Head Start reports full federal-slot enrollment; county confirms program continuity amid shutdown impacts

Marla Stewart, director of the Employment & Human Services Department, briefed the Board on the county's Head Start programs and federal- and state-funded early education activities.

Stewart reported that Head Start reached 100% enrollment in October for federal slots (sixth consecutive month) and that the program is carrying out its annual self-assessment (the FY 25–26 self-assessment is taking place Nov. 10–26). Stewart said the county did not experience a funding drawdown delay during the recent federal government shutdown, although some administrative activities (carryover applications and program specialist meetings) were postponed during the shutdown.

Stewart also summarized monitoring results through September: center-level health-and-safety indicators showed very high compliance (98% of indicators compliant in the center-level monitoring period), content-area monitoring remained above 90% in most tools, and file review scores were ~87%. She described proposed Policy Council bylaw changes (e.g., number of seats reduced to 26, fewer subcommittees, clarified agenda publication rules, quorum set at 51%) and said those changes will go to the Policy Council for approval.

Stewart emphasized that Head Start continues not to check citizenship status at enrollment despite litigation elsewhere attempting to impose citizenship eligibility requirements; the county is monitoring federal litigation on the matter.

The board voted to accept the monthly Head Start update unanimously.