REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 24, 2026
FROM
ARLENE MOLINA, Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Application to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families for the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Programs
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve and authorize the submission of a combined grant application to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, in the amount of $66,032,669, to continue funding for the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Programs, for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
2. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of the Preschool Services Department to execute any required subsequent non-substantive amendments to the combined grant application, supporting materials, as well as all other ancillary documents in relation to the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Programs grant, on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Preschool Services Department to transmit any non-substantive amendments in relation to the combined grant application for the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Programs to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: Arlene Molina, Director, 383-2078)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The application amount of $66,032,669 to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for the Head Start (HS), Early Head Start (EHS), and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Programs requires a 20% non-federal match of the total program cost, which equates to 25% of the grant amount requested, totaling $16,508,167. The Preschool Services Department (PSD) will meet the non-federal match requirement through non-federal share donations of goods, services, volunteerism, and reduced rates for goods and services. Adequate appropriation and revenue will be included in the 2026-27 recommended budget.
|
Program |
Grant Requested |
25% of Request |
Total Program Cost |
|
HS Operations |
$42,305,574 |
$10,576,394 |
$52,881,968 |
|
EHS/EHS-CCP Operations |
$22,973,156 |
$5,743,289 |
$28,716,445 |
|
HS Training/Technical Assistance |
$479,926 |
$119,981 |
$599,907 |
|
EHS/EHS-CCP Training/Technical Assistance |
$274,013 |
$68,503 |
$342,516 |
|
HS Subtotal |
$42,785,500 |
10,696,375 |
53,481,875 |
|
EHS/EHS-CCP Subtotal |
$23,247,169 |
5,811,792 |
29,058,961 |
|
Total |
$66,032,669 |
$16,508,167 |
$82,540,836 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PSD operates the federally funded HS, EHS, and EHS-CCP programs in locations throughout the County. Since 1999, PSD has operated these programs through a combination of direct and contracted services. The programs provide education, health, cognitive, social/emotional, physical growth and development, and parental involvement services for children ages zero to five years with the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in economically disadvantaged families.
PSD must submit an annual grant application renewal to ACF for continued participation in the HS, EHS, and EHS-CCP programs. PSD will use the grant funds to continue providing comprehensive, developmental, and preschool educational services to HS-eligible children, EHS/EHS-CCP eligible infants, toddlers, and their families through direct services and/or through collaborative partnerships with agencies Countywide. The grant application is due to ACF by April 1, 2026. Upon receipt of the grant award notification, PSD will return to the Board of Supervisors for acceptance of funding and approval of the award agreements.
The application request includes:
• HS funding in the amount of $42,785,500, which includes $42,305,574 for program operations and $479,926 for Training and Technical Assistance. The $42,305,574 for operations will:
o Serve approximately 1,456 eligible children
o Cost an estimated amount of $29,056 per child per year
• EHS/EHS-CCP funding in the amount of $23,247,169, which includes $22,973,156 for program operations and $274,013 for Training and Technical Assistance. The $22,973,156 for operations will:
o Serve approximately 583 eligible children
o Cost an estimated amount of $39,405 per child per year.
ACF may also request additional ancillary documentation to facilitate review of the grant application, including, but not limited to, supplemental federal forms, certifications, assurances, and other administrative documents. Accordingly, Recommendation No. 2 seeks authorization for the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Chief Executive Officer, or Director of Preschool Services Department to execute ancillary documents and forms required to support and complete the grant application process.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 2, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Allegra Pajot, Administrative Analyst, 388-0218) on March 5, 2026.