The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announce a funding opportunity for Act Early Ambassadors to work with CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” (LTSAE) program to improve early identification of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism, by:
- Promoting the adoption and sustained integration of family-engaged developmental monitoring using LTSAE milestone checklist resources in programs/systems that serve young children and their families/caregivers (e.g. WIC, home visiting, child welfare, early care and education, Federally Qualified Health Centers, etc.);
- Serving as a state, territorial, or tribal representative of CDC’s national LTSAE program; and
- Supporting the work of Act Early Teams and other state/territorial/tribal or national initiatives to improve early identification of developmental delays and disabilities and promote family-engaged developmental monitoring.
States and Territories Eligible for Funding
This is a one-year funding opportunity limited to individuals from the following states: Kentucky, Nevada, New York, North Dakota and for individuals representing tribal communities across any U.S. state or territory.
Timeline
RFA Release: July 1, 2026
Q&A Call: To be scheduled based on applicant interest
Application Deadline: July 31, 2026 at 5:00pm EDT
Act Early Ambassador Term: September 30, 2026-September 29, 2027
Annual Training: Date TBD
Questions/More Information
AAP Contact: Laura Murray | actearly@aap.org
CDC/NCBDDD Contact: Karnesha Slaughter | KSlaughter2@cdc.gov
Funding Opportunity Announcement