Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for participation in the NHSA Quality Initiative a Head Start or Early Head Start program must:

• Have an active membership in the National Head Start Association: All applicants must be program members of NHSA and be current in their payment of NHSA membership dues for the year in which the application is submitted.


• Be in full compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and Other Regulations including CLASSTM scores that meet the requirements of 45 CFR 1307.3 (c)(1)(i-iii).


• Not currently be subject to competition per 45 CFR 1307.3 (a-g).

Application

How to Apply

A Letter of Intent should be submitted to indicate the program's intent to apply for the Quality Initiative. The application content can be found in the Quality Initiative Guidelines and Application Content (PDF) located on this page. After payment has been received, the program will be given access to an online application tool in which responses will be submitted.

1. Programs first submit a Letter of Intent.


2. Upon receipt of this letter, NHSA will send an invoice for the application fee.


3. With the application fee paid, programs will gain access to an online tool where application responses, including the Program Profile, will be submitted.

Open Enrollment Application Period: Applications for the NHSA Quality Initiative are accepted on an ongoing year-round basis.

Application Deadline: Programs will have four (4) months to complete the application. The deadline date will be set by NHSA and e-mailed to the identified QI contact person(s).

Submitting the Application: Responses to the application components will be submitted using an online tool. Upon receipt of the application fee, access to the online tool will be sent to the QI contact person(s).

Letter of Intent

Applicants should submit a Letter of Intent stating the following:

• Name of the program


• Designation desired: Program of Achievement - Provisional level, Program of Achievement - Sustaining level, or Program of Excellence


• Head Start grant amount


• Name and address of where the invoice should be e-mailed or mailed

The Letter of Intent should be on the program’s letterhead and can be e-mailed to Carleen Wallington Kinlock, NHSA Professional Development Project Manager at cwallingtonkinlock@nhsa.org.

After the Letter of Intent is received, NHSA will create and submit an invoice to the program.

Application Fees