To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Pamela Coleman, GCCARD Director
title
RE: Authorization of a Request to Submit a Non-Federal Share Waiver Request from the Head Start Regional Office for 2023-2024
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
The Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD) requests authorization from this committee to submit a non-federal share waiver request to the Head Start Regional Office for the 2023-2024 Genesee County Head Start/Early Head Start grant, said waiver being necessary to reduce the County’s contribution by 50% from $2,676,347.00 to $1,338,173.00, with a recommendation of approval by the full Genesee County Board of Commissioners at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ordinarily requests a $0.25 local match for every dollar given by the Federal Government to the Head Start Program. This match can be cash or services. Services such as free space, maintenance, parent and community volunteers, helping in the classroom, on committees, etc., as well as donated and specially priced items and services for Head Start can be counted. Due to an influx of funds for Head Start and Early Head Start expansion and economic conditions HHS has made available a waiver for this requirement.
DISCUSSION:
Genesee County Head Start is requesting this waiver. Many services that Head Start received without cost are now being charged to the Head Start budget. Also, fewer donated items, parent and community volunteers have been involved due to people struggling with their own economic conditions and COVID-19 has reduced non-federal share match opportunities. The required local match for the Genesee County Head Start grant money is $2,676,347.00. We are requesting to reduce it by 50% bringing our contribution to $1,338,173.00.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
No impact on Genesee County Human Resources as Head Start staff are contracted through the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA).
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The required non-federal share amount would be reduced from $2,676,347.00 to $1,338,173.00.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
This does not impact Genesee County facilities as Head Start space is leased.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
This does not impact Genesee County technology.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Submission of this waiver request will promote anti-poverty programming in alignment with Genesee County’s priority of Financial Stability, ensuring that Head Start and Early Head Start can continue to meet funding requirements, aiding as many Genesee County children and families, regardless of demographic as shown by our dedication to an Inclusive and Collaborative Culture.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Dir2024,r of the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (“GCCARD”) to authorize requesting a waiver for the 2023-2024 Genesee County Head Start/Early Head Start grant by 50%, said waiver being necessary to reduce the County’s contribution from $2,676,347.00 to $1,338,173.00, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the May 1, 2024 meeting of the Human Services Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the waiver on behalf of Genesee County.