Funding Opportunities

The complete solicitation for all closed direct human service contracts (e.g., CCR&R, Priority Populations Financial Assistance, Information and Referral) are posted on Comm Pass. Requests for Response for these types of solicitations will also be posted here. There are currently not any open Direct Human Services RFRs. 
 

Notice of Intent to Contract with IBM for Computers
The purpose of this Request for Responses (RFR) is to notify all vendors of computers that EEC intends to accept a donation of 50 to 60 KIDSmart computers from IBM in a two year period unless another vendor is willing to provide the same or similar opportunity that would in some manner provide better value to the Commonwealth and early education and care programs. 

Child Care Resource and Referral Services Request for Responses RFR Number 2013 EEC CCRRS 003
Purpose of Notice:  Through the 2013 EEC CCRRS RFR, The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is seeking proposals from agencies that meet industry standards and have qualified staff, engage in strategic planning, are fiscally sound, coordinate with other agencies that serve families and providers with family focused services, understand and value provider development, and have systems in place that support their technological needs to provide resource and referral to families and providers in Massachusetts.

Notice of Intent to Contract with IBM for Donated IBM Reading Companion Programs
The purpose of this Request for Responses (RFR) is to notify all vendors and other interested individuals and vendors that EEC intends to accept a donation proposed by IBM unless another vendor or individual is willing to provide the same or similar opportunity that would in some manner provide better value to the Commonwealth and early education and care programs.  If EEC accepts a vendor a proposal submitted by an applicant, the applicant will be required to enter into a non-financial contract with EEC

ELCG Project 4.3 Supporting Family Literacy - B
Through this competitive Grant Application, EEC seeks to supplement existing adult literacy programs with the addition of a proven family literacy resource.  This resource is intended to engage and support a minimum of 25 families of high needs children per grantee to promote school readiness for their children through the provision of specific adult literacy activities, including use of the IBM Reading Companion software.

ELCG: Project 3.6 Child Assessment Tools
With this funding EEC seeks to purchase paper based and on-line child assessment tools, tool-kits, IT subscriptions, and accompanying technical assistance to allow early education and care programs (schools, family child care providers, and center-based programs) to gather, collect and input on-line data regarding children enrolled in their programs.  This data will be used to develop policies, inform stakeholders, and plan for the future.

ELCG Project 4.2 FY2013 Evidence-Based Early Literacy Models
This is a competitive grant to provide support to existing FY13 CFCE grantees to enhance their implementation of evidence-based early literacy programming for children and families in their communities. 

Through this application, EEC is seeking CFCE grantees that can integrate the use of evidence-based early literacy models into their existing practice and provide ongoing/year round opportunities for parents and children to learn and practice early literacy skills together.

FY2013-FY2016 Facilitation of QRIS Durable Goods and Services/Planning Time Program Quality Improvement Grant
The Facilitation of QRIS Durable Goods and Services/Planning Time Program Quality Improvement Grant aims to support the development and creation of a system of early quality education and care.  

ELCG Project 2.8: FY2013 Business Planning
With this funding EEC seeks to develop an easily accessible course to assist educators in both home-based and center-based settings with implementing sound business practices that will result in higher scores on the PAS and BAS to meet higher level criteria on the QRIS to demonstrate improved program quality. 

ELCG Project 5.3: FY2013 Early Education Partnerships: Birth to Grade Three Strategy
The purpose of this competitive grant program is to provide support to local communities to enhance their integrated and coordinated Birth to Grade Three alignment.

ELCG: Project 11.1 Communication Infrastructure Strategy and Campaign
The purpose of this grant program is to increase inter-agency and public understanding of the role of early education and care in Massachusetts and the Readiness System that the Commonwealth is building.  Through this Grant Application, EEC seeks to award a grant to launch the second phase of this work statewide.  

ELCG Project 8.2 - 8.3 - 8.4 Validation of Educator Competency
Through this competitive Grant Application, EEC seeks to fund one or more qualified applicants to validate the factors inherent in educator competency based on analysis of effective classroom practice with children birth to age 5 as defined by their achievement of desired outcomes in three key areas, social emotional development, literacy, and numeracy

ELCG Project 4.3 Supporting Family Literacy
Through this competitive Grant Application, EEC seeks to supplement existing adult literacy programs with the addition of a proven family literacy resource. 

ELCG Project 5.2 Regional Readiness Center Activities
Through this application process EEC may award grants to existing Regional Readiness Centers to provide professional development opportunities to the early education and care workforce in the mixed delivery system and to convene early childhood educators, providers, and stakeholders within the region and across the state.

ELCG: Higher Education for English Language Learners
Through this competitive Grant Application, EEC seeks to award funds  to an institution of higher education (IHE) to design and deliver an innovative program for educators who are English language learners (ELL) to access higher education while providing the immediate content needed to improve practice with children birth to age 5, who are engaged in formal early education and care.  Specifically, this funding will target paraprofessionals and assistant teachers whose primary language is not English, with the goal of equipping them to effectively assist dual language learner students by achieving higher academic coursework and credentials themselves.

 Financial Literacy Education Project
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is seeking to contract with a vendor to develop a Financial Literacy Education online course, develop an accompanying webinar, and provide trainers’ training on this course to Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grantee agencies in the Commonwealth.

FY 2014 Grant Opportunities

FY2014 Educator and Provider Support Grant
Through this competitive Grant Application, EEC may award grants to one or more vendor(s) who will provide professional development opportunities and services  which support adults to gain knowledge and skills which they can apply to practice through completion of multiple opportunities.  These professional development opportunities must be aligned with the MA Quality Rating and Improvement System.  The target audience of this intervention is programs and the workforce that provide the early education and out of school time three core areas: educator and provider pathways, coaching and mentoring in support of matriculation or competency development, and competency development

FY2014 Mental Health Consultation Grant
As part of a broader comprehensive statewide system of mental health supports for children and families, EEC in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health (DMH), aims to provide a statewide system of mental health consultation services. Through this open competitive grant, EEC may award grants to either new or existing vendors able to provide mental health consultation services that meet the needs of the programs, providers, educators, children, families and communities throughout the Commonwealth.

FY 2013 Grant Opportunities

ARRA SAC FY2013 Community Support Grant Fund Code 119
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Community Support Grant Application Request for Response (RFR).
The purpose of the Community Support Grant is to implement two core functions:

1.Community Strategic Planning:  One-time grants to selected Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grantees serving in Gateway, District Level 4 Schools and Home Visiting Communities to support community birth through age 8 (“B-8”) three year strategic plans, anchored in local data. 

• Plans will be based on child and family needs and the quality and effectiveness of B-8 aligned systems linking local schools, local providers and families through grants to communities.

2.Birth to 8 Assessment, Screening, and Curriculum Support and Alignment:  One-time grants to the following entities:  Gateway, District Level 4 Schools and Home Visiting Communities. The grant application should be submitted in partnership with non-profit communities including public schools, public school districts and/or charter schools serving children pre-kindergarten to third grade, to support assessment, screening, and curriculum support and alignment. 

Responses to this Grant Application (RFR) are due to EEC by 4:00 PM on Friday, November 16, 2012. Please see the Grant Application (RFR) for a timeline of additional dates relevant to responding to this Grant Application (RFR).

This is a competitive grant to provide support to local communities in developing an integrated and coordinated birth to age 8 community planning structure.

FY13 Head Start State Supplemental Grant Fund Code 390-A
In July 2012, EEC received an increase of $500,000 for the FY13 Head Start State Supplemental Grant.  These additional funds will be used to provide additional enhancement of services to full day and/or part day services to Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) programs for children and families in the Commonwealth. The purpose of this additional grant in FY13 is to enhance services to Massachusetts children on EEC’s wait list or on those of existing Head Start programs who are eligible for Head Start based on federal guidelines.

FY 2013 Universal Pre-Kindergarten Open Competitive Grant Fund Code 511-B
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Grant Application Request for Response (RFR).  The purpose of this Open Competitive UPK Grant is to:

• Promote the early learning guidelines to support school readiness and positive outcomes for children participating in UPK classrooms and homes
• Support and enhance the quality of services for children in UPK classrooms and family child care homes,  especially for high needs children and/or children living in underperforming school districts;
• Maximize parent choice by ensuring participation from all program types within a mixed public and private service delivery system;
• Use child evidence based formative assessment systems/tools to ensure that programs are effectively measuring children’s progress across all developmental domains and using this information to inform practice though individualized teaching; and
• Inform the longer-term implementation of a program of universally accessible, high-quality early childhood education.

FY2013 Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Service Area Expansion Grant
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Service Area Grant Application Request for Response (RFR).  Through this competitive Grant Application, EEC is seeking to award grants to up to four existing Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grantees, each of which will provide all families in one of the following service areas with access to locally available comprehensive services and supports that strengthen families and promote optimal child development.  Potential grantees must agree to provide services to all communities within the service area. 

FY2013 Community Support Grant
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Community Support Grant Application Request for Response (RFR).
The purpose of the Community Support Grant is to implement two core functions:
1.Community Strategic Planning:  One-time grants to selected Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grantees serving in Gateway, District Level 4 Schools and Home Visiting Communities to support community birth through age 8 (“B-8”) three year strategic plans, anchored in local data. 
   a. Plans will be based on child and family needs and the quality and effectiveness of B-8 aligned systems linking local schools, local providers and families through grants to communities.
2.Birth to 8 Assessment, Screening, and Curriculum Support and Alignment:  One-time grants to the following entities:  Gateway, District Level 4 Schools and Home Visiting Communities. The grant application should be submitted in partnership with non-profit communities including public schools, public school districts and/or charter schools serving children pre-kindergarten to third grade, to support assessment, screening, and curriculum support and alignment. 
 

FY 2013 Universal Pre-Kindergarten Grant
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Grant Application Request for Response (RFR).  The purpose of UPK is to support and enhance the quality of services for children in UPK classrooms, especially for low-income children and/or children living in underperforming school districts, as well as promote school readiness and positive outcomes for children participating in UPK classrooms and homes. 

FY12 QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants for Early Childhood and Out-Of –School –Time Programs
United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (UWMBMV) and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) have partnered to support and strengthen the capacity of early education and OST program leaders to identify, prioritize, and implement improvements that move them forward in the state’s Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS).  This grant application’s purpose is to provide QRIS Program Quality Improvement Grants to all eligible programs/educators in the mixed delivery system during spring 2012 to make quality program improvements, in pursuit of upward progress on the levels defined in the QRIS system

FY12 Assessment and Measurement Tools
The purpose of the Assessment and Measurement Tools RFP is to award funding to one or more Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) to build an infrastructure within the Commonwealth for training and consultation, and materials and supports for programs in the mixed delivery system to develop skills in evidence based child assessment and screening, as well as the observational tools utilized in the QRIS to measure program quality.

FY 2014 Grant Opportunities

FY2014 Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments Renewal Grant  
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2014 Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments Renewal Grant.  This grant allows lead agencies to serve preschoolers with disabilities in high-quality inclusive settings with their same-aged peers.  Fund Code 391 was released as part of the Early Childhood Special Education Consolidated Grants Renewal package, and was formerly known as the Chapter 188/Phase I Direct Services of Community Partnership for Children Grant (CPC).

FY2014 Universal Pre-Kindergarten Renewal Grant
Through this renewal Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Grant Application, EEC may award grants to existing UPK programs who will support and enhance the quality of services for children in UPK classrooms, especially for “high needs children,” as well as promote school readiness and positive outcomes for children participating in UPK classrooms and homes.

FY2014 Head Start Supplemental Renewal Grant
The Massachusetts Head Start State Supplemental Renewal Grant aims to support the development and creation of a system of early quality education and care. In this system, Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) programs are key partners in supporting and enhancing the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) broader commitment to ensure that all children and families have access to the full array of Head Start services. Through this Request for Proposals, EEC aims to continue to support Head Start and Early Head Start in providing quality education and comprehensive services statewide.

FY2014 Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2014 Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Grant Application Request for Response (RFR).

This grant seeks to renew programs and services provided by FY2013 Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grantees; therefore, only vendors that received a grant in FY2013 are eligible to apply for this renewal funding.

FY 2013 Grant Opportunities

FY2013 Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments Grant (Fund Code 391-A)Re-issued
In an effort to provide an opportunity for eligible grantees that have NOT yet submitted their applications by the initial deadline, June 19, 2012, the FY2013 Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments Grant (IPLE) is being re-issued.  The application due date is being extended from June 19, 2012 to October 16, 2012.  Beyond the deadline, October 16, 2012, we will not be able to honor any applications and will forfeit these funds. 

The Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments Grant (IPLE), formerly known as Chapter 188/Phase I Direct Services of Community Partnership for Children Grant (CPC). This grant allows lead agencies to serve preschoolers with disabilities in high-quality inclusive settings with their typically developing same-aged peers.  Fund Code 391 was formerly released as part of the Early Childhood Special Education Consolidated Grants Renewal package.  In FY13 Fund Code 391 and Fund Code 262 are being issued in as separate grants applications (RFRs)

FY2013 Early Childhood Special Education Allocation (Fund Code 262)
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Early Childhood Special Education Allocation (ECSE) Fund Code (262)

Pertinent to the 2011-2012 school year (grant period September 1, 2011-August 31, 2012), and continuing forward from this date,  (EEC) will allow districts to extend federal Early Childhood Special Education Allocation grant spending through a two year grant period.  The extension will apply specifically to Early Childhood Special Education entitlement grant (Fund Code 262).   The Authority for this action is received through the federal Tydings Amendment.  Your school district is eligible to exercise this option if you have submitted your FY12 Final Financial Report and has returned the unexpended portion of your district’s FY12 funds to the Department of Early Education and Care. 

Through the Tydings process, it is now possible to carry over these remaining funds to be promptly spent during this current grant year, which ends on August 31, 2013.

Please email  Jessica Fix, Program Funding Specialist at jessica.fix@massmail.state.ma.us by March 15, 2013 to request for the Tydings workbook. 

Additional information about the Tydings Request Process for FY13:

If your school district is interested in using the Tydings option to spend the funds listed above, the following process will apply for this current year as follows:    

1. Upon receipt, complete the Tydings Application Workbook, which includes a Budget and Budget Narrative.  Promptly return to EEC by March 15, 2013 following the instructions outlined in workbook.
2. EEC will process and approve your request and send a revised standard contract form via email.  School districts should promptly sign and return via mail the signed standards contract for FY13 Tydings using FY12 262 funds.
3. Upon receipt of the signed standard contract form, EEC will make one automatic payment for the approved amount in full.  It will be important to expend the funds in order to ensure full liquidation by August 31, 2013.
4. School districts will be expected to complete Final Financial Report for tydings located on the Tydings workbook tab.  The Final Financial Tydings Report should be returned to the Department of Early Education and Care upon liquidation of the tydings funds but no later than September 30, 2013 following the instructions outlined in the Tydings Workbook Application.

Please note that although the Tydings option is available, the expectation remains that school districts will make every attempt to expend the full amount of their grant award in the initial grant period in which it is received.  EEC does not recommend that districts regularly choose to exercise this new option, as a new award will be available each year.

In addition, in the event that acceptance of these Tydings funds affects a grantee’s use of FY13 Early Childhood Special Education Allocation, districts are expected to use the FY 13 grant amendment process. These amendments must be received by the EEC by no later than April 12, 2013.  Thank you for your expeditious attention to this matter!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact

Jessica Fix, Program Funding Specialist, jessica.fix@MassMail.State.MA.US or

Evelyn Nellum, Policy Analyst, Special Education.  Evelyn.Nellum@state.ma.us

The Early Childhood Special Education Allocation (ECSE) Grant provided funds to school districts and charter school districts to build capacity and to ensure that eligible 3, 4, and 5 year-old children with disabilities are appropriately identified as eligible for special education and receive developmentally appropriate special education and related services designed to meet their individual needs in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - 2004 (IDEA-2004) and Massachusetts Special Education laws and regulations. Fund Code 262 was formerly released as part of the Early Childhood Special Education Consolidated Grants Renewal package. For fiscal year 2013, Fund Code 262 and Fund Code 391 have been issued as separate grants applications (RFRs)

Responses to this Grant Application (RFR) are due to EEC by 4:00 PM on August 9, 2012. Please see the Grant Application (RFR) for a timeline of additional dates relevant to responding to this Grant Application (RFR).

FY2013 Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments Grant (Fund Code 391)
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments Grant (IPLE).  The Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments Grant (IPLE), formerly known as Chapter 188/Phase I Direct Services of Community Partnership for Children Grant (CPC). This grant allows lead agencies to serve preschoolers with disabilities in high-quality inclusive settings with their typically developing same-aged peers.  Fund Code 391 was formerly released as part of the Early Childhood Special Education Consolidated Grants Renewal package. In FY13 Fund Code 391 and Fund Code 262 are being issued as separate grants applications (RFRs).

FY2013 Head Start State Supplemental Grant
The Massachusetts Head Start State Supplemental Renewal Grant aims to support the development and creation of a system of early quality education and care.  In this system, Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) programs are key partners in supporting and enhancing the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) broader commitment to ensure that all children and families have access to the full array of Head Start services.

FY2013 Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant 
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Grant Application Request for Response (RFR).Responses to this Grant Application (RFR) are due to EEC by 4:00 PM on April 30, 2012. Please see the Grant Application (RFR) for a timeline of additional dates relevant to responding to this Grant Application (RFR).

FY2013 Educator and Provider Support Renewal Grant 
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2013 Educator and Provider Support Renewal Grant Application Request for Response (RFR). EEC's mission is to provide the foundation that supports all children in their development as lifelong learners and contributing members of the community, and to support families in their essential work as parents and caregivers.

 FY2012 Special Education Consolidated Grant Renewal Package
EEC is pleased to announce the FY2012 Early Childhood Special Education Consolidated Grant Renewal Package. The FY12 Early Childhood Special Education Consolidated Grants Renewal package provides public school systems and lead agencies with funding to support 3, 4, and 5 year-old children with disabilities in high-quality programs across settings following the federal and state requirements for inclusive environments.

Forms for grant recipients

Program Contact Information: 
It is imperative for all applicants to submit any staffing contact information on a timely basis.  Please use the Program Contact Sheet  to update and submit your changes.  Failure to do so will delay communication related to important grant information.

FY11 - FY12 Closed Grants

FY12-FY13 Closed Grants