480-50-3708 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start
🏛 Illinois Department of Early Childhood
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Sep 2, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations serving migrant and seasonal farm-worker families in Illinois. Eligible applicants are nonprofits, community organizations, and government entities with capacity to operate a comprehensive Head Start program. The program serves children ages six weeks to six years from migrant and seasonal agricultural worker households. Funded activities include early childhood education, developmental screening, health services, meals, mental health support, and transportation for eligible children and families.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
SCOPE OF WORK
Provide a full-day, comprehensive Head Start child development program to children, ages six weeks to six years, from migrant and seasonal farm-worker families. Program includes early childhood education, school readiness, developmental assessment, mental health screening, field trips, project work, immunizations, nutritious meal service and medical and dental examinations, completion of dental and medical treatment for children who need it, social-service referrals and transportation services. Administered by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 480-50-3708).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- GATA application form (Illinois CSFA system)
- Project narrative and work plan
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evidence of partnerships with farm-worker communities
- Staff qualifications and organizational chart
- Proof of nonprofit status or government agency authorization
Program contact
- 👤 Rosario Wortman
- 📧 Rosario.Wortman@Illinois.gov
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government agencies serving migrant and seasonal farm-worker families in Illinois can apply. You must demonstrate capacity to operate a comprehensive Head Start program.
What are the funding amounts?
Awards range from $750,000 to $1,800,000. The total funding pool is $5,818,869.
What activities does the grant support?
The program funds full-day early childhood education, health screenings, dental and medical services, nutritious meals, mental health support, developmental assessments, and transportation for eligible children.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is September 15, 2026. Check the Illinois GATA Catalog for any deadline changes or rolling application periods.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a strong partnership with migrant and seasonal farm-worker networks to ensure you can reach and serve eligible families effectively.
- Include detailed staffing plans showing Head Start-trained educators and bilingual capacity for serving agricultural worker families.
- Demonstrate experience with or capacity to provide comprehensive health services including dental, medical, and mental health screening and treatment.
- Align your proposed program calendar and hours with migrant and seasonal agricultural work patterns in your service area.
- Include letters of support from farm-worker advocacy organizations, agricultural employers, or community partners serving this population.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack clear outreach strategies for reaching migrant and seasonal farm-worker families and documenting enrollment capacity. Proposers underestimate staffing and operational costs required for full-day, year-round comprehensive services. Applications fail to demonstrate cultural competence, bilingual capacity, or experience serving this specific population.
Similar grants
- ROLLING 2024 LHTF NOFA Round 5 — Department of Housing and Community Development (California)
- OPEN Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program: Development and Implementation Grants — Administration for Children and Families
- OPEN Advancing Screening, Diagnosis, and Referral for Late Talking Children — National Institutes of Health
- CLOSED FY27 RFP COAEEAP27007 for TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE for NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) GRANT PROPOSAL — Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
- OPEN Head Start/Early Head Grants in Multiple States — Administration for Children and Families - OHS