Laramie Head Start warns of funding cliff as council hears public comment

Joe Carroll, chairman of the Laramie Child Development Corporation (Laramie Head Start), told the Laramie City Council during public comment that the program’s federal grant will expire Oct. 31 and “55 children will no longer be received 2 meals a day and full day preschool services.”

Carroll, who identified himself as chair of Laramie Head Start, said 16 children on individual education plans could lose required therapy provided in an inclusionary preschool setting, 21 full- and part-time employees face dismissal, and many parents’ ability to work would be affected without preschool childcare services. He also said Head Start contributes about 80% of the Lincoln Community Center’s budget.

Why it matters: Head Start provides meals, early-education and mandated therapy services for children with Individualized Education Programs; a sudden funding lapse could disrupt services for enrolled children, reduce community childcare capacity and place household and nonprofit budgets under strain.

Council members and community partners responded immediately. A representative said the Wyoming Community Foundation and Wyoming Women’s Foundation have begun discussions on whether the foundations can provide short-term support. Councilor Bolling noted that Westside residents were organizing a new food pantry at the Lincoln Center in response to the funding threat. City councilors and staff encouraged Carroll to share formal notices and documentation of the grant timeline so the city and local nonprofits can coordinate follow-up.

What’s next: No formal council action or vote was recorded in the transcript. Council members and local foundation representatives offered to continue outreach and investigate available emergency funding sources and other community responses; staff and community members asked Carroll to provide documentation so they can pursue concrete steps.