First Steps 4K Incentive Grants to Expand Services in Underserved Communities - Round Two
For the current fiscal year, the Office of First Steps may expend up to $250,000 to provide one-time supplemental, needs-based incentive grants in an amount not to exceed $30,000 for newly created and/or newly approved private providers proposing to expand service to ten or more CERDEP eligible children in communities unable to enroll all eligible students in a public, private, or Head Start setting during the prior fiscal year. These grants are designed to address building renovations, documented as necessary to bring proposed classrooms into compliance with licensing or accreditation regulations, materials and staffing costs, and/or other obstacles currently preventing their participation in the program.
First Steps 4K granted $197,070 from this fund during Round One of this grant opportunity. We currently have $52,930 left to be awarded in this fiscal year. Grants may be a maximum of $30,000 or less.
Eligible applicants include center-based child care providers as well as churches, community centers, non-profit organizations, private and charter schools, colleges and universities, hospital systems, and others. For this round of funding, First Steps 4K intends to make at least one award to an organization that is a member of the SC Independent Schools Association. Public schools and school districts are not eligible for this First Steps 4K funding.
Award selection criteria include:
1. Located within a priority area for 4K expansion
2. Quality of the application
3. Geographic distribution of awards
Those interested in this funding opportunity should email Martha Strickland, SC First Steps 4K State Director to request a virtual TEAMS appointment to discuss their proposed project. Their 4K Coach and 4K Manager will be invited to the TEAMS meeting as well. Prior to the application deadline, applicants may also submit drafts of their application responses via email for the First Steps 4K team to review and provide feedback.
EligibilityEligible applicants include center-based child care providers as well as churches, community centers, non-profit organizations, private and charter schools, colleges and universities, hospital systems, and others.
Deadline03/15/2024
Focus AreaFirst Steps 4K
