Subject: Head Start Non-Competitive Baseline Grant Application For FY 26-27 From: Human Services Department Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution (1) Authorizing The City Administrator To Submit A Head Start Non-Competitive Baseline Grant Application For Fiscal Years (FY) 2026-2031; And (2) Authorizing The City Administrator To Accept And Appropriate Head Start Basic And Training And Technical Assistance, Early Head Start Basic And Training And Technical Assistance Grants For FY 2026-27 From The Us Department Of Health And Human Services, Administration For Children And Families, Office Of Head Start (DHHS/ACF), In An Estimated Amount Of Thirteen Million Seven Hundred Ninety-Seven Thousand And Fifty-Seven Dollars ($13,797,057), And Committing The Necessary Local Match Funds And Central Services Offset; And (3) Awarding Grant Agreements To Fund Comprehensive Early Care, Education And Family Services To Community Service Providers Bananas Incorporated And Brighter Beginnings For FY 2026-2027 For A Total Amount Not To Exceed Two Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,600,000); And (4) Authorizing The City Administrator To Accept And Appropriate Additional Federal Head Start/Early Head Start Funds If They Become Available Within FY 2026-2027 And Amend The Grant Agreements Within The Limits Of The Federal Award

The City Council is considering adopting a resolution to authorize the City Administrator to submit a Head Start Non-Competitive Baseline Grant Application for Fiscal Years 2026-2031. This application seeks an estimated $13,797,057 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for FY 2026-2027 to fund Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These programs serve approximately 449 pregnant individuals, children aged 0-5, and their families with limited economic resources, providing comprehensive early childhood development services.

The resolution also authorizes the acceptance and appropriation of these federal funds, along with committing the necessary local match funds. Additionally, it proposes awarding grant agreements totaling up to $2,600,000 to community service providers Bananas Incorporated and Brighter Beginnings for FY 2026-2027 to fund comprehensive early care, education, and family services. The City is committed to providing a local match of at least 20% of the total program costs, amounting to approximately $7,607,859 from the General Purpose Fund.

This action is time-sensitive, with the grant application deadline on April 1, 2026. The Head Start program has a long history in Oakland, dating back to 1971, and has undergone significant improvements in recent federal reviews, leading to its eligibility for this new five-year grant cycle.