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Durham commissioners approve letter asking North Carolina congressional delegation to protect Head Start funding
Summary
Durham County commissioners approved a consent-item letter asking federal lawmakers to preserve Head Start funding, with county and state advocates saying cuts would affect thousands of families and the local economy.
Durham County commissioners on April 20 approved, as part of the consent agenda, a county letter urging North Carolina’s congressional delegation to preserve federal Head Start funding.
The letter — presented to the board by local Head Start advocates and Terry David, identified in remarks as president of the North Carolina Head Start Association — asks members of Congress to maintain federal support for the program that serves pre-birth through age 5. David told the board Durham receives about $16 million from the Office of Head Start to serve children and families.
“Many single moms are not able to go to work without childcare,” David said. “This is a pre-birth through 5-year-old program that supports our community.”
Commissioner Jillian Jacobs (first reference used as displayed in the transcript: Commissioner Jacobs) said the funding is at risk and urged residents to contact senators and representatives. “This is a real crisis right now,” she said, and asked that the letter be sent to North Carolina’s delegation with county letterhead and the board’s signatures.
Board members approved the overall consent agenda, which included the Head Start letter, by voice vote. The consent motion was moved by Commissioner Jacobs and seconded by Commissioner Valentine; the board approved the consent agenda unanimously.
Why it matters: county officials said Head Start classrooms are a core part of Durham’s early-childhood system and of the county’s Durham Pre-K partnership. Board speakers said losing federal funding could reduce access for hundreds of local children and affect parents’ ability to work.
The board did not take additional formal actions on Head Start funding beyond approving the letter and directing staff to transmit it to the delegation.
