[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 7751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3604]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Administration on Children, Youth and Families; Notice ACYF/HS-
2003-01A

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

ACTION: Request for public comments and statements of interest on the 
proposed merger of Head Start Grantees in Rhode Island.

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SUMMARY: This is a correction of the original notice, published on 
December 31, 2003, of the intent to notify interested parties of the 
merger of two Head Start programs in Rhode Island.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 5, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Perthius, (202) 260-1721.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Self Help, Inc., and New Visions for Newport 
County, Inc., both in Rhode Island, 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. New Visions for Newport County, Inc., operating under the 
new name of East Bay Community Action Program, would provide Head Start 
services for the community it now serves, as well as the community now 
served by Self Help, Inc.
    Mergers of local Head Start grantees usually require ACF to offer 
an open competition in the specified service area of the grantee 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.
    New Visions for Newport County, Inc., also receives funding to 
conduct an Early Head Start program which, except for the name change 
to East Bay Community Action Program, is not a part of a proposed 
merger. New Visions for Newport County, Inc., renamed East Bay 
Community Action Program, will continue to provide Early Head Start 
services in the community.
    The original notice notifying interested parties of the proposed 
merger of two Rhode Island Head Start programs was published in the 
Federal Register on December 31, 2003. That notice included the 
incorrect statement that Self Help, Inc., is an Early Head Start 
grantee. This notice is being published to correct that statement. New 
Visions for Newport County is the Early Head Start grantee in the 
community and has previously contracted-out operation of a portion of 
the program to Self-Help, Inc. The proposed merger will not affect New 
Visions' funding under the Early Head Start program.
    Please mail or fax your statements of support or objection to this 
proposed merger and grant transfer, as well as any request for 
consideration by March 5, 2004, to Michelle Hastings; Pal-Tech, Inc.; 
1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000; Arlington, VA 22209; 1-800-458-7699; 
703-243-0496 (fax).

    Dated: February 12, 2004.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration for Children, Youth, and Families.
[FR Doc. 04-3604 Filed 2-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M