A bond is a financial guarantee by a surety company that work will be completed as described in a contract. This resource can be used by program directors and their facilities planning teams to understand the relevant requirements for bonding. Most construction contractors are familiar with the process of obtaining surety bonds.

Prior to fiscal year (FY) 2016, all Head Start grantees were required to submit financial reports made for its federal award(s) using standard form (SF) Federal Financial Report 425 (lines 10a, b, and c), detailing the cash transactions in the Payment Management System (PMS), and separate reports to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) detailing the expenditures (lines 10d-o) made for the same award(s).

The Office of Management and Budget provides instructions for completing the SF-425A Financial Reporting Form. The SF-425A Financial Reporting Form is a consolidation of financial reporting forms SF-269, SF-269A, SF-272, and SGF-272A. Grantees will find these instructions useful when completing their financial reporting forms.

The Hatch Act restricts political activity of federal, state, and local government employees. The Act also restricts the political activity of employees whose employment is financed in whole or in part by a grant award. Grantees and delegates should be mindful of this policy and avoid any violations of the law with regard to their staff members’ political activities.

It is never safe for a child to be in or around a vehicle without adult supervision. During the warmer months of the year, unattended children left in cars are more likely to suffer heat-related illnesses. Children also may suffer injury when playing alone around parked vehicles. Program staff and parents can use this resource to learn more about car safety practices that keep young children healthy.

Following is a list of non-profit financial and Technical Assistance (TA) intermediaries involved in planning, developing, and financing facilities for low-income child care and Head Start programs. Grantees looking for new funding resources to support their goals and objectives will find this information useful.

Nonprofits often get by with versatile staff members willing to tackle new challenges and a lot of help from reliable volunteers. But sometimes you need a level of expertise or experience only a consultant can offer. This is especially true when dealing with technology and data systems. 

Overdue reports within the time allowed may result in suspension or termination of an active grant, withholding a non-competing continuation award, or other enforcement actions, including withholding of payments or converting to the reimbursement method of payment. Grantees will find this information useful to avoid penalties associated with overdue reports.

Head Start leaders who implement strong governance systems often face important questions. When such questions arise, leaders should refer first to key Head Start policy and regulation.

The Pro-Children’s Act of 2001 imposes restrictions on smoking in facilities where federally-funded children’s services are provided. Grantees that are subject to these requirements will find this information useful.