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Head Start update: enrollment and attendance shortfalls, new meal vendor rollout and assessment results
Summary
County officials reported Head Start enrollment below federal corrective‑action targets, a phased launch of a vended meal contract with Urban Organics via Ordo, and mixed school‑readiness assessment results; the board accepted the monthly update unanimously.
Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department leaders told the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 that Head Start enrollment and attendance remain concerns while the department moves to implement a new vended meal contract and address developmental‑assessment gaps.
Marla Stewart, director of Employment and Human Services, said the county is on a six‑month enrollment corrective action plan that requires 97% enrollment in funded slots; July enrollment dipped to 89% and the department reported 138 vacant slots it is actively recruiting to fill. The department ran multiple recruitment efforts over the summer, including mailed flyers to CalFresh and CalWORKs recipients, outreach at community events and grocery stores, and additional phone and web outreach; calls to the…
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