Boulder County Head Start staff reported to the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 19 that the program returned to school with a nearly full roster and full staffing. Akanya O’Grand, Division Manager for Boulder County Head Start, said teachers and leadership positions are filled and enrollment stood at 109 of 110 slots with an additional enrollment in progress.

Why it matters: Head Start is an early education and family-support program that serves low-income families. Full staffing and near-capacity enrollment indicate restored operational capacity ahead of the school year.

What staff described: O’Grand summarized staff pre-service professional development that included the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) framework, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), the Pyramid Model for social-emotional development, and TS Gold—an observational child-assessment system. Staff said these trainings were designed to align classroom practice with school-readiness goals, improve cultural and linguistic responsiveness, and promote positive social-emotional supports.

Commissioner reaction: Commissioners thanked Head Start leadership for the preparatory work and noted the program’s success at filling slots and positions. Staff noted that regional specialists supported preservice and that ongoing monthly coaching will continue during the 2025–26 program year.

Next steps: Staff will continue monthly systems and coaching supports for education, health and family services teams, and report back on enrollment and program monitoring during regular reports to the board.