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Head Start monthly update: recruitment, new vended meals contract and school‑readiness gains reported
Summary
County staff reported on Head Start and early‑childhood programs, highlighting ongoing recruitment for vacant slots, pilot launches for a vended meal contract with ORDO/Urban Organics, DRDP assessment results showing gains across age groups, and federal/state funding updates. The board accepted the report.
The board received a monthly update Sept. 16 from the Employment and Human Services Department on Head Start and county early‑childhood services.
Director Marla Stewart and staff reported the program served about 3,700 children in July across center‑based and voucher programs but continues active recruitment to fill roughly 138 vacant center slots. Summer months typically show lower enrollment; staff said they mailed recruitment flyers to CalFresh and CalWORKs recipients, staffed outreach tables and conducted community outreach to boost enrollments.
The department reported progress on its new vended meal service contract with ORDO (Urban Organics kitchen in Lafayette). Pilots ran in mid‑August and a second pilot on Sept. 4; full launch is underway. Staff said contracted meals meet state and federal child nutrition standards and that the shift supports kitchen consolidation and operational continuity as the program transitions away from in‑house meal production.
School‑readiness outcomes, measured with the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), showed gains across age groups. Infants and toddlers exceeded year‑end goals in all domains; preschool and pre‑K groups showed strong growth with some domains narrowly under target. Staff cited three reasons for shortfalls in those domains: late‑year enrollments that limited assessment time, higher proportions of children awaiting mental‑health or disability services, and onboarding of newer teachers who will receive additional training and assessment support.
Staff also reported monitoring results, facility alarm repairs in several centers, routine licensing work and a recent application for supplemental Head Start nutrition funding. The board voted to accept the monthly update by roll call (5–0).
