Local nonprofits seek Head Start funding and community‑center support; board hears requests

Two community organizations spoke during the public‑expression portion of the April 16 meeting seeking local support for services.

Tammy Mullins, executive director of KidCentral Incorporated, said the organization is preparing a Head Start application to provide comprehensive early‑childhood services for approximately 46–47 families in Lee County and would need to staff about 10–12 positions to run a center. Mullins said services would be free for eligible families and that some families automatically qualify if they receive TANF, SNAP, SSI or are foster families; she and Terry Gentry, listed in the packet as assistant director, said they are identifying a building and asked for support and engagement from the county.

Later, a representative identified in the transcript as Wade Wilson described operations at the White Rocks Community Center, listing recurring costs (water ~ $700/year, electricity ~$1,680/year, internet ~$540/year, insurance previously ~$1,300–$1,367/year) and said pre‑pandemic fundraising has not returned. He said the center had received $2,500 in the current budget year and requested additional support to cover a roughly $5,600 annual shortfall. Board members noted the $2,500 allotment has been budgeted and said the matter could be considered further.

What happens next: KidCentral and community centers were given an opportunity to supply additional documentation; board members asked follow‑up questions about facility availability and eligibility. No formal county funding commitments beyond existing budgeted allotments were recorded during the meeting.