Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Head Start State Collaboration Office Grant Application

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is proposing a new information collection activity for the Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSCO) Grant Application. HSCO grants are authorized under the Head Start Act and support coordination between Head Start agencies and state systems serving young children and families. OHS has developed new application instructions to align HSCO grant activities with states and federal priorities, including improving outcomes in child welfare, strengthening family formation, supporting effective service delivery, and enhancing early childhood education. This proposed information collection is necessary to support consistent implementation of program objectives and alignment across all states.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 167 (Monday, August 31, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 167 (Monday, August 31, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55855-55856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17745]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Head Start 
State Collaboration Office Grant Application

AGENCY: Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, 
Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children 
and Families (ACF) is proposing a new information collection activity 
for the Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSCO) Grant Application. 
HSCO grants are authorized under the Head Start Act and support 
coordination between Head Start agencies and state systems serving 
young children and families. OHS has developed new application 
instructions to align HSCO grant activities with states and federal 
priorities, including improving outcomes in child welfare, 
strengthening family formation, supporting effective service delivery, 
and enhancing early childhood education. This proposed information 
collection is necessary to support consistent implementation of program 
objectives and alignment across all states.

DATES: Comments due September 30, 2026.

ADDRESSES: The public may view and comment on this information 
collection request at: <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202608-0970-009">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202608-0970-009</a>. You can also obtain copies of the 
proposed collection of information by emailing 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e881868e878b8784848d8b9c818786a8898b8ec680809bc68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a53545c55595556565f594e5355547a5b595c14525249145d554c">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Identify all emailed requests by the title 
of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Description: OHS proposes collecting application materials from all 
states and territories receiving HSCO grants. These grants are non-
competing and statutorily required. The new application instructions 
will guide states in aligning Collaboration Office activities with 
updated federal priorities and strengthening integration of Head Start 
within state early childhood systems.
    The application will include brief narrative and structured 
responses describing state plans for coordination, systems integration, 
and program implementation. The request will ensure consistent 
documentation of proposed activities and enable ACF OHS to effectively 
administer and oversee the grants.
    Existing HSCO grants will be extended through February 28, 2027, to 
allow time for PRA approval and transition to new grant awards. 
Following approval, OHS will issue new application instructions, and 
states will be provided with a defined application window to submit 
materials in advance of new 5-year grant awards.
    Respondents: State governments (including the 50 states, the 
District of Columbia, and territories) receiving HSCO grants.

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
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                                                                Annual number    Average burden
                 Instrument                   Total number of    of responses      hours per      Annual burden
                                                respondents     per respondent      response          hours
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HSCO Grant Application......................              52                1             10.4            540.8
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[[Page 55856]]

    Authority: Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.); PRA (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.)

Mary C. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-17745 Filed 8-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-40-P


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