Head Start program reports federal deficiency after four teacher incidents; county submits corrective actions and requests extension

Note: Because this is a matter involving children and personnel actions, the county’s presentation used precise incident summaries; the board’s report describes corrective steps and a pending federal review.

Contra Costa County’s report to the Board of Supervisors on May 20 said the Office of Head Start issued a deficiency notice after a risk assessment and review on April 24. Marla Stewart, director of the county Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), told the board the deficiency concerned "safety practices" and stemmed from four substantiated incidents involving staff actions toward children in the prior 12 months. Stewart said three incidents occurred at county‑operated sites and one at a partner site. In each case the county removed the staffers from classrooms during the investigations and…