Resource Library

The following briefs are resources on financial capability topics for Head Start/Early Head Start programs.

Assessing Head Start & Early Head Start Families’ Financial Capability

This brief outlines strategies and tools Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) can use to gain a deeper understanding of how HS/EHS families are managing their finances to decide which services might help them build financial capability.

Financial Coaching in Head Start Programs

This brief discusses financial coaching in Head Start settings and presents methods for providing financial coaching as well as training resources for programs interested in building staff capacity to become financial coaches.

This brief shares lessons learned from three local intermediary organizations that have supported nonprofits in their efforts to integrate financial capability services into existing program. Financial capability is the capacity—based on knowledge, skills, and access—to manage financial resources effectively.

The purpose of this Information Memorandum (IM) is to provide clarification related to Sections 408 and 409 of the Assets for Independence Act.

Please see the attached full Information Memorandum for details.

The purpose of this Information Memorandum (IM) is to clarify what constitutes qualified expenses for an eligible individual.

Please see the attached full Information Memorandum for details.

AFI grantees are now required to use the new PPR to report data on their AFI project(s).  AFI will no longer collect the SF-PPR form semiannually.  Financial reporting requirements are not affected by the new PPR; grantees must still submit the SF-425 semiannually for each AFI grant.

Please see the attached full Information Memorandum for details.

To ensure efficient and effective management of OCS programs, the Office of the Director (OD) requested and received approval from the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to restructure OCS Divisions.

Dear Colleagues:

As previous letters released in May 2015 and April 2016 have described, the Office of Community Services (OCS) sought approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the proposed Assets for Independence (AFI) program-specific Performance Progress Report (PPR). On August 23, 2016, the proposed AFI PPR was approved by OMB without any changes.  AFI grantees are now required to use the new PPR to report data on their AFI project(s) moving forward.  AFI will no longer collect the SF-PPR form semiannually.  Financial reporting requirements are not affected by the new PPR; grantees must still submit the SF-425 semiannually for each AFI grant.

Dear Colleagues,

The Office of Community Services (OCS) is requesting feedback from Assets for Independence (AFI) grantees and stakeholders on proposed AFI program specific Performance Progress Report (PPR) data collection instruments.  On April 8, 2016, a Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) notice for public comment was published in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/04/08/2016-08090/submis... .

Clarification of the Grandfather Clause at Section 405(g) of the AFI Act.

The AFI program was authorized under the Assets for Independence Act in Title IV of the Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational Services Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998, P.L. 105-285 (the AFI Act). The AFI Act includes Sections 401 through 416.

(g) GRANDFATHERING OF EXISTING STATEWIDE PROGRAMS.--Any statewide individual asset-building program that is carried out in a manner consistent with the purposes of this title, that is established under State law as of the date of enactment of this Act, and that as of such date is operating with an annual State appropriation of not less than $1,000,000 in non-Federal funds, shall be deemed to meet the eligibility requirements of this subtitle, and the entity carrying out the program shall be deemed to be a qualified entity. The Secretary shall consider funding the statewide program as a demonstration project described in this subtitle. In considering the statewide program for funding, the Secretary shall review an application submitted by the entity carrying out such statewide program under this section, notwithstanding the preference requirements listed in subsection (d). Any program requirements under sections 407 through 411 that are inconsistent with State statutory requirements in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, governing such statewide program, shall not apply to the program.

Dear Colleague,

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, and in celebration of the next generation of tribal leaders, we, in the Office of Community Services (OCS), are writing today to ask for your partnership in helping create more opportunities for Native youth engagement, empowerment, education and employment.