CPS seeks Head Start funding model changes and $2.5M scholarship IGA with City Colleges

The CPS Office of Early Childhood presented three items the board will consider for approval: a new block grant funding model to administer Head Start funds through six grantee agencies, two intergovernmental agreements covering $49.7 million and $49.1 million respectively beginning July 1, 2026, and an intergovernmental agreement with City Colleges of Chicago for a $2.5 million scholarship to support early learning workforce credentials.

Leslie McKinley, chief officer of Early Childhood, said the revised funding model is intended to equitably distribute resources through existing Head Start grantees, reduce administrative burden for community‑based organizations and improve reporting and geographic alignment. She told the board the agreements would support approximately 7,000 children age birth to 5 through a network of 84 community based organizations.

Deputy Parker described the Chicago Early Learning Workforce Scholarship IGA to be routed directly to City Colleges, which will partner with institutions including UIC, National Louis and Roosevelt to distribute funds. The scholarship program has had about 1,200 applications and awarded 205 scholarships this year, with about 90% of recipients identifying as African American or Latinx, the presentation said.

Board questions focused on the ability to track outcomes, whether attendance and longitudinal student IDs are available, and whether scholarships prioritize bilingual or special-education endorsements. Early Childhood staff said child outcome and enrollment data are provided by DFSS and that community‑based students are assigned CPS ID numbers that allow later tracking in the district system. Staff also said the scholarship outreach is being refined and that they are exploring targeted supports for bilingual and special‑education certification slots.