Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Early Childhood Development (ECD) HRSA-23-028 applicants should read the information on this page in conjunction with the ECD Notice of Funding Opportunity and example forms. These and additional technical assistance resources are available on the ECD Technical Assistance webpage.
On this page:
Budget Requirements
- How should I present my ECD budget request on the SF-424A and in other budget documents?
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Year 1 Budget Information Year 2 Budget Information SF-424A Section A:
Request federal funding by subprogram (i.e., CHC, HCH, MHC, PHPC) and list non-federal funding, if any, by subprogramSF-424A Section E:
Request federal funding by subprogram (i.e., CHC, HCH, MHC, PHPC) in “First” future year fieldSF-424A Section B:
Break out federal and non-federal funding by cost categoryBudget Narrative:
Break out federal and non-federal funding by cost category (with detail)SF-424A Section C:
Break out non-federal funding by sourcesBudget Narrative:
Break out by federal and non-federal funding by cost category (with detail)Equipment List (if applicable):
List equipment purchases (federal costs only, limited to $150,000)(Added: 2/10/2023)
- Why will ECD funding be issued through a new grant number?
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ECD funding will be issued under a new grant number separate from current Health Center Program operational (H80) grant awards to support tracking of FY 2023 ECD spending. Health centers receiving ECD awards will need to separately track and account for their activities supported through the ECD (H8K) funding.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- What non-federal funding should I include in my ECD budget proposal?
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Include only non-federal funds that you will leverage to support your ECD project, and do not duplicate previously projected non-federal resources under your H80 award or any Health Center Program supplemental funding awards. Include non-federal funds in the SF-424A Budget Information Form and the Budget Narrative attachment.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- If I use ECD funds to purchase a mobile unit, can I also use it for other purposes?
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The primary purpose of mobile units purchased with ECD funds must be to deliver early childhood development services in support of your ECD project.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
Project Overview Form
- Why is “team-based care coordination” a required activity area?
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ECD services require a team-based approach to ensure coordination across multiple providers that assess and support childhood development within health centers and across community settings. Team-based care coordination supports the delivery of safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, culturally competent, and equitable ECD services.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
Staffing
- May I use ECD funding to increase the FTE of an existing staff member who is currently less than 1.0 FTE?
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Yes. You may use ECD funding to increase the FTE of an existing staff member as long as the staff member does not exceed 1.0 FTE across all awards. Personnel compensation must align with your existing written policies and procedures and 45 C.F.R. § 75.430.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- May I use ECD funding to rehire staff previously supported by a funding source that will end before September 1, 2023?
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Yes. You may use ECD funds to retain or rehire staff previously supported by a funding source that will end before September 1, 2023. Your Budget Narrative should explain how the staff person’s role will contribute to the ECD purpose and objectives.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- Can I use ECD funding for recruitment incentives to secure qualified personnel for this project?
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Yes. Recruitment incentives may be part of a salary package supported by ECD funding, if consistent with your health center’s standard practice. Any incentives should be covered through your indirect cost rate, if applicable. If you have no indirect cost rate agreement, recruitment incentives may be charged as direct costs.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- Can I use ECD funding to pay recruitment agency fees?
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Yes. Costs or fees associated with an outside recruitment agency to hire personnel to support the ECD project are allowed.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
Scope of Project
- What resources are available to help me determine if my ECD project will require a change in scope?
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Use the technical assistance materials on the Scope of Project webpage to assess your scope of project (Form 5A: Services Provided, Form 5B: Service Sites, and Form 5C: Other Activities/Locations). Contact your H80 program specialist for additional guidance.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- Can I make changes to my scope of project through the ECD application?
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No. However, you may submit a change in scope (CIS) request through EHBs, including scope adjustment or formal CIS, whenever you are ready. HRSA recommends that you submit such requests 60 days before implementing a change, and you may submit a CIS before receiving your ECD award.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- Can I propose activities at a site that I plan to bring into scope later?
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No. Proposed activities must occur at sites (including mobile units) in your approved scope of project, as listed on Form 5B. But if a new site is added to scope, ECD funding may support approved ECD activities at that site.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
Reporting
- How will I report on the ECD measures?
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You will report on the developmental screening measure, which is a new Uniform Data System (UDS) measure for 2023, via annual UDS reports. You will report on the assistance with accessing appropriate follow-up services measure in your Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) Progress Report in year 1 and a Follow-Up Assists Data Report in year 2.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- What number do I include when reporting on the assistance with accessing appropriate follow-up services measure?
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You will report on the number of children who receive assistance within 30 days of a developmental screening identifying an area of concern.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- What are some examples of appropriate follow-up services?
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Examples of appropriate follow-up services include but are not limited to early intervention, developmental evaluation, service coordination/case management, speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy, hearing and vision services, food and nutrition services, home visiting services, early learning programs, special instruction/family training, support groups, parent-child mental health services, and other referral and follow-up services.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- How will HRSA determine if my health center can continue to receive ECD funding after the 2-year period of performance?
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You will report on a developmental screening measure and an assistance with accessing appropriate follow-up services measure. HRSA will determine if you will receive ongoing funding based on your progress on these measures as well as based on information from semi-annual progress reports and availability of future funds to support ECD.
HRSA will collect baseline information on the developmental screening measure in your 2023 UDS report and measure progress from the baseline data through your 2024 UDS report. HRSA will collect baseline information on the assistance with accessing appropriate follow-up services measure through your Non-Competing Continuation Progress Report and measure progress from the baseline data through your Follow-Up Assists Data Report.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
Other
- How do I complete the fields in the SF-424?
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See the General Instructions for Application Submission (section 5) in the F-424 Two-Tier Application Guide (PDF - 701 KB). This table includes information on how to respond to specific sections.
Box Number Field Response 1 Type of Submission Application 2 Type of Application New 3 Date Received Leave blank (completed automatically in Grants.gov) 4 Applicant Identifier Enter your H80 number (not required) 5a, 5b Federal Entity Identifier, Federal Award Identifier Leave blank 12 Funding Opportunity Number HRSA-23-028 14 Areas Affected by Project List the main site where you will implement your ECD project 15 Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project Early Childhood Development 16 Congressional Districts Include the congressional district for your main site (an attachment is not required) 17 Proposed Project The period of performance is September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2025 18 Estimated Funding ($) Enter amount of ECD funding requested for year 1 in a. Federal box (up to $200,000) 19 Is Application Subject to Review Under Executive Order 12372 Process? Select a. if your state is included in the SPOC List (PDF - 332 KB).
If not, select b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review.(Added: 2/10/2023)
- How do I make changes to an application that was submitted in EHBs?
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EHBs allows the authorizing official (AO) to reopen the application in EHBs before the EHBs deadline. For additional details and step-by-step instructions with screenshots, refer to the Reopen Submitted Applications webpage. The AO must resubmit the reopened application in EHBs by 5 p.m. ET on the EHBs due date for the application to be considered.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- How does a developmental screening differ from a routine well-child visit?
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Well-child visits deliver comprehensive preventive health services and occur at specific intervals (PDF - 344 KB). They include services and screenings such as physical examination, monitoring of growth and developmental milestones, and provision of recommended immunizations. While developmental surveillance is recommended at all visits, screening for developmental milestones is recommended during well-child visits at 9, 18, and 30 months, and if a concern is noted and at 18 and/or 24 months to screen for autism spectrum disorder.
(Added: 2/10/2023)
- Can we assist patients with accessing appropriate follow-up within the health center?
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Yes. You may assist patients with accessing appropriate follow-up services that you provide directly within your health center or follow-up services that are provided by another organization on behalf of your health center via a formal contract/agreement.
(Added: 2/10/2023)