Head Start program to remain under Washtenaw County's wing

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.