The Regional Planning Commission approved a change of scope to reduce Head Start funded enrollments in Vermilion County and close one center, RPC staff told the commission.

Brandy, Head Start manager for RPC, told commissioners long-term staffing shortages in Vermilion County left a center under-enrolled and that rent increases made the current arrangement unsustainable. “We are decreasing the head start portion or the head start enrollment by a 117 enrollments,” Brandy said. A portion of those slots will be moved into Early Head Start to expand infant–toddler and pregnant-mother services in the area, she said.

RPC staff said they had sought to recruit qualified teachers, including outreach across the Indiana border, but had not been successful. To maintain services, staff described partnerships with the Vermilion County Housing Authority (which offered donated space at two centers), a local child-care provider at Roselawn Center in Danville, and Danville Area Community College’s child development center.

Brandy said enrollment currently concentrated at a nearby Kimball Center (described as a federal-interest, rent-free building) and that families from the closing site could be served at that location or through home-based services and partner centers. She also noted most preschool-age children in parts of the county are attending a new “Preschool for All” site operated by the local school district.

A commissioner asked what families would do if they lacked transportation; Brandy said the housing-authority and partner sites would allow wraparound services and emphasized the plan would not cause staff layoffs. She also said state Smart Start grant rules currently limit some collaborations with family child-care providers.

Commissioner Locke moved to approve the change of scope and Commissioner Page seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.

Staff will submit the change-of-scope request to align funded enrollments and maintain the current budget while shifting services toward Early Head Start and partner sites. The commission also discussed the need to continue cultivating local staff through partnerships with adult education programs to grow the early-childhood workforce locally.