Best Head Start Grants in Iowa

Overview and General Information

In 1988, the Iowa Legislature established Iowa Code 256A creating the Child Development Coordinating Council (CDCC) and funding the Shared Visions Preschool Programs. The mission of the CDCC is to advocate for Iowa’s children and families and support comprehensive programs for children meeting risk factors and their families. The CDCC advises the Iowa Department of Education (Department) regarding the administration and implementation of state funded at-risk programs for children ages birth to five. The Department administers the Shared Visions Preschool Program which provides comprehensive quality preschool program experiences for children meeting identified risk factors who are ages three to five years. 

The Department is issuing a competitive application to fund Shared Visions Preschool Programs. The purpose is to solicit applications that will enable the CDCC to select grantees who will provide a Shared Visions Preschool Program created in accordance with Iowa Code section 256A, Iowa Code section 279.51, and the rules in 281—Iowa Administrative Code 64.

Shared Visions Programs

Iowa’s Shared Visions Programs are state-funded early childhood initiatives that support the healthy development and early learning success of young children across the state. Through high-quality preschool and parent support services, these programs help build strong foundations for learning, strengthen families and ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Together, these programs represent a vital investment in the future of Iowa’s youngest learners.

Iowa Early Head Start State Grant 

Purpose

Renewal of existing Iowa Early Head Start (EHS) State funding opportunity.

Grant Purpose:

The purpose of the Iowa EHS State Grant is to increase the capacity of providers of Infant/Toddler services to successfully maintain adherence to requirements of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) through collaborative partnerships within Early Head Start programs. The focus of this grant serves to increase collaboration through birth-five partnerships as an infrastructure underpinning to leverage federal funding opportunities specific to EHS grants.

Impact: 

• Increase and influence success of partnership and collaboration between Child Care and Head Start; 
• Expand the number of children, families, staff, administration and systems Iowa EHS State allocation funds influence; 
• Increase efforts in focus areas of coaching and mentoring to increase staff education, instructional practices, family support, business practices and infrastructure through systems work and collaboration with EHS.