To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: OHS Supplemental Grant Application
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
RATIFY the grant application submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start, and APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, to accept funding in an amount not to exceed $428,550, and to execute a grant award agreement, including any amendments or extensions thereof, to support Head Start families with healthy eating for the period of September 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Federal funding all of which will be budgeted in FY25/26.
BACKGROUND:
The Office of Head Start (OHS) opened a one-time supplemental funding opportunity on July 29, 2025 with a priority deadline of August 22, 2025 (ACF-OHS-PI-25-02). Staff shared this opportunity during the August 12, 2025 Board of Supervisors monthly Head Start update (D.4). Staff submitted an application by the August 22, 2025 deadline with the intention to get formal Board approval prior to the award being issued per guidance from OHS.
OHS intends for this funding to help programs comply with ACF-OHS-IM-25-03 which calls for Head Start grantees to improve or expand their nutrition services and support for healthy eating. The proposed application includes funds for improving centers, such as upgrading appliances; securing equipment for food service, bottle-feeding, and gardening; providing healthy food at site events; and participating in a Nutrition Train-the-Trainer program. The application also includes funds for purchasing supplies to provide families, such as newborn baby kits, healthy eating kits, and creating a food pantry at the centers.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will not receive supplemental funding to provide Head Start families with additional supports for nutrition and healthy eating.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The services provided under this contract support all five of Contra Costa County's community outcomes: (1)"Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (3) "Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families".