Early Childhood Education Community Innovations Zone Grant

Posted by U.S. Department on June 30, 2014

OCDEL releases ECE grant

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Early Childhood Education Community Innovations Zone Grant Request for Applications.

In phase I, OCDEL will award ten grants of up to $75,000 a year for three years. The purpose of the Phase I grants, which are funded through the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant, is to recognize, celebrate, learn from, and enhance innovative programs, activities, and strategies involving community-based efforts to enhance the learning outcomes of young children and reduce the student achievement gap by grade 3.

For purposes of this grant, community-based is considered to be schools, early childhood and development programs, and local entities interested in supporting children’s school success.

Grants will be awarded to eligible community organizations that implement effective practices, take an innovative approach, and foster a culture focused on enhancing child outcomes within one or more of the following response categories:
— Response Category 1: Develop stronger relationships between early childhood programs and school districts to build birth-3rd grade alignment.
— Response Category 2: Increase family supports and engagement.
— Response Category 3: Strengthen the network and coordination of community organizations that serve children and families with young children.

A webinar on the application process was held on June 23rd and will be posted to the  PA Keys site no later than Friday, June 27th.

The complete Request for Application can be accessed here.

http://www.pakeys.org/pages/get.aspx?page=CIZ