REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
August 4, 2026
FROM
ARLENE MOLINA, Director, Preschool Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Grant Award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Programs
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Accept combined grant award Agreement (Award No. 09CH013239-02-00) from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families for continued support of the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership programs, in the amount of $66,447,189, 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 accept and execute any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the grant award Agreement for the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership programs on behalf of the County, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Director of the Preschool Services Department to transmit any subsequent non-substantive amendments to the grant award Agreement 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, 945-6478)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The total grant of $83,058,987 includes $66,447,189 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to support the continued operation of the Head Start (HS), Early Head Start (EHS), and Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) programs. The grant requires a 20% non-federal share match of the total program cost from the County, which equates to 25% of the grant award. The Preschool Services Department (PSD) will meet this obligation through allowable in-kind contributions such as donated goods and services, volunteer hours, and discounted rates. Adequate appropriation and revenue have been included in the PSD 2026-27 budget. Below are the breakdowns of this award.
|
Program |
Award |
Match |
Total |
|
HS |
$43,054,140 |
$10,763,535 |
$53,817,675 |
|
EHS/EHS-CCP |
$23,393,049 |
$5,848,263 |
$29,241,312 |
|
Total |
$66,447,189 |
$16,611,798 |
$83,058,987 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
PSD operates the HS, EHS, and EHS-CCP programs serving 2,039 children through direct and indirect services in locations throughout San Bernardino County (County). The programs provide education, health, nutrition, cognitive, social/emotional, physical growth and development, and parent involvement services from pregnancy to children from birth to five years with the overall goal of increasing family engagement and school readiness of young children in economically disadvantaged families. Head Start and State Preschool programs have been operating in the County since 1965.
This grant award includes the following:
• HS funding of $43,054,140 consisting of $42,574,214 for basic program operations and $479,926 for Training and Technical Assistance. The $43,054,140 for HS program operations will serve approximately 1,456 eligible children, at an estimated annual cost of $29,570 per child.
• EHS/EHS-CCP funding of $23,393,049, which includes $23,119,036 for basic program operations and $274,013 for Training and Technical Assistance. The $23,393,049 for EHS program operations will serve approximately 583 eligible EHS infants, toddlers, and pregnant women, at an estimated annual cost of $40,125 per person.
On March 24, 2026 (Item No. 30), the Board of Supervisors approved submission of a grant application to ACF requesting $66,032,669 to continue the support of HS, EHS, and EHS-CCP programs for the grant period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
On May 26, 2026, the ACF awarded $66,447,189, which included a Cost -of-Living Adjustment of 0.635 percent ($414,520) through funds authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (Public Law 119-75).
This item is being presented to the Board at this time, as this is the first date available following required operational, fiscal, and legal reviews. Approval will have no impact on PSD HS, EHS, and EHS-CCP programs’ services and activities.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Adam Ebright, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 29, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Allegra Pajot, Administrative Analyst, 388-0218) on July 20, 2026.