Board accepts Head Start monthly update and approves carryover application, planning calendar and self‑assessment

The Board of Supervisors on Oct. 21 accepted the county Employment and Human Services Department’s monthly Head Start update, approved submission of a federal carryover application, adopted the 2025‑26 Head Start planning calendar and accepted the fiscal year 2024‑25 Head Start self‑assessment.

Program summary and federal context: Employment and Human Services Director Marla Stewart and Community Services Bureau interim director MJ Robb briefed the board on enrollment, nutrition and federal regulatory developments. The county reported it reached 100% enrollment in September for federally funded Head Start slots after concentrated outreach and a full‑enrollment push; attendance improved from 79% in August to 83% in September. The program serves roughly 1,700 children across direct and partner sites.

Monitoring, risk and federal policy: staff reported no reportable health‑and‑safety incidents since June and described recent Office of Head Start (OHS) guidance and monitoring changes; OHS has signaled faster response to mandatory incident reporting and issued new monitoring guidance for FY 2026. Staff also described federal‑level changes under the Administration for Children and Families, including a strategic alignment memo that stated, among other things, that ACF will not fund programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion ideology to the extent permitted by law — an item staff flagged as affecting prior Head Start DEI work — and a continuing but currently enjoined federal rulemaking effort concerning eligibility and immigration status. County staff said they continue not to collect immigration status for Head Start eligibility absent federal instruction.

Carryover funds and budget items: staff requested and the board authorized submittal of an application to carry over approximately $400,998,061 (as reported by staff) from the fiscal year 2024‑25 Head Start budget into the current budget period to complete ongoing projects including facilities improvements (e.g., George Miller Concord Center stabilization) and upgrades to center security cameras, finish purchases and support strategies to retain staff and maintain full enrollment. The board also approved the Head Start planning calendar and accepted the program’s annual self‑assessment, which showed no findings requiring corrective action.

Why it matters: Head Start provides early childhood education and family services for low‑income families; the county operates both directly run and partner sites and relies on federal and state funding and program monitoring. The board’s approval preserves program continuity while staff pursue grants and complete remaining program improvements and monitoring preparations.

Ending: staff will carry out the program improvements, continue to monitor enrollment and attendance and prepare for OHS monitoring activity; the board asked staff to return with updates as grant or federal guidance evolves.