Head Start program to remain under Washtenaw County's wing
Washtenaw County will continue to fund to the Head Start program through August 2013.
The program, which provides early childhood education for more than 500 children in low-income families in the county, was in jeopardy of transitioning to the control of a non-profit organization in July.
After the Board of Commissioners decided to cut funding for the program as a part of its two-year budget plan for 2012 and 2013, it was up to a federal agency to submit a request for proposals to find a new administrator for the program - which has yet to happen.
The county administration decided to keep the program under its wing for the 2012-13 school year to avoid disrupting services.
“One transition is hard enough,” said Commissioner Yousef Rahbi.
Washtenaw County Administrator Verna McDaniel announced at the Wednesday meeting of the board that the program would remain under the county’s wing for the time being - with the county continuing providing a 25% local match to keep the services in place.
The majority of the funding for the program comes from the federal level. The county is seeking a waiver of the local match for the program.
Cassandra Sheriff, interim programs director for Head Start, declined to comment to AnnArbor.com on the board’s decision.
After the 2012-13 school year, Head Start will transition to a new administrative agency chosen by the federal government in the request for proposals process.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Sun, May 6, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
I guess the County Commissioners' vote earlier this year to discontinue the Head Start Program without first having a plan in place as to how to transition the program to WISD or another grantee was a bad idea after all...!
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Sun, May 6, 2012 : 11:51 a.m.
@IIspier made an excellent comment to Basic Bob's comment above that is well worth reading. To illustrate @IIspier's point, my wife and I send our son to the Triangle Pre-School Cooperative and because of the involvement of all the parents who split up and do all the jobs except teaching among themselves in support of the single teacher, the tuition cost is under $600 a year. The cooperative model is well worth copying more widely.
Basic Bob
Sat, May 5, 2012 : 7:50 p.m.
"The county is seeking a waiver of the local match for the program" This makes no sense. We are wealthy, educated, and liberal, but won't pony up a minor share of a program to help children in poverty.
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Sun, May 6, 2012 : 11:50 a.m.
@IIspier made an excellent comment to Basic Bob's comment above that is well worth reading. To illustrate @IIspier's point, my wife and I send our son to the Triangle Pre-School Cooperative and because of the involvement of all the parents who split up and do all the jobs except teaching among themselves in support of the single teacher, the tuition cost is under $600 a year. The cooperative model is well worth copying more widely.
llspier
Sun, May 6, 2012 : 3:19 a.m.
Its even worse than that, Basic Bob: the 25% match has historically been an 'in-kind' match, not actual cash. I've never heard that this requirement has changed. That match is usually met-in communities far poorer than A2-by parent volunteer hours, partial rent donations from landlords, donations of services such as health and dental screenings, etc. Now, if Washtenaw County cant find 25% in-kind match, I have to wonder what the problem is! Parents are supposed to be volunteering in those classrooms-the value of Heat Start is likely more in the low-income parent learning better child development skills thru involvement than what the children learn in class. Why arent Early Childhood Ed students doing some assistant teacher work in those classrooms as a part of their graduation requirements? . In a community with as many universities, medical institutions and successful businesses, why cant Washtenaw County get a 25% match and much poorer communities can?? FedGov very seldom waives that match requirement except for extremely destitute communities as it's meant to show community commitment. Parent involvement obviously needs to become a priority-just like the legislation actually calls for. Somebody running that program doesnt know what they're doing! Read the regs, people!