On May 8th, the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services provided some guidance to states on the 2009 Early Head Start Expansion funding increases included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. You can read the full announcement here. A total of $619 million dollars is available and grants will be awarded to approximately 600 organizations on a competitive basis. Eligible applicants include (see announcement for a complete listing): State, county, local, or city governments; non-profits; for-profit organizations; small businesses; and tribal governments and organizations. Funds are available for programs that plan to provide child/family services to low-income pregnant women, infants and toddlers, and their families that are not currently served by Head Start or Early Head Start.

Application guidelines can be found under the full announcement from the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. Complete applications are due July 9th, 2009.