618759 - FY26 Shared Visions Preschool Renewal Application
Funding Opportunity Details

Early Childhood At-Risk

Final Application Deadline: Jun 4, 2025 4:30 PM

Description

• Description

  IOWA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

  Shared Visions Preschool: Child Development Programs for Preschool Children At-Risk and Their Families

   

  RENEWAL APPLICATION

  2025-2026

  This is a one-year extension to the current 5-year grant cycle with a renewal year being offered to current grantees awarded in FY21-FY25. A new competitive grant is anticipated to be made available to the public for funding in FY27.

   

  Availability of Funds:

  Grant application awards are contingent on the 2025 legislative appropriation. Additional application requirements may be added if legislatively mandated. Applicants will be notified of any changes to the application.

   

  APPLICATION DEADLINE:   June 4, 2025 by 4:30 PM

   

  Contact: Amy Stegeman, Consultant

  Iowa Department of Education

  Grimes State Office Building

  400 East 14th Street

  Des Moines, IA  50319-0146

  Amy.Stegeman@iowa.gov

   

  OVERVIEW and GENERAL INFORMATION

  Introduction

  In 1988, the Iowa Legislature established Iowa Code 256A creating the Child Development Coordinating Council (CDCC) and funding the Shared Visions Preschool Programs. The mission of the CDCC is to advocate for Iowa’s children and families and support model comprehensive child development programs for children at-risk and their families. The CDCC advises the Iowa Department of Education (Department) regarding the administration and implementation of state funded at-risk programs for children ages birth to five. The Department administers the Shared Visions Preschool Program which provides comprehensive quality preschool program experiences for children meeting identified risk factors who are ages three to five years. 

  At the advisement of the CDCC, the Department is issuing a one-year extension to the renewal option of the FY21 awarded grants and to fund Shared Visions Preschool Programs. The purpose is to collect applications that will continue the services as awarded in FY21 while providing a Shared Visions Preschool Program created in accordance with Iowa Code section 256A, Iowa Code section 279.51, and the rules in 281--Iowa Administrative Code 64. 

  Eligible Applicants

  Any public school, non-profit licensed child care center, Head Start agency, community action agency, or other public, non-profit agency which received a FY21 Shared Visions Preschool Program grant award may apply. It is required that applicants meet program requirements as outlined in Iowa Code section 256A, Iowa code section 279.51, and 281— Iowa Administrative Code 64. Eligible applicants may provide services to children ages three to five years in Iowa and must be able to meet primary and secondary enrollment requirements as defined in 281-Iowa Administrative Code 64. 

   Application and Grant Information

  All required components of the application must be completed following the stated instructions and submitted in a timely manner. Funding and final award amounts for FY26 are contingent on the 2025 legislative appropriation. 

  Services must be classroom-based, and applications are site specific. The Department would need to administer a process of negotiation with an awarded applicant if a location change would be requested after funding is awarded. 

  Annual reporting is required and will include a mid-year budget report and year-end report. Other reports or information needed to determine how well the goals and objectives of the grant are being met may also be requested per 281-Iowa Administrative Code 64.33.  

  Program Period

  The first year of the program period was FY21. Grants were awarded for one year with a renewal option for up to five years provided grantees meet program requirements. An additional renewal year is being made available for FY26 and all funding is contingent on annual legislative appropriations. The funding period for FY26 (additional renewal year – year six) is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.  There are no remaining renewal years for the current grant cycle. 

  Services to be Delivered and Performance Criteria

  Awarded applicants are expected to:

  • Follow program requirements as outlined in 281--Iowa Administrative Code 64, Iowa Code section 256A, and Iowa Code section 279.51.
  • Enroll no fewer than 80% of age-eligible children who are from families who meet the financial eligibility criteria for free and reduced price meals offered under the child nutrition program. (primary eligibility: 281-Iowa Administrative Code 64.29) 
  • Enroll no more than 20% of age-eligible children based on other at-risk factors (secondary eligibility: 281-Iowa Administrative Code 64.30)
  • Meet the program standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children Accreditation+, Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards, or Head Start Program Performance Standards (grantee responsibilities: 281-Iowa Administrative Code 64.33)
  • Maintain the program standards identified in the awarded application throughout the grant cycle (unforeseen circumstances resulting in a request to change program standards will be considered at the discretion of the Council)
  • Provide comprehensive services in a classroom-based setting  
  • Maintain a classroom ratio of 1 adult for every 8 children
  • Maintain an agreement with Teaching Strategies, LLC under the Iowa GOLD State Service Umbrella Agreement and complete three state-determined checkpoints with all enrolled children (CDCC Policy Regarding Child Assessment and Student Identifier Numbers; See attachments section)
  • Provide requested information to allow the Department to create unique student ID numbers
  • Provide an annual in-kind match of at least 20% of the total grant award
  • Immediately inform the Department of any budget revisions to allow for negotiation (281-Iowa Administrative Code 64.11)
  • Complete a mid-year budget report and year-end report in a format determined by the Department (281-Iowa Administrative code 64.33)
  • Maintain records to include, but not limited to: (281- Iowa Administrative Code 64.33)
    • information on children and families served
    • direct services provided to children,
    • record of expenditures,
    • other appropriate information specified by the council necessary for overall evaluation.

  Procedures Used to Determine Approval

  Applications will be reviewed to ensure program requirements and services will be maintained as described in the FY21 awarded application. Any necessary changes to program design or the service plan must be submitted within the renewal application for review and consideration for approval. 

  All applicants will receive notification of funding status no later than 45 days following the due date for the renewal application. All award amounts will be confirmed within 45 days of the annual state appropriation being finalized. Budget negotiation may be necessary to accommodate the obligation of all funds.   

  Awards will be finalized for each successful applicant within the Iowa Grants System. Assurances shall be signed by an official with authority to bind the applicant and shall be submitted to the Department through the online application system, IowaGrants.gov, prior to the award of any funds under this program.

  FY26 grant awards are contingent upon the 2025 legislative appropriation.

   

  Submission of Application

  The Department must receive the application by 4:30 PM Wednesday, June 4, 2025 through the online grant application system, IowaGrants.gov.  This is a mandatory requirement and will not be subject to waiver as a minor deficiency. 

  Please adhere to all requirements and instructions within each form of the application within IowaGrants.gov.  Any information submitted separately from the application will not be considered in the renewal process.                                                                                                       

  Requests for Reconsideration and Contract Termination

  Information on requests for reconsideration and contract termination may be found in 281--Iowa Administrative Code 64.

Income Eligibility Guidelines