(See Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424, Items 5-7) and, if 
selected to receive a grant, will be responsible for ensuring 
compliance with all activities and terms of the grant.
    A Local Council may enter into an agreement with an entity that is 
affected by, or concerned with early learning issues, and that has a 
demonstrated capacity for administering grants, to serve as Fiscal 
Agent for the administration of grant funds received by the Local 
Council under this program. This may include faith-based organizations 
or a State.
    When a Local Council will use a Fiscal Agent, the Fiscal Agent's 
name and Employer Identification Number (EIN) must be included in the 
``Letter of Designation'' (See Appendix B). In such instances, 
identifying information for the Local Council is entered in Item 5 
(Applicant Information, Legal Name) and Item 7 (Type of Applicant), and 
the EIN for the Fiscal Agent is entered in Item 6 on the Application 
for Federal Assistance (SF-424).

4. Geographic Location and Locality(ies) To Be Served

    Applicants must describe the precise location of the project and 
boundaries of the area to be served at the beginning of the Project 
Description Summary/Abstract (see Part III, A. below) including the 
following: the State, county(ies), and specific locality(ies) (e.g., 
city, town, township, borough, parish, or area served by another 
general purpose unit of local government, Indian Tribe, Regional 
Corporation (Alaska), or Native Hawaiian entity).
    a. Applications received from different applicants (Local Councils) 
that are proposing to serve the same or overlapping geographic areas 
will be disqualified and not competed for an award. For example, if a 
Local Council proposing to serve all of County X applies, and a Local 
Council proposing to serve only Community A, which is within County X, 
also applies, both applications will be excluded from the review and 
not competed for an award.
    b. Applicants proposing to serve all or part of a geographic area 
currently being served by an ELOA grantee whose grant is expected to be 
in effect on September 30, 2003 will be excluded and not competed for 
an award (See Appendices D and E).

5. Other Eligibility Information

    a. Local Councils in each of the 50 States of the United States, 
the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are 
eligible to apply under this announcement.
    b. FY 2001 ELOA grantees whose grant project period ends on or 
before September 29, 2003 are eligible to apply for a FY 2003 grant 
under this program announcement. Note: The project period for grantees 
is noted in Block 9 of the ``Financial Assistance Award'' document.
    c. To be considered eligible for a new award, applicants may not 
have a pending request to extend their existing ELOA grant project 
period beyond September 29, 2003.
    d. The 31 Local Councils (and the localities served by those Local 
Councils) that received FY 2002 ELOA grants will not be considered for 
FY 2003 awards under this announcement (See Appendix E).
    e. Only Local Councils, not individuals or individual 
organizations/agencies, are eligible to apply under this announcement.
    f. Applicants proposing to use ELOA funds for construction purposes 
or for the purchase of real property will be disqualified and not 
competed for an award.
    g. ``Letter(s) of Support'' for the Local Council from a local 
government entity(ies) will not be considered as meeting the 
eligibility requirements for a ``Letter of Designation.'' Applications 
from Local Councils that do not include a Letter of Designation from an 
appropriate entity of local government will be disqualified and not 
competed for an award.
    h. Applications from Local Councils that are designated as the 
Local Council by an entity of State Government only, and not by an 
entity(ies) of local government, will be disqualified and not competed 
for an award.

J. Protections

    1. No person, including a parent, shall be required to participate 
in any program of early childhood education, early learning, parent 
education, or developmental screening pursuant to the provisions of the 
Early Learning Opportunities Act.
    2. Nothing in the Early Learning Opportunities Act shall be 
construed to affect the rights of parents otherwise established in 
Federal, State, or local law.
    3. No entity that receives funds under the Early Learning 
Opportunities Act shall be required to provide services under this 
announcement through a particular instructional method or in a 
particular instructional setting to comply with the ELOA.

[[Page 37836]]

Part III. General Instructions for Preparing the Uniform Project 
Description

Part I--The Project Description--Overview

A. Purpose

    The project description provides a major means by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications 
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and 
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are 
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can 
present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project 
description, all information requested through each specific evaluation 
criteria should be provided. Awarding offices use this and other 
information in making their funding recommendations. It is important, 
therefore, that this information be included in the application.

B. General Instructions

    ACF is particularly interested in specific factual information and 
statements of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project 
descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance, not length. 
Extensive exhibits are not required. Cross-referencing should be used 
rather than repetition. Supporting information concerning activities 
that will not be directly funded by the grant or information that does 
not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded activity 
should be placed in an appendix.
    Pages should be numbered and a table of contents should be included 
for easy reference.

Part II--General Instructions for Preparing A Full Project Description

A. Project Summary/Abstract

    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.

B. Objectives and Need for Assistance

    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and/or other problem(s) requiring a solution. The need 
for assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support from concerned parties other 
than the applicant, may be included. Any relevant data based on 
planning studies should be included or referred to in the endnotes/
footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and participant/beneficiary 
information, as needed. In developing the project description, the 
applicant may volunteer or be requested to provide information on the 
total range of projects currently being conducted and supported (or to 
be initiated), some of which may be outside the scope of the program 
announcement.

C. Results and Benefits Expected

    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, 
explain how your proposed project will achieve the specific goals and 
objectives you have set; specify the number of children and families to 
be served, and how the services to be provided will be funded 
consistent with the local needs assessment. Or, explain how the 
expected results will benefit the population to be served in meeting 
its needs for early learning services and activities. What benefits 
will families derive from these services? How will the services help 
them? What lessons will be learned which might help other agencies and 
organizations that are addressing the needs of a similar client 
population?

D. Approach

    Outline a plan of action, which describes the scope and detail of 
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions 
or activities identified in the application. Cite factors, which might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the number of people to be served and the number of activities 
accomplished. For example, for any project that will include informal 
caregivers, including friends, family and in-home child care providers, 
or caregivers who are somewhat isolated, such as child care providers 
who operate alone or in rural areas, please describe the means by which 
training and technical assistance will be made available to such 
informal and/or isolated caregivers and quality child care will be 
supported/assured. The Child Care Bureau is interested in encouraging 
the appropriate use of innovative approaches, especially including 
distance learning techniques and other uses of technology, to meeting 
the needs of child care providers and parents. If distance learning 
techniques, such as use of public television, satellite downlinks, or 
internet-based instruction, will be used for this purpose, please 
describe those techniques. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by 
activity or function, list them in chronological order to show the 
schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.
    If any data is to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearances may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of 
information that is conducted or sponsored by ACF.''
    List organizations, cooperating entities, consultants, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project along with a short description 
of the nature of their effort or contribution.

E. Evaluation

    Provide a narrative addressing how the results of the project and 
the conduct of the project will be evaluated. In addressing the 
evaluation of results, state how you will determine the extent to which 
the project has achieved its stated objectives, and the extent to which 
the accomplishment of objectives can be attributed to the project. 
Discuss the criteria to be used to evaluate results, and explain the 
methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified and 
discussed are being met, and if the project results and benefits are 
being achieved. With respect to the conduct of the project, define the 
procedures to be employed to determine whether the project is being 
conducted in a manner consistent with the work plan presented and 
discuss the impact of the project's various activities on the project's 
effectiveness.

F. Geographic Location

    Describe the precise geographic location of the project and 
boundaries of the area to be served by the proposed project. Maps or 
other graphic aids may be attached.

G. Additional Information

    Following are requests for additional information that need to be 
included in the application:
1. Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organizations(s) and 
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers,

[[Page 37837]]

contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any 
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of 
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission.
    The non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a copy of 
the applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most 
recent list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) 
of the IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently valid IRS tax 
exemption certificate; or by providing a copy of the articles of 
incorporation bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or 
association is domiciled.
2. Staff and Position Data
    Provide a biographical sketch for each key person appointed and a 
job description for each vacant key position. A biographical sketch 
will also be required for new key staff as appointed.
3. Third-Party Agreements
    Include written agreements between grantees and subgrantees or 
subcontractors or other cooperating entities. These agreements must 
detail scope of work to be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and 
other terms and conditions that structure or define the relationship.
4. Letters of Support
    Provide statements from the community, public and commercial 
leaders that support the project proposed for funding. All submissions 
should be included in the application OR by application deadline.
5. Plan for Project Continuance Beyond Grant Support
    Provide a plan for securing resources and continuing project 
activities after Federal assistance has ceased.

H. Budget and Budget Justification

    Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget 
object class identified in the Budget Information form. Detailed 
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, 
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to 
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the 
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.

General

    The following are guidelines for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative justification. For purposes 
of preparing the budget and budget justification, ``Federal resources'' 
refers only to the ACF grant for which you are applying. Non-Federal 
resources are all other Federal and non-Federal resources. It is 
suggested that budget amounts and computations be presented in a 
columnar format: first column, object class categories; second column, 
Federal budget; next column(s), non-Federal budget(s), and last column, 
total budget. The budget justification should be a narrative.

Personnel

    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.

Fringe Benefits

    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.

Travel

    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored workshops should be detailed in the budget.

Equipment

    Description: ``Equipment'' means an article of nonexpendable, 
tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year 
and an acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of (a) the 
capitalization level established by the organization for the financial 
statement purposes, or (b) $5,000. (Note: Acquisition cost means the 
net invoice unit price of an item of equipment, including the cost of 
any modifications, attachments, accessories, or auxiliary apparatus 
necessary to make it usable for the purpose for which it is acquired. 
Ancillary charges, such as taxes, duty, protective in-transit 
insurance, freight, and installation shall be included in or excluded 
from acquisition cost in accordance with the organization's regular 
written accounting practices.)
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy which includes the 
equipment definition.

Supplies

    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information, which supports 
the amount requested.

Contractual

    Description: Costs of all contracts for services and goods except 
for those that belong under other categories such as equipment, 
supplies, construction, etc. Third-party evaluation contracts (if 
applicable) and contracts with secondary recipient organizations, 
including delegate agencies and specific project(s) or businesses to be 
financed by the applicant, should be included under this category.
    Justification: All procurement transactions shall be conducted in a 
manner to provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and free 
competition. Recipients and subrecipients, other than States that are 
required to use Part 92 procedures, must justify any anticipated 
procurement action that is expected to be awarded without competition 
and exceed the simplified acquisition threshold fixed at 41 U.S.C. 
403(11) (currently set at

[[Page 37838]]

$100,000). Recipients might be required to make available to ACF pre-
award review and procurement documents, such as request for proposals 
or invitations for bids, independent cost estimates, etc.

    Note: Whenever the applicant intends to delegate part of the 
project to another agency, the applicant must provide a detailed 
budget and budget narrative for each delegate agency, by agency 
title, along with the required supporting information referred to in 
these instructions.

Other

    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (noncontractual), professional services costs, 
space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer use, 
training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development costs, 
and administrative.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description, and a 
justification for each cost under this category.

Indirect Charges

    Total amount of indirect costs. This category should be used only 
when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate approved by the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or another cognizant 
Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an 
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the 
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for 
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant 
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals 
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.

Program Income

    Description: The estimated amount of income, if any, expected to be 
generated from this project.
    Justification: Describe the nature, source, and anticipated use of 
program income in the budget or refer to the pages in the application, 
which contain this information.

Non-Federal Resources

    Description: Amounts of non-Federal resources that will be used to 
support the project as identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Justification: The firm commitment of these resources must be 
documented and submitted with the application in order to be given 
credit in the review process. A detailed budget must be prepared for 
each funding source.

Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs

[Self-explanatory]

Part IV. Evaluation Criteria

Criterion 1. Objectives and Need for Assistance (25 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates the need for 
assistance including identification and discussion of its needs and 
resources assessment concerning early learning services and the 
relevancy of the results as the basis for determining its objectives 
and need for assistance for early learning services. Relevant data from 
the needs and resources assessment should be included. Participant and 
beneficiary information must also be included.
    2. The extent to which the applicant describes the context of the 
proposed project, including the characteristics of the community, 
magnitude and severity of the problem, and the needs to be addressed.
    3. The extent to which the applicant presents a vision of the 
project it anticipates developing; defines its goals and specific 
measurable objectives of the project; describes how its goals and 
objectives are linked together; and explains how implementation will 
fulfill the purposes of the ELOA. The applicant must demonstrate an 
understanding that goals are end products of a project, while 
objectives are measurable steps toward attainment of the goals. The 
applicant must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the importance 
of early learning services and activities that help parents, 
caregivers, and child care providers incorporate early learning into 
the daily lives of young children, as well as programs that directly 
provide early learning to young children.
    4. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates how it will 
support activities/projects that maximize the use of resources through 
collaboration with other early learning programs, provide continuity of 
services for young children across the age spectrum, and help parents 
and other caregivers promote early learning with their young children. 
The applicant must provide information about how decisions will be made 
about who will provide each early learning service and/or activity 
funded through this grant.
    5. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that it has 
worked with local education agencies to identify cognitive, social, and 
emotional, and motor developmental abilities which are necessary to 
support children's readiness for school; that the programs, services, 
and activities assisted under this title will represent developmentally 
appropriate steps toward the acquisition of those abilities; and, that 
the programs, services, and activities assisted provide benefits for 
children cared for in their own homes as well as children placed in the 
care of others.

Criterion 2. Approach (25 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant describes its project design, 
services, product development and dissemination. The applicant should 
present an approach that: (a) Reflects an understanding of the 
characteristics, needs, and services currently available to the target 
population; (b) is based on current theory, research, and/or best 
practices; (c) is appropriate and feasible; (d) can be reliably 
evaluated; (e) could be replicated, if successful; and (f) can be 
sustained after Federal funding has ceased.
    2. The extent to which the applicant includes a detailed plan that 
identifies goals and objectives, relates those goals and objectives to 
the findings of its needs and resources assessment, and provides a work 
plan identifying specific activities necessary to accomplish the stated 
goals and objectives. The plan must demonstrate that each of the 
project objectives and activities supports the current needs and 
resource assessment and can be accomplished with the available or 
expected resources during the proposed project period.
    3. The extent to which the plan: (a) Describes the sequence and 
timing of the major activities, tasks and subtasks, important 
milestones, and reports, and indicates when each will be accomplished 
(a timeline is recommended). The applicant's plan should provide 
quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the accomplishments to 
be achieved for each function or activity in such terms as the number 
of people to be served and the number of activities

[[Page 37839]]

accomplished. When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or 
function, the accomplishments are listed in chronological order to show 
the schedule of accomplishments and target dates.
    4. The extent to which the applicant: (a) Specifies who will 
conduct the activities under each objective; (b) describes how 
subcontractors will be chosen and held accountable for carrying out 
activities in compliance with this application, and grant terms and 
conditions; (c) describes how actual and perceived conflict of interest 
will be avoided if the Local Council is also a direct service provider; 
and (d) indicates how programs, services, and activities will be 
provided based on the family's ability to pay (for those services that 
customarily require a payment).
    5. The extent to which the applicant describes how the project will 
form collaborations among local early learning, youth, social service, 
educational providers (including faith-based organizations) and, as 
appropriate, organizations that can facilitate distance learning, to 
maximize resources and concentrate efforts on areas of greatest need.
    6. The extent to which the applicant describes its work with local 
educational agencies to identify cognitive, social, emotional, and 
motor developmental abilities, which are necessary to support 
children's readiness for school.
    7. The extent to which the applicant's programs, services, and 
activities assisted under ELOA will represent developmentally 
appropriate steps toward the acquisition of those abilities.
    8. The extent to which the applicant's programs, services, and 
activities assisted under this announcement provide benefits for 
children cared for in their own homes as well as children placed in the 
care of others.
    9. The extent to which the applicant's plan: (a) Describes how the 
project will be structured and managed; (b) defines the procedures to 
be used to determine whether the project is being conducted in a manner 
consistent with the work plan; (c) lists organizations, cooperating 
entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the 
project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution to the project; (d) discusses the impact of the project's 
various activities on the project's effectiveness including factors 
that may affect project implementation or outcomes and presents 
realistic strategies for resolution of these difficulties; (e) 
describes how timeliness of activities will be ensured, how quality 
control will be maintained, and how costs will be controlled; and (f) 
describes how unanticipated problems will be resolved to ensure that 
the project will be completed on time and with a high degree of 
quality.
    10. If the project includes the use of any distance learning 
techniques in support of informal or isolated child care providers, the 
extent to which the purposes of distance learning are clearly described 
and appropriate objectives are identified for specific types of child 
care providers. (If distance learning is not an element of the project, 
then this sub-criterion does not apply.)

Criterion 3. Results and Benefits Expected (15 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant specifies the number of 
children and families to be served and how the services to be provided 
will be funded consistent with the results of the needs assessment.
    2. The extent to which the applicant explains how the expected 
results will benefit the population to be served in meeting its needs 
for early learning services and activities.
    3. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that completion 
of the proposed objectives will result in specific, measurable results.

Criterion 4. Evaluation (15 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant appropriately links its needs 
and resources assessment, proposed activities, and anticipated results 
and benefits, and describes how the proposed evaluation will 
demonstrate the effectiveness of its activities and services in 
addressing the needs identified under its needs and resources 
assessment. The applicant must demonstrate how the results or benefits 
identified for each objective will serve as standards for evaluating 
the achievement of objectives at the end of the project period (i.e., 
17 months).
    2. The extent to which the applicant's evaluation plan includes a 
process component that describes the activities of the project, how the 
project will operate, how well the design was followed, and the extent 
to which it produced the expected results. It should contain an outcome 
component with output and outcome measures. For example, in addition to 
numbers of families and children served, what benefits did families 
derive from these services?
    3. The extent to which the applicant that demonstrates the 
relationships among the needs identified in the needs and resources 
assessment, the activities/interventions proposed, and anticipated 
results and benefits. For example, the applicant could provide a 
diagram (logic model) for demonstration purposes.
    4. The extent to which the design and implementation of its 
evaluation plan is methodologically sound, appropriate to the 
activities/interventions implemented, and demonstrates the extent to 
which program goals/objectives will be achieved.
    5. The extent to which the applicant has allocated sufficient funds 
in the project budget to implement the proposed evaluation activities.
    6. The extent to which the evaluation plan reflects sensitivity to 
technical, logistical, cultural, and ethical issues that may arise and 
includes realistic strategies for the resolution of difficulties.
    7. The extent to which the evaluation plans adequately protects 
human subjects, confidentiality of data, and consent procedures, as 
appropriate.
    8. If any distance learning technique is to be employed, the extent 
to which it is related to specific desired results for specified 
providers and there is a means by which to test for these results or 
contrast the results of distance learning with other techniques for 
providing information and assistance and supporting quality among child 
care providers. (If distance learning is not an element of the project, 
this sub-criterion does not apply.)

Criterion 5. Staff and Position Data/Organizational Profiles (10 
Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant (Local Council) provides 
information and evidence of its management and administrative structure 
including its organizational capacity, and if applicable, that of its 
Fiscal Agent. Organizational capacity includes: (a) Demonstrated 
ability to manage a project of the proposed size and scope; (b) 
demonstrated successful experience with the target population; (c) a 
Local Council (and/or designated individuals) that is qualified and 
experienced to manage the project; (d) a demonstrated commitment to 
developing and sustaining working relationships among key stakeholders; 
(e) demonstrated experience and commitment of any third parties 
including consultants; and (f) an appropriate organizational structure, 
including the management information system, to implement the project.
    2. The extent to which the applicant (Local Council) demonstrates 
its staff and organizational experience particularly in areas of 
facilitating needs and resources assessments and collaborative 
activities as they relate to early learning services. The applicant 
must also document its experience in

[[Page 37840]]

facilitating such activities and the length of time the applicant has 
been involved in these activities. The application clearly shows the 
successful management of projects of similar scope by the organization, 
and/or by the individuals designated to manage the project.
    3. The extent to which the applicant provides position descriptions 
and/or resumes of key personnel, including those of consultants, which 
clearly relate to the personnel staffing required to achieve the ELOA 
project objectives and the proposed budget. The position descriptions 
and resumes must clearly describe the qualifications, any specialized 
skills, and duties for each position necessary for overall quality of 
the project. Resumes must be included if individuals have been 
identified for positions in the application. The applicant must also 
list organizations and consultants who will participate in the project 
along with a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution.
    4. The extent to which the applicant describes its agency including 
the types, quantities, and costs of services it provides. The applicant 
must discuss the role of other organizations that will be involved in 
providing direct services to children and families through this grant.
    5. If the Local Council plans to work with a fiscal agent, that 
entity, its qualifications, and its relationship to the Council must be 
described. The extent to which the applicant and/or its fiscal agent 
demonstrates that it has sufficient fiscal and accounting capacity to 
ensure prudent use, proper disbursement, and accurate accounting of 
funds.
    6. The extent to which the applicant provides organizational charts 
for the Local Council, its members, and any third-party, including a 
list of all sites, addresses, phone numbers, and staff contacts and 
titles.
    7. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates active 
participation of the entire Local Council in the development of its 
application and the project, including a description of the ongoing 
role of the Local Council in the implementation of the project, and 
methods for documenting its participation. Such evidence includes but 
is not limited to minutes of council meetings, council resolutions, 
newspaper articles, and community surveys.
    8. The extent to which the applicant includes third-party 
agreements with cooperating entities, which detail the scope of work to 
be performed, work schedules, remuneration, and any other terms and 
conditions that structure or define the relationship. Information about 
new agreements that will be executed with subgrantees, contractors, or 
other cooperating entities should also be included. If no written 
agreements exist, sample/draft agreements may be submitted.
    9. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates support for the 
project from parents, the community at-large, and other key leaders and 
stakeholders.
    10. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a feasible plan 
for securing resources and continuing project activities, if 
applicable, after Federal assistance has ceased. The applicant should 
demonstrate its understanding that the ACF is interested in funding 
projects that will be completed, self-sustaining, or financed by other 
than ELOA funds at the end of the project period.

Criterion 6. Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)

    1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the funds 
requested will be used for early learning services that are allowed 
under this announcement. The discussion must refer to (1) the budget 
information presented on Standard Forms 424 and 424A and the 
applicant's budget justification and (2) the results or benefits 
identified under Criterion 3 above.
    2. The extent to which the project's costs are reasonable in view 
of the activities to be carried out, that the funds are appropriately 
allocated across component areas, and that the budget is sufficient to 
accomplish the objectives.
    3. The extent to which the applicant's narrative budget 
justification provides detailed calculations that describe how the 
categorical costs are derived. Detailed calculations must include 
estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar 
quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated. 
For example: To compute salary costs for a full-time employee who will 
be employed for the entire 17-months of the ELOA project, divide the 
annual salary by 12 and then multiply by 17. To compute the costs for a 
full-time employee who will be paid by the hour for the entire 17-month 
project, multiply 2,947 hours by the hourly wage. The full-time 
equivalent for a 12-month position is 2,080 hours. The applicant should 
specify the costs for the entire 17-month ELOA project period, not 
separate costs into 12-month and a five-month budgets.
    4. The extent to which the applicant provided sufficient funds in 
the project budget to implement the proposed evaluation activities.
    5. If there is a distance learning component of the project, and 
that component includes evaluation of the efficacy of any distance 
learning technique(s) for child care providers, the extent to which the 
costs of that evaluation are adequately considered and provided for in 
the budget.
    6. Funds must be allocated to allow two representatives from the 
Local Council to attend one two-day grantee meeting in Washington, DC.
    7. Applicants are encouraged to provide Letter(s) of Commitment 
from the State, local public and private organizations/agencies, and 
any other source that will be contributing toward the Applicant's non-
Federal share of project costs. The Letter(s) of Commitment should 
state the amount to be contributed and the form of the contribution 
(i.e., cash or in-kind). Note: Letter(s) of Commitment are not to be 
confused with Letter(s) of Support or with the Letter of Designation by 
an Entity of Local Government.

Part V. Application and Selection Process

A. Assistance to Prospective Grantees

    Potential grantees should direct questions about application 
process and forms to the ACYF Operations Center at 1-800-351-2293 and 
refer to the Program Announcement No. ACYF-PA-CCB-2003-01. Questions 
about the ELOA program requirements may be directed to Carol L. Gage, 
ELOA Federal Project Officer, at (202) 690-6243 or [email protected].

B. Application Requirements

    To be considered for a grant, each application must be submitted on 
the forms provided in the application package and in accordance with 
the guidance provided in Parts V and VI below.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13)

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average eight hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
reviewing the collection of information.
    The project description is approved under Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Control Number 0970-0139, which expires December 31, 2003.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

[[Page 37841]]

D. Notification Under Executive Order 12372

    This program announcement is not covered under Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' and 45 CFR 
Part 100, ``Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human 
Services Program and Activities.''

E. Availability of Forms and Other Materials

    A copy of the standard forms that must be submitted as part of an 
application and instructions for completing the application are 
provided in the application package. These standard forms can also be 
downloaded and printed from the following Web site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
    Additional copies of this announcement may be obtained by calling 
1-800-351-2293.

F. Application Consideration and Selection

    Each application will undergo an eligibility and conformance review 
by Federal Child Care Bureau staff. Applications that pass the 
eligibility and conformance review will be evaluated on a competitive 
basis according to the evaluation criteria in Part IV of this program 
announcement. This review will be conducted in Washington, DC by panels 
of Federal and non-Federal experts knowledgeable in the areas of 
literacy, early learning, child care, early childhood education, and 
other relevant program areas.
    Application review panels will assign a score to each application 
and identify its strengths and weaknesses. The Child Care Bureau will 
conduct an administrative review of the applications and results of the 
competitive review panels and make recommendations for funding to the 
Commissioner, ACYF.
    Subject to the recommendation of the Child Care Bureau's Associate 
Commissioner, the Commissioner, ACYF, will make the final selection of 
the applications to be funded. Applications may be funded in whole or 
in part depending on: (1) The ranked order of applicants resulting from 
the competitive review; (2) staff review and consultations; (3) the 
combination of projects that best meets the Bureau's objectives; (4) 
the funds available; (5) the statutory requirement that reserves funds 
for Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Regional Corporations, and Native 
Hawaiian entities; and (6) other relevant considerations. The 
Commissioner may also elect not to fund any applicants with known 
management, fiscal, reporting, program, or other problems, which make 
it unlikely that they would be able to provide effective services.
    Successful applicants will be notified through the issuance of a 
Financial Assistance Award that sets forth the amount of funds granted, 
the terms and conditions of the grant award, the effective date of the 
award, and the budget period for which support is given, and the total 
project period for which support is provided. Organizations whose 
applications will not be funded will be notified in writing by the 
Commissioner, ACYF. Every effort will be made to notify all 
unsuccessful applicants as soon as possible after final decisions are 
made.

Part VI. Submission Instructions

A. Contents of Application

    A complete application consists of the following items in the order 
listed:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, REV 4-
92). Follow the instructions on the back of the form. In Item 5 on the 
SF-424, enter the name of the applicant [Local Council]. Enter the 
Employer Identification Number (EIN) of the Local Council, or if 
applicable, its Fiscal Agent, in Item 6. In Item 8 on the SF-424, check 
``New.'' In Item 10, clearly identify the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance program title and number (i.e., Early Learning Opportunities 
Act, 93.577). A signature on the application constitutes an assurance 
that the applicant will comply with the relevant Departmental 
regulations contained in 45 CFR part 74 or part 92.
    2. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 
424A). Follow the instructions on the back of the form.
    3. Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (Standard Form 424B). A 
duly authorized representative of the applicant organization must 
certify that the applicant is in compliance with these assurances and 
certifications. The applicant must certify its compliance with: (1) 
Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; (2) Debarment and Other 
Responsibilities; (3) Pro-Children Act of 1994 (Certification Regarding 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke). A signature on the SF 424 indicates 
compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Requirements, Debarment and 
Other Responsibilities and Environmental Tobacco Smoke Certifications.
    4. Certification Regarding Lobbying. Applicants must include an 
executed Certification Regarding Lobbying prior to receiving an award 
in excess of $100,000.
    5. A Cover Letter that includes the announcement number and contact 
information for the applicant. The letter must be signed by an 
individual authorized to act for the applicant agency and to assume 
responsibility for the obligations imposed by terms and conditions of 
the grant award.
    6. A signed Letter(s) of Designation for the Local Council from a 
local government entity(ies) that explains its authority to make such a 
designation.
    7. Information on the membership composition of the Local Council.
    8. A Tribal Resolution, if applicable.
    9. A Table of Contents.
    10. A Project Description Summary/Abstract (one page maximum)--
Clearly mark this page with the applicant's name as shown in Item 5 on 
the SF-424, identify the title of the proposed project as shown in Item 
11, and the service area as shown in Item 12 of the SF-424. The Project 
Description Summary/Abstract must not exceed 300 words. The first 
paragraph must describe the precise location of the project and the 
boundaries of the area to be served including the following: The State, 
county(ies), specific locality(ies) (e.g., city, county, borough, 
township, parish, etc.) and/or region(s). Care should be taken to 
produce a Summary/Abstract that accurately and concisely reflects the 
proposed project. It should briefly describe the objectives of the 
project, the approach to be used, and the results and benefits 
expected.
    11. The Project Narrative. The applicant is strongly encouraged to 
use the evaluation criteria in Part IV to organize its response to Part 
III, the Uniform Project Description. Specific information should be 
provided that addresses all components of each criterion. It is in the 
applicant's best interest to ensure that the project description is 
easy to read, logically developed in accordance with the evaluation 
criteria, and adheres to recommended page limitations. In addition, the 
applicant should be mindful of the importance of preparing and 
submitting applications using language, terms, concepts, and 
descriptions that are generally known to the field of early learning as 
defined under this announcement.
    The pages of the project description must be double-spaced, printed 
in black only, printed on only one side, with no less than one-inch 
margins, and numbered. Applicants are strongly encouraged to limit this 
portion of their application to no more than 100 pages.
    12. Appendices. The recommended maximum number of pages for

[[Page 37842]]

supporting documentation is 50 numbered pages. These documents might 
include excerpts from the needs and resources assessment, resumes/job 
descriptions, photocopies of news clippings, documents related to the 
involvement and participation of the Local Council, and evidence of its 
efforts to coordinate early care and education services at the local 
level including letters of support and/or third-party agreements.

B. Submission of Application

    To be considered for funding, the applicant must submit one signed 
original and two copies of the application, including all attachments, 
to the application receipt point specified above. The original copy of 
the application must have original signatures, signed in blue ink. The 
original must be stapled (back and front) in the upper left corner. 
Rubber bands may be used to secure the pages of the two copies. The 
original application and the two copies must be submitted in a single 
package.
    Each application will be duplicated, therefore, please do not use 
or include colored paper, colored ink, separate covers, binders, clips, 
tabs, plastic inserts, over-sized paper, videotapes, or any other items 
that cannot be easily duplicated on a photocopy machine with an 
automatic feed. Do not bind, clip, staple, or fasten in any way 
separate subsections of the application, including the supporting 
documentation. Applicants are advised that a copy (not the original) of 
the application as submitted will be reproduced by the Federal 
government for review by the panel of evaluators.

    Dated: June 19, 2003.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Appendix A.--Sample 1--Letter of Designation of the Local Council by an 
Entity of Local Government

DATE

To Whom It May Concern:
    Under the authority granted by the [Specify Source of Authority 
to Act on behalf of the Entity of Local Government], I/We hereby 
designate the [Insert Name of Local Council] as the eligible Local 
Council for the [Insert the name(s) of localities to be served by 
the Local Council (e.g., city(ies), county(ies), borough(s), etc.)] 
for the purposes of applying for a discretionary grant under the 
Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) program. I/We also authorize 
the [Insert Name of Local Council] to develop and submit an 
application to the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, 
Child Care Bureau in response to the ELOA Program Announcement No. 
ACYF-PA-CCB-2003-01, and to administer the implementation of the 
project if funded.
    As required under the statute governing ELOA, the [Insert Name 
of Local Council] includes: (1) Representatives of local agencies 
that will be directly affected by early learning programs assisted 
under the ELOA and this announcement; (2) parents; (3) other 
individuals concerned with early learning issues in the locality, 
such as representatives of entities providing elementary education, 
child care resource and referral services, early learning 
opportunities, child care, and health services; and (4) other key 
community leaders.
    The [Insert Name of Local Council] was responsible for preparing 
and submitting the enclosed application for the ELOA discretionary 
grant program.
 Sincerely,

    Signed and dated by the authorized entity of local government 
(e.g., mayor, city/county manager, city/county executive, city/
county council, board of supervisors, select board, etc.)

Appendix B.--Sample 2--Letter of Designation of the Local Council and 
identification of the Fiscal Agent by an Entity of Local Government

DATE

    To Whom It May Concern:
    Under the authority granted by the [Specify Source of Authority 
to Act on behalf of the Entity of Local Government], I/We hereby 
designate the [Insert Name of Local Council] as the eligible Local 
Council for the [Insert the name(s) of localities to be served by 
the Local Council (e.g., city(ies), county(ies), borough(s), etc.)] 
for the purposes of the Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) 
discretionary grant program. I/We also authorize the [Insert Name of 
Local Council] to develop and submit an application to the 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Child Care Bureau in 
response to the ELOA Program Announcement No. ACYF-PA-CCB-2003-01, 
and to administer the implementation of the project if funded.
    I/We hereby authorize the [Insert Name of Fiscal Agent] to serve 
as the Fiscal Agent for the [Insert Name of Local Council] and the 
Fiscal Agent's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is: ------ and 
this EIN has been entered in Item 6 on the Application for Federal 
Assistance (SF-424).
    As required under the statute governing ELOA, the [Insert Name 
of Local Council] includes: (1) Representatives of local agencies 
that will be directly affected by early learning programs assisted 
under the ELOA and this announcement; (2) parents; (3) other 
individuals concerned with early learning issues in the locality, 
such as representatives of entities providing elementary education, 
child care resource and referral services, early learning 
opportunities, child care, and health services; and (4) other key 
community leaders.
    The [Insert Name of Local Council] was responsible for preparing 
and submitting the enclosed application for the ELOA discretionary 
grant program.

 Sincerely,

    Signed and dated by the authorized entity of local government 
(e.g., mayor, city/county manager, city/county executive, city/
county council, board of supervisors, select board, etc.)



Appendix C.--Sample Format for Providing Information on the Composition 
of the Local Council

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Members name               Title            Agency        Role
------------------------------------------------------------------------
L.M. Zilka...................  Superintendent.  Emerald City     C
                                                 Public Schools.
Jessica Lawson...............  Director.......  Happy Days       A
                                                 Child Care
                                                 Center.
Tanja Bos....................  Director.......  Child Care       C
                                                 Resource and
                                                 Referral.
Angela Bower.................  Director.......  Head Start.....  B
Monica Parkzes...............  Director.......  County Health    C
                                                 Department.
Marsha Staimer...............  Chair..........  Emerald City     D
                                                 Chamber of
                                                 Commerce.
Peggy Jo Picard..............  Family Child     ...............  C
                                Care Provider.
Sarah Kyrklund...............  Autism           Emerald City     A
                                Consultant.      Public Schools.
Susan Mali...................  Parent of Young  ...............  B
                                Child.
Susan LaCombe................  President......  Emerald County   A
                                                 Community
                                                 College.
Alberta Halvorsen............  VP.............  Emerald City     D
                                                 United Way
                                                 Services.
Frank Chavez.................  County Manager.  Emerald County.  D
Christopher Lawson...........  Parent of Young  ...............  B
                                Child.
Harriet Kelsey...............  Director.......  Emerald County   C
                                                 Social
                                                 Services.
Morena Flores................  Director.......  La Puerta        D
                                                 Fundacion.

[[Page 37843]]

 
T.V. Reid....................  President......  Emerald City     D
                                                 Bank.
Alex Mejia...................  Director.......  Early Childhood  A
                                                 Services, Inc..
Amelia Traversie.............  Program Parent.  Parents and      B
                                                 Teachers.
Ngozi Onunaku................  Director.......  Emerald City     A
                                                 Child Care
                                                 Consortium.
Nick Maynard.................  Director,        Emerald City     A
                                Special          Elementary
                                Education.       School.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legend:
A = Representatives of local agencies that will be directly affected by
  early learning programs assisted under the ELOA and this announcement.
 
B = Parents.
C = Other individuals concerned with early learning issues in the
  locality, such as representatives of entities providing elementary
  education, child care resource and referral services, early learning
  opportunities, child care, and health services.
D = Other key community leaders.

Appendix D.--FY 2001 Early Learning Opportunity Act Grantees and 
Geographic Service Areas

    Twenty-six Early Learning Opportunity Act (ELOA) grants were 
awarded in FY 2001. Listed below is the name of each grantee, the 
title of its project, its geographic service area, and its 
expiration date. These 26 grants were all originally awarded a 17-
month project period (i.e., September 30, 2001-February 28, 2003). 
However, 24 of the 26 grantees have received no cost extensions to 
their project period end dates. The length of the extensions varies 
from grantee to grantee with the shortest extension being two months 
and the longest being 12 months, the maximum allowed. The project 
period for each grantee is specified below. If you have questions, 
you may contact Carol L. Gage, the Federal Project Officer for these 
ELOA grants, at 202-690-6243 or [email protected].

[sbull] Alameda County Children and Families Commission, San 
Leandro, CA 94577

    Hand-in-Hand: The Alameda County Early Learning Partnership.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-June 30, 2003.
    Alameda County is located on the eastside of San Francisco Bay 
and extends from the cities of Berkeley and Albany in the north to 
Fremont in the south. Alameda County is bounded on the north by 
Contra Costa County, on the south by Santa Clara County, on the 
southeast corner by Stanislaus County, on the east by San Joaquin 
County, and on the west by the San Francisco Bay.

[sbull] Bristol Bay Native Association, Dillingham, AK 99576

    Bristol Bay Native Association Early Learning Opportunities 
Program.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-February 28, 2004.
    The Bristol Bay region is located in Southwest Alaska. Its 
regional boundaries under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
extend about 350 miles North to South, and about 230 miles East to 
West. The region consists of 32 communities, 29 of which are 
federally recognized tribes. There are three separate census 
divisions: Bristol Bay Borough Census Area (three communities), the 
Dillingham Census Area (12 communities), and the Lake and Peninsula 
Borough Census Area (17 communities).

[sbull] Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, 
Juneau, AK 99801

    Encircled in a Blanket of Wellness: Children's Early Learning 
Mental Health
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-October 31, 2003.
    This project serves the geographic area known as ``Southeast 
Alaska'' including the three large communities of Juneau, Sitka, and 
Ketchikan, and approximately 20 other communities. Southeast Alaska 
is a 600-mile long island archipelago and coastal strip also 
referred to as the ``panhandle'' of the state. The panhandle 
stretches from the Tsimpshian Native Village of Metlakatla in the 
South, to the Tlingit Native Village of Yakutat in the North.

[sbull] Community Connections, Inc., Bluefield, WV 24701

    Mercer County Early Learning Project.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-February 28, 2004.
    This is a county-wide project. Mercer County is located in the 
most southern part of West Virginia. The largest population base is 
located in the city of Bluefield; the County seat is Princeton.

[sbull] Community Coordinated Child Care, Hillside, NJ 07205

    Union County Early Learning Opportunities Project.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-June 30, 2003.
    Union County is at the center of the New York-New Jersey 
Metropolitan-Region, along the Boston--Washington Corridor. It is 
bounded by Essex County to the north, Morris and Somerset Counties 
to the west, and Middlesex County to the south. The Arthur Kill 
waterway separates the County from Staten Island, New York to the 
east. The County seat is Elizabeth.

[sbull] Durham's Partnership for Children, Durham, NC 27707

    The Literacy and School Readiness Enhancement Pilot Project.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-August 30, 2003.
    This project serves Durham and Orange Counties. These counties 
are contiguous counties that are located in the Research Triangle 
area of central North Carolina.

[sbull] Early Childhood Care and Education Council of Multnomah 
County, Portland, OR 97204

    Multnomah County Components of Early Learning.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-June 30, 2003.
    The service area is Multnomah County, which includes the City of 
Portland.

[sbull] Fairbanks North Star Borough Early Childhood Development 
Commission (FNSB), Fairbanks, AK 99707

    For all Families, A Community Model: Providing Early Childhood 
Education for Families and Communities and Promoting Excellence in 
Child Care in the FNSB.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-October 31, 2003.
    The Borough is located in the central eastern half of Alaska and 
includes Fairbanks, Alaska and many surrounding small communities 
and rural areas covering 7,361 square miles.

[sbull] Family Central, Inc. on Behalf of Broward School Readiness 
Coalition, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

    Broward Investment in Quality Care for Kids (BrIQCK).
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-June 30, 2003.
    Broward County is bounded by Miami-Dade County on the south, the 
Everglades and Collier County on the West, Palm Beach County on the 
north, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Major cities include Fort 
Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach.

[sbull] Foundation for Early Learning, Seattle, WA 98115

    Strengthening Early Learning Opportunities in King County 
Communities.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-May 30, 2003.
    This is a county-wide project serving King County including the 
City of Seattle.

[sbull] Gritman Medical Center on Behalf of the Early Childhood 
Service Council, Moscow, ID 83843

    Early Learning Collaborative Project In A Rural Region of 
Northern Idaho.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-September 29, 2003.
    This is a county-wide project in Latah County, which is located 
in North Central Idaho.

[[Page 37844]]

[sbull] Lenawee Intermediate School District, Adrian, MI 49221

    Lenawee's Child (Helping to Increase Learning and Development).
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-February 28, 2003.
    Lenawee County is located in South Central Michigan along the 
Ohio border.

[sbull] Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), Kansas City, MO 64105

    Early Childhood Excellence Project.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-June 30, 2003.
    MARC serves as the association of city and county governments 
and the metropolitan planning organization for the bi-state Kansas 
City region. MARC serves an eight county area that includes Cass, 
Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Ray Counties in Missouri and Johnson, 
Leavenworth, and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas.

[sbull] Mid Coast Access to Child Care, Nobleboro, ME 04555

    Enhancing Quality of Early Care.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-February 28, 2003.
    The boundaries of the service area include the Counties of 
Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc County. It also includes the 
communities of Brunswick and Harpswell located within the 
northernmost part of Cumberland County.

[sbull] Mono County Office of Education on Behalf of the Mono 
County Child Care Council, Mono, CA 93546

    Eastern Sierra Early Learning Collaborative.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-December 31, 2003.
    The service area includes Alpine and Mono Counties in the 
eastern part of California.

[sbull] Napa County Office of Education on Behalf of the Napa 
County Child Care Planning Council, Napa, CA 97558

    The E.A.R.L.Y. Project: Enhancing Accessibility and Readiness 
for Learning by Young Children.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-June 30, 2003.
    Napa County is located in the Northern San Francisco Bay area, 
southwest of Sacramento, north of Oakland/Berkeley, and northeast of 
San Francisco.

[sbull] New Haven Public Schools, New Haven, CT 06519

    New Haven Early Learning Opportunities Program.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-February 28, 2004.
    The geographic location of the targeted service area is the City 
of New Haven. New Haven consists of 20 different neighborhoods and a 
federally-designated Empowerment Zone.

[sbull] People's Regional Opportunity Program, Portland, ME 04101

    Cumberland County ACCESS/CITE Partnership for Child Care.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-June 30, 2003.
    The geographic area covered by this partnership is the cities 
and towns in Cumberland County with the exception of Brunswick, 
Harpswell, and South Harpswell.

[sbull] San Bernardino County Human Services System, San 
Bernardino, CA 92415

    San Bernardino Early Learning Opportunities Project.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-February 28, 2004.
    This is a county-wide project in San Bernardino County, which is 
located in the center of Southern California. It is bounded by the 
States of Arizona and Nevada, and the Counties of Riverside, Los 
Angeles, Inyo, and Orange.

[sbull] San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools on Behalf of the 
San Mateo County Child Care Partnership Council, Redwood City, CA 
94065

    San Mateo County Early Learning Project.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-April 30, 2003.
    San Mateo County is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, 
the San Francisco Bay to the east, San Francisco to the north, and 
the City of San Jose and the County of Santa Clara to the south. It 
includes the cities of Redwood City, San Mateo, Daly City, East Palo 
Alto, Menlo Park, and South San Francisco.

[sbull] Southern Iowa Economic Development Association on Behalf of 
the Mahaska-Wapello Empowerment Area, Ottumwa, IA 52501

    Parents As Teachers Expansion Program.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-June 30, 2003.
    The Mahaska-Wapello Empowerment Area includes the six Counties 
of Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, and Wapello. These 
Counties are located in the lower three tiers of Southern Iowa.

[sbull] United Way of Greater Tucson, Tucson, AZ 85754

    First Focus on Kids: Coordinating Early Learning Opportunities 
for Children and Their Families.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-August 31, 2003.
    This project serves the following zip codes in and around the 
City of Tucson: 85705-06, 85710, 85711-13, 85716, 85719, 85730, and 
85745-46.

[sbull] United Way of New York City, New York, NY 10016

    New York City Early Learning Project.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-October 31, 2003.
    This project serves the five Boroughs of New York City including 
Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.

[sbull] United Way Services, Richmond, VA 23241

    Greater Richmond Early Development Coalition.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-August 31, 2003.
    The geographic area served by this Coalition includes the City 
of Richmond, and the Counties of Chesterfield and Henrico.

[sbull] United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 
19103

    Children Ready: Invest in Success.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-February 28, 2004.
    The project boundary is the City of Philadelphia.

[sbull] Youth Health Service, Inc., Elkins, WV 26241

    Quality Care: Improving the Quality of Early Learning Services 
in Two Impoverished Rural Counties.
    Project Period: September 30, 2002-August 31, 2003.
    The target communities of this project are in Barbour and 
Randolph Counties in the north and west central parts of West 
Virginia.

Appendix E.--FY 2002 Early Learning Opportunity Act Grantees and 
Geographic Service Areas

    Thirty-one Early Learning Opportunity Act (ELOA) grants were 
awarded in FY 2002. Listed below is the name of each grantee, the 
title of its project, and its geographic service area. The 17-month 
project period for these grants is September 30, 2002-February 28, 
2004. The Federal Project Officer for these ELOA grants is Carol L. 
Gage, who can be reached at 202-690-6243 or [email protected].

[sbull] Beaufort County Council on behalf of the Beaufort County 
Early Childhood Coalition, Beaufort, SC 29901

    Beaufort County Early Childhood Coalition.
    This is a county-wide project in Beaufort County.

[sbull] Broome Community College on behalf of the Broome County 
Early Childhood Coalition, Binghampton, NY 13902

    Building Brighter Futures For Broome.
    This is a county-wide project in Broome County.

[sbull] Cambridge Public Schools on behalf of Cambridge 0-8 
Council, Cambridge, MA 02141

    Accelerating Language and Literacy for Children, Families, and 
Providers.
    The project boundary is the city of Cambridge.

[sbull] Communities in Schools of Caldwell County Inc., Lenoir, NC 
28645

    Early Learning Opportunities Movement.
    This project serves Caldwell County, a rural county of 450 
square miles located in the foothills of Appalachia in northwestern 
North Carolina. Lenoir is the County's largest town and county seat.

[sbull] DC Department of Human Services, Washington, DC 20032

    DC Early Learning Opportunities Program.
    The District of Columbia is 53 square miles in area and is 
divided into eight political subdivisions or wards. This project 
will serve Wards 1, 7, and 8.

[[Page 37845]]

[sbull] Easter Seals New Hampshire on behalf of the Early Learning 
Lasts a Lifetime Local Council of Southeastern New Hampshire, 
Manchester, NH 03103

    Links to Early Learning.
    This project serves all of Rockingham and Strafford Counties in 
southeastern New Hampshire (the Seacoast region), which is bordered 
by Maine to the east, Massachusetts to the south and Merrimack and 
Hillsborough Counties of New Hampshire to the north and west, 
respectively.

[sbull] Economic Development and Industrial Corporation on behalf 
of the 0-8 Coalition, Boston, MA 02114

    Boston Learns: An Early Literacy Collaborative for Children, 
Families, and Educators.
    This is a city-wide project serving the city of Boston including 
Mattapan, Roslindale and Hyde Park, three of Boston's neighborhoods.

[sbull] Educational Service District 112 on behalf of the Support 
Early Learning and Families Local Council, Vancouver, WA 98661

    Every Moment Counts: Achieving School Readiness in Clark County.
    This project serves Clark County, located in southwestern 
Washington. It is across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon.

[sbull] El Paso Community College on behalf of the Strong Families, 
Strong Future Council, El Paso, TX 79998

    Using a Promotor de Salud to Promote Early Learning in At-Risk 
Populations along the US-Mexico Border.
    El Paso County is located in the far west corner of Texas, and 
is bordered by Mexico to the south, Hudspeth County, TX to the east, 
and the New Mexico state line to the north and west.

[sbull] Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax, VA 22035

    Fairfax Collaborative.
    The geographic area served is Fairfax County including the 
cities of Falls Church and Fairfax.

[sbull] Family Connection Partnership, Atlanta, GA 30303

    South Georgia EXCEL (Excellence in Childcare and Learning).
    This project serves the counties of Coffee, Crisp, Mitchell, and 
Turner.

[sbull] Franklin Northwest Supervisory Union on behalf of the 
Franklin County Early Childhood Advisory Council, Swanton, VT 05488

    Franklin County Early Learning Opportunities Project.
    This is a county-wide project in Franklin County, which is in 
the northwestern corner of Vermont, bordered by Canada, Lake 
Champlain, and the Green Mountains.

[sbull] Good Beginnings Alliance, Honolulu, HI 96813

    Expanding Oahu's Early Learning Opportunities.
    The island of Oahu is the geographic area to be covered by this 
project, with special attention focused on the communities of 
Waianae, Waimanalo, and Kalihi.

[sbull] Hampton Roads Partnership, Norfolk, VA 23510

    Square One School Readiness Initiative.
    This project will serve the area known as Hampton Roads a region 
including 17 localities in the southeastern corner of the 
Commonwealth of Virginia. Hampton Roads localities are the cities of 
Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, 
Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg 
and the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, 
Southampton, Surry, and York.

[sbull] Health Improvement Partnership of Spokane County on behalf 
of the Spokane Regional Child Care Initiative, Spokane, WA 99201

    Strengthening Early Learning in Spokane County.
    This is a county-wide project in Spokane County.

[sbull] Heart of West Michigan United Way on behalf of the Kent 
County Family and Children's Coordinating Council, Grand Rapids, MI 
49503

    Connections For Children.
    This is a county-wide project in Kent County located in West 
Michigan.

[sbull] Huntington West Virginia Housing Authority on behalf of the 
Cabell-Wayne Early Childhood Council, Huntington, WV 25701

    ERASE (Education, Rurality, Accessibility, Service, and 
Economic) Barriers Project.
    This project serves the communities in both Cabell and Wayne 
County.

[sbull] Lancaster County First Steps, Lancaster, SC 29720

    Lancaster County First Steps.
    This is a county-wide project in Lancaster County.

[sbull] Lowell Public Schools District on behalf of Lowell 
Community Partnership for Children, Lowell, MA 01852

    Lowell Community Partnerships for Children Early Learning 
Opportunities Initiative.
    This project serves the city of Lowell (Middlesex County).

[sbull] Mayor's Literacy Task Force, Chandler, AZ 85225

    Chandler Steps to Learning Project: A Community-based Early 
Learning and Parent Assistance Program.
    This project will serve the city of Chandler located in Maricopa 
County.

[sbull] Miami-Dade School Readiness Coalition, Miami, FL 33129

    Early Authors Program.
    This is a county-wide project serving Miami-Dade County, which 
is located in southeastern, Florida, bounded by the Atlantic Ocean 
to the east, Broward County to the north, and Monroe County to the 
south and west. The extreme northwest corner of Miami-Dade County is 
bounded by Collier County.

[sbull] Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, Minneapolis, MN 55415

    Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board Readiness Initiative.
    This project boundary is the city of Minneapolis.

[sbull] Osage Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Pawhuska, OK 74056

    Osage Nation Early Learning Center.
    This project will serve Osage County in Northeastern Oklahoma, 
which is also known as the Osage Indian Tribal Reservation.

[sbull] South Plains Community Action Association, Inc. on behalf 
of South Plains Early Childhood Council, Levelland, TX 79336.

    On the Road with Literacy.
    The geographic area served includes the following 15 counties in 
the South Plains area of west Texas: Bailey, Cochran, Crosby, 
Dickens, Garza, Hale, Hockley, Lamb, Floyd, Lynn, Lubbock, Terry, 
King, Motely, and Yoakum.

[sbull] The Clayton Foundation, Denver, CO 80205

    Early Learning Opportunities Project.
    The project will serve the city and county of Denver.

[sbull] The Providence Plan on behalf of the Ready to Learn 
Providence Local Council, Providence, RI 02903

    Ready to Learn Providence
    This project will serve the city of Providence.

[sbull] Town of Manchester on behalf of the Manchester School 
Readiness Council, Manchester, CT 06040

    Manchester Early Learning Opportunities Project.
    This project serves the Town of Manchester in Hartford County. 
Manchester is located in the north central region of Connecticut, 
and is nine miles east of the capital city of Hartford, and 
approximately 95 miles from Boston, Massachusetts.

[sbull] United Way of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County, Inc., 
Harrisonburg, VA 22803

    The Reading Road Show Early Literacy Initiative.
    The areas to be served by this project are Rockingham County and 
the City of Harrisonburg, which are centrally located in the 
Shenandoah Valley in west-central Virginia. The county is bounded on 
the west by the Allegheny Mountains and on the east by the crest of 
the Blue Ridge Mountains.

[sbull] United Way of Southeastern Idaho, Pocatello, ID 83204

    Bannock County Ready to Learn Project.
    This is a county-wide project in Bannock County located in 
southeast Idaho.

[sbull] Webster County Board of Education on behalf of the Early 
Care and Education Consortium, Webster Springs, WV 26288

    More by Four--Ready by Five.
    This is a county-wide project in Webster County, which is 
located in the central part of the state.

[[Page 37846]]

[sbull] Western Maine Centers for Children on behalf of Western 
Maine Access, Wilton, ME 04294

    Western Maine ACCESS Early Learning Opportunity Grant.
    The geographic area served by this project is Androscoggin, 
Franklin, and Oxford Counties.

[FR Doc. 03-16099 Filed 6-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P