March 13, 2023

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2023-24 Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Request for Applications:

Full Competitive Rebid - Action Required

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the competitive 2023-24 Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (PA PKC) Request for Applications (RFA)


This is a full, competitive rebid opportunity to disperse all available funding to select eligible grantees for a five-year grant period beginning in FY 2023-24. All FY 2022-23 Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grantees wishing to serve children in FY 2023-2024 MUST apply as part of this competitive rebid process. In addition, applications from those seeking to become new Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grantees will be reviewed.


This RFA is intended to support providers in preparing to serve and enroll children by September 2023. The RFA is being released in March 2023 to give providers time to conduct outreach to families; recruit, hire and train staff; and plan for implementing the program pending grant approval.


Applicants must submit Letters of Intent to RA-PAPreKCounts@pa.gov by 3 PM on March 28, 2023. Only applicants that submit a complete Letter of Intent by the deadline may apply for funding. 


INTRODUCTION

Pennsylvania is committed to ensuring that all children begin school ready to learn and succeed in their schooling careers, as lifelong learners, and productive citizens. Research confirms what most parents already know: all children can tap into their innate potential to learn when they receive high-quality instruction that takes into consideration what is known about brain development and how young children learn. Early childhood education is a proven strategy that ensures a child’s readiness for school and school success.


Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (PA PKC) was established by Act 45 of 2007 (Article XV-D(b) of the Public School Code and amended in 2008 and 2019) to expand the number of children able to experience a pre-kindergarten program of high quality. The standards for the program ensure a high return on the investment made in preparing young children for school and help close the achievement gap. Early education through PA PKC can open the doors of opportunity for every child to do well in school, in the workforce, and in life.

 

RFA PROCESS

These guidelines and application process detail a full, competitive rebid opportunity to disperse all available funding to select eligible grantees for a five-year grant period beginning in FY 2023-24. All FY 2022-23 Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grantees wishing to serve children in FY 2023-2024 MUST apply as part of this competitive rebid process. In addition, applications from those seeking to become new Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grantees will be reviewed.

 

The ceiling or limit on the potential number of slots that may be awarded to any applicant will depend upon a county’s unmet need percentages and the amount of funding available. Funding is contingent upon approval by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.


Grants are funded via state dollars and, therefore, carryover funds are not permitted. All grant dollars identified in this FY 2023-24 application must be encumbered or spent by June 30, 2024.

Pennsylvania continues to be committed to a mixed delivery system. As such, eligible applicants include existing PA PKC grantees and new applicants from these five eligible entity categories:

a.    School districts;

b.    PDE-licensed nursery schools;

c.    Head Start grantees;

d.    Child care centers and group child care homes designated at Keystone STAR 3 or STAR 4; and

e.    Third-party entities applying for PA PKC funding to administer the lead agency responsibilities for entities that are eligible to provide the classroom services under the categories listed above.


Eligible applicants must provide assurance that they operate in full compliance with Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Statute, Regulations, and Guidance. Applicants should thoroughly review Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Statute, Regulations, and Guidance and are encouraged to view the “Getting to Know PA PKC Rebid Webinar Series” posted at PA PRE-K COUNTS HOW TO APPLY – THE PENNSYLVANIA KEY (pakeys.org) prior to submission of a Letter of Intent to apply to ensure an understanding of the program requirements and expectations of compliance if an application is successful. The application review process will include evaluation of the extent to which the applicant demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the PA PKC statute and regulations.


Applicants must also have the following in place to complete an application:

  • Letter of Intent (see below);
  • Vendor number (SAP #);
  • Administrative unit number (AUN);
  • Master provider index number (MPI);
  • Federal ID number or tax ID number; and
  • MyPDESuite Login ID.


All information relevant to the application process is available in the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Request for Applications (RFA) Guidance. Applicants should review all information in that document before submitting the Letter of Intent. Any questions should be sent to RA-PAPreKCounts@pa.gov.



REQUIRED LETTER OF INTENT

Interested applicants must submit a fully completed Letter of Intent by 3 pm on March 28, 2023 to RA-PAPreKCounts@pa.gov.

 

Because of the need to establish access to the eGrants procurement system, applicants must submit a completed Letter of Intent to apply for funds using the template posted at PKC How to Apply. The Letter of Intent represents the applicant’s intent to apply for PA PKC funding and must include the legal name of the eligible entity that will apply, the AUN associated with the applying legal entity’s proposed PA PKC provider type, preliminary information about requested funding, program model, provider type, and area to be served. Except for the legal entity and AUN, information submitted in the Letter of Intent may be modified in the final eGrants application.

 

Programs that do not submit the Letter of Intent will not be able to access or submit a funding application in eGrants. Late submissions will not be accepted. Applicants submitting a fully complete Letter of Intent to RA-PAPreKCounts@pa.gov by 3 PM on March 28, 2023 will be notified when the PA PKC application is open in eGrants.

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