Ohio's Birth-Kindergarten Entry Comprehensive Literacy State Development Subgrant

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce received a five-year Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Education in September 2024. The grant extends through September 30, 2029, and requires the Department to subgrant at least 95 percent of the award to eligible entities serving children from birth through grade 12. For the Birth to Kindergarten Entry age-band, the Department will subgrant 15 percent of the funds to support early literacy initiatives aimed at advancing emergent literacy achievement and readiness for later reading and writing success. Approximately 9.85 million dollars has been designated for this component of the grant, with a focus on improving outcomes for children in early childhood programs across Ohio. The Birth to Kindergarten Entry Comprehensive Literacy State Development subgrant seeks to support literacy implementation sites in early childhood education and prekindergarten programs statewide. These sites will align their work with Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement and implement practices consistent with the science of reading. The subgrant is structured as a 44-month award with activities that include professional learning for educators, developing leadership, improving assessment and intervention processes, enhancing family engagement, and fostering community partnerships. Goals include improved achievement on the Preschool Early Literacy Indicators, implementation of evidence-based instructional practices, and measurable improvement for children with disabilities. Eligible applicants include early childhood education programs serving low-income or disadvantaged children with a Silver or Gold Step Up to Quality rating, or programs partnered with nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated effectiveness in improving literacy achievement or providing professional development in literacy instruction. Local education agencies operating eligible programs may also apply. Applicants may apply individually or in partnerships but may not participate in more than one application. Each subgrantee must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier from SAM.gov and an Information Retrieval Number from the Department to access funds. Subgrantees must commit to a series of requirements including leadership participation in Department-led training networks, sustained curriculum-based professional learning, family engagement initiatives, and the development of community partnerships with a library, institute of higher education, or nonprofit organization. Professional learning must be aligned with approved high-quality instructional materials, and assessments such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 and the Preschool Early Literacy Indicators must be administered and reported multiple times annually. Subgrantees must also maintain a Local Literacy Plan, participate in technical assistance networks, and submit annual progress reports and data. The subgrant application opens October 8, 2025, in the Department’s One Funding Application system and closes on October 29, 2025, at 4:59 p.m. Applicants may optionally submit a Notice of Intent to Apply by October 8, 2025. Technical assistance includes webinars on September 26, 2025, and office hours on October 10 and October 26, 2025. The review process will include technical review, scoring by literacy experts, and finalist interviews held December 15–19, 2025. Awards will be announced January 5, 2026, with subgrant activities beginning January 14, 2026, and continuing through September 30, 2029. Awards will range from 200,000 to 600,000 dollars, with an average award of 500,000 dollars. Approximately 16 subgrants are expected to be made, distributed annually over four years. Funding must be used to supplement, not supplant, existing non-federal funds. Unallowable costs include salaries for direct instruction, construction, capital expenses, recurring operational costs, and non-educational promotional items. Subgrantees must comply with federal regulations, including the Uniform Administrative Requirements, and may be subject to audits, monitoring, and corrective action plans. The Department reserves the right to reduce or terminate awards if requirements are not met or if funds are misused.

Applicants should align with Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement, demonstrate readiness, and include strong community partnerships. The Department provides webinars and office hours as guidance.