Early Start CT will have 2 types of funding processes for state financial year (SFY) 2026:
- Baseline funding: Any programs in Connecticut currently receiving Child Day Care contracts, School Readiness grants, and/or State Head Start supplement grants that apply and meet the requirements will get this funding.
- Competitive funding: Eligible programs in Connecticut can apply and compete for this funding. Funding decisions will be made based on how well applicants score on specific criteria.
Baseline funding RFA (Part A)
Eligibility
Programs currently funded by any of these 3 funding streams:
- Child Day Care (CDC) contracts
- School Readiness (SR) grants
- State Head Start supplement grants
If you don’t receive at least one of these types of funding currently, you can’t apply to the Baseline Funding RFA.
Requirements
Early Start CT funding requirements will be in line with the current requirements for receiving Child Day Care contracts, School Readiness grants, and State Head Start supplement grants.
Funding amounts
Each applicant is eligible for a set amount of baseline funding.
Compared to what you previously received based on your utilized spaces from current funding streams over the last 2 years, you will be eligible for the same amount or more from Early Start CT.
When you get your personalized application email, it will include your funding amounts. Learn more about the funding formula we’re using.
Current State Head Start (SHS) supplement grant recipients: Programs currently receiving State Head Start supplement grant funding will be eligible for the same amount as your program currently receives.
How to apply
OEC sent every eligible program a personalized application email on November 19, 2024.
Questions Regarding RFA
- Eligible applicants should direct all questions regarding the ESCT RFA to oec.app.eceqi@ct.gov and the subject line must include the program’s name and registry ID#.
- Q&A Documents will be posted on November 22, 2024 and November 27, 2024.
- Early Start CT RFA Questions and Answers (posted 11/22/24)
- Early Start CT RFA Questions and Answers #2 (posted 11/27/24)
- Early Start CT RFA Questions and Answers #3 (posted 12/2/24)
- Information Session PowerPoint
Competitive funding RFA (Part B)
Eligibility
Competitive funding will be open to any licensed child care program or license-exempt child care program or school district in Connecticut.
This includes programs currently funded by Child Day Care contracts, School Readiness grants, or a State Head Start supplement grant that meet all requirements of the Baseline Funding RFA.
Unlike the baseline funding, programs will compete for these funds.
Requirements
We will provide more information about the requirements to receive funding when the Competitive Funding RFA is posted.
How to apply
We’ll post the ESCT RFA Part B on our website.