The funding opportunity HHS-2025-ACF-OHS-HC-0166 focuses on establishing and operating the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (NC PFCE). The grant is offered by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It aims to advance family engagement and community partnership outcomes to support children and families participating in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

The NC PFCE will deliver research-informed training and technical assistance aligned with current evidence and best practices. The goal is to improve professional development for staff in Head Start programs, thereby fostering enhanced family engagement in children’s learning and development. The initiative will focus on strengthening family outreach, recruitment, and retention, improving access to services that ensure family safety, health, and economic mobility, enhancing family involvement in children’s educational and developmental journeys, and expanding the quality of partnerships with community organizations to support overall program and family outcomes.

The total program funding is $6,400,000, with one award anticipated. The funding will be provided as a cooperative agreement, and the award ceiling and floor are both set at $6,400,000. The project is forecasted to start on September 30, 2025.

Eligible applicants include independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, special district governments, Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations. Faith-based and community organizations are also eligible, provided they meet the outlined requirements. Applications from individuals and foreign entities will not be considered.

Applicants may apply individually or as part of a consortium, where a lead applicant must perform a substantive role and will not merely serve as a conduit for funds. A consortium requires a formal agreement or memorandum of understanding, and the relationship between the lead and collaborating organizations will be considered a sub-award.

The NC PFCE will work alongside three other national centers as part of a broader national and regional Office of Head Start training and technical assistance system. It will be expected to collaborate with subrecipients specializing in early childhood family engagement, social work, mental health, parenting, family leadership, and other related areas to achieve its objectives. These efforts will focus on strengthening outcomes in family well-being, child learning and development, and community engagement. Applications are due by June 2, 2025, and the estimated award date is August 15, 2025.