JUSTIFICATION FOR PURCHASE OF A
HEAD START FACILITY

Worksheet #13


Legislative Provision
Information for Grant Application
Provide a description of the site of the facility proposed to be purchased.
  • Explain how the location of the proposed facility is appropriate, given the grantee' proposed service and recruitment area.
Provide the plans and specification of the facility.
  • Provide plans and specifications, including type of structure, square footage, how many rooms it has currently, bathroom facilities, and kitchen space.
  • Provide information about the property on which the facility is located, including availability of parking and location of proposed playground equipment.
  •  Demonstrate that the facility complies or will be able to comply, after renovation, with State and local licensing requirements and ADA accessibility requirements.
  • Be specific about proposed uses of the facility, including use as classroom space for additional children.
  • Indicate the renovations that will be required.
Indicate savings resulting from the proposed purchase when compared to the costs that would be incurred to acquire the use of an alternative facility.
  • Include business proposals which show the cost-benefits of purchase as compared to rental. In conducting this analysis,  consider not only the relative costs of a mortgage versus rent, but any related costs, such as transportation and utilities.
  • In your cost comparisons, address one-time costs necessary to purchase the facility.
  • Describe the method being proposed to purchase the facility (e.g., whether the grantee is seeking one-time funds to buy the facility outright, thus incurring no mortgage obligation, or whether teh request is to use grant funds to offset mortgage costs).
  • State what the anticipated costs will be for any proposed down payment, necessary closing costs, any renovation costs.
  • Allocate costs among programs if the facilities are not used exclusively by Head Start.
Provide justification if the lack of alternative facilities will prevent the operation of the Head Start program
  • Include a detailed explanation of the process that was used to determine that there were no alternative facilities available. (See Finding new Space in Chapter 4.)
Provide such other information adn assurances as the Secretary fo DHHS may require.
  • Address the impact on non-federal share.
  • Address whether teh proposed facility will enhance collaboration with other service providers in such areas as child care and health.
  • Certify that the grantee understands that the regulatory provisions reguarding the Federal government's rights and responsibilities for properties bought in whole or in part with Federal funds will be applicable (see 45 CFR part 74, Subpart O and 45  CFR, Part 92.31).