Head Start agencies and institutions of higher education partnerships

The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 657C, as added by section 26, the following: 657D. Head Start agencies and institutions of higher education partnerships (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible agency The term eligible agency means a Head Start agency, including an Early Head Start agency. (2) Eligible program The term eligible program means a Head Start program, including an Early Head Start program. (3) Hispanic-serving institution The term Hispanic-serving institution has the meaning given such term in section 502(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)). (4) Historically black college or university The term historically Black college or university has the meaning given the term part B institution in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). (5) Minority-serving institution The term minority-serving institution means an institution described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). (6) Student parent The term student parent, with respect to an institution of higher education, means an individual who— (A) is a parent; (B) is enrolled in a program of postsecondary education at such institution; and (C) whose child is eligible for an eligible program. (7) Tribal College or University The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given the term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)). (b) Pilot program authorized (1) In general From amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible agencies to form partnerships with institutions of higher education to support the participation of student parents in on-campus eligible programs. (2) Duration An award made under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of 5 years, with an opportunity for renewal for additional 3-year periods in accordance with subsection (f)(2). (c) Use of funds Grant funds awarded under subsection (b) shall be used by a partnership between an eligible agency and an institution of higher education to support or establish a campus-based eligible program to serve the needs of student parents enrolled in the institution. (d) Applications An eligible agency desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. Each application shall— (1) describe the partnership with the institution of higher education involved; (2) specify the amount of funds requested; (3) demonstrate the need of student parents at the institution for campus-based Head Start services by including— (A) information regarding student demographics and income; (B) information regarding the existence of waiting lists for existing Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) in the community surrounding the institution; (C) information regarding additional needs created by concentrations of poverty or by geographic isolation; and (D) other relevant data; (4) contain a description of the activities to be assisted, including whether the grant funds will support an existing eligible program (as of the date of application) or a new eligible program; (5) identify the resources, including technical expertise and financial support, the Head Start agency will draw upon to support the partnership and the participation of student parents; and (6) in the case of an eligible agency seeking assistance for a new eligible program located on an institution’s campus— (A) provide a timeline, covering the period from receipt of the grant through the provision of the services, delineating the specific steps the agency and institution will take to achieve the goal of reaching student parents; and (B) include a plan for identifying— (i) resources needed for the partnership, including space in which to provide the eligible program; (ii) community services and partnerships; and (iii) technical assistance if necessary. (e) Priority The Secretary shall give priority in awarding partnership grants under this section to eligible agencies that propose to support eligible programs that— (1) partner with historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, or other minority-serving institutions, including Hispanic-serving institutions; (2) meet the needs of underserved children and institutions of higher education with high populations of student parents; or (3) serve a high proportion of student parents who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a). (f) Reporting requirements; continuing eligibility (1) Reporting requirements (A) Reports Each eligible agency receiving a grant under this section shall submit a report to the Secretary annually. (B) Contents The report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include— (i) data on the population served under the grant under this section; (ii) information on campus and community resources and funding used to help student parents access the eligible program supported under the grant; (iii) information on the impact of the grant on the quality or availability of campus-based early childhood education services at the institution of higher education; and (iv) information on how the partnership influences the educational opportunities for student parents at such institution. (2) Renewal The Secretary may renew a grant under this section on the basis of the reports submitted under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that the institution with which the eligible entity is partnering is making a good-faith effort to ensure that student parents at the institution have access to eligible programs. (g) Coordination An eligible agency receiving a grant under this section and the institution of higher education with which the eligible agency is partnering may coordinate services and grant funds provided under this section with campus-based child care services supported under the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program under section 419N of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070e)..