[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 75571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32151]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[ACYF/HS-2003-01]


Request for Public Comments on the Proposed Merger of Two Head 
Start Grantees in Rhode Island

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

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to solicit public comments and statements of 
interest from interested parties on the merger of two Rhode Island Head 
Start Programs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 30, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Hastings; Pal-Tech, Inc.; 
1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000; Arlington, VA 22209; 1-800-458-7699; 
703-243-0496 (fax)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Self Help, Inc., and New Visions for Newport 
County, Inc. are proposing to merge their federally funded Head Start 
programs. This proposed merger is expected to bring about a more cost 
effective and efficient service delivery to children and their 
families. The Head Start Bureau of the Administration for Children and 
Families (ACF), within the United States Department of Health And Human 
Services has this proposal under consideration and is currently 
evaluating its effect on Head Start Services for children and families 
in the community. Under the proposed merger, Self Help, Inc., would be 
absorbed by New Visions for Newport County, Inc., and New Visions for 
Newport County, Inc. would provide Head Start services for the 
community it now serves as well as the community new served by Self 
Help, Ins.
    Mergers of local Head Start grantees usually require the ACF to 
offer an open competition in the specified service area whose grantee 
is being absorbed. While this request for a merger, without a 
competitive review process, is under consideration, public comments are 
being solicited. Additionally, this notice also serves to encourage and 
welcome statements of interest from any local public agency, local 
public school system, local non-profit agency or local for-profit 
organization, or local faith-based organization that would want to 
compete for funding to provide Head Start services in the area now 
served by Self Help, Inc.
    Self Help, Inc., also receives funding to conduct an Early Head 
Start program. As part of a proposed merger, Self Help, Inc., is 
proposing that the Early Head Start grant it conducts be transferred to 
New Visions for Newport County, Inc. after the merger. When an Early 
Head Start grantee merges with another organization, the grant must 
usually be recompeted, but consideration is being given to transferring 
the Early Head Start grant to New Visions for Newport County, Inc. 
While this request for a transfer, without a recompetition, is under 
consideration, public comments are being solicited. Additionally, this 
notice also serves to encourage and welcome statements of interest from 
any public agency, public school system, non-profit agency, for-profit 
organization, or faith-based organization that would want to compete 
for funding to provide Early Head Start services in the area now served 
by Self Help, Inc.
    Please mail or fax statements of support or objection to this 
proposed merger and grant transfer as well as any request for 
consideration by January 30, 2004 to: Michelle Hastings; Pal-Tech, 
Inc.; 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000; Arlington, VA 22209; 1-800-458-
7699; 703-243-0496 (fax).

    Dated: December 22, 2003.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
[FR Doc. 03-32151 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M