To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Pamela Coleman, GCCARD Director
title
RE: Approval of a request to submit the 2025-2026 Head Start Grant Application to the Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
The Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD) requests authorization from this committee to submit the Head Start Grant Application for the 2025-2026 school year in the amount of $15,713,491 ($14,284,992 federal, plus $1,428,499 non-federal) to the Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families (HHS/ACF), with a recommendation of approval by the full Genesee County Board of Commissioners at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
BACKGROUND:
This is the annual Head Start application to serve low-income families with children from birth to age five and pregnant individuals. The total proposed, funded Head Start enrollment in Genesee County for the 2025-2026 school year is 318 Head Start preschool, and 426 Early Head Start children. The GCCARD Head Start Grantee has been funded for both Head Start preschool and Early Head Start. The Beecher and Mott Delegates have been funded for Early Head Start.
DISCUSSION:
This funding provides services in classrooms, or “center-based,” and through home visiting, or “home-based.” Comprehensive services include health and oral health, nutrition, mental health, education, and family support services with the goal of preparing families and children for school success.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
There will be no impact on Genesee County Human Resources as Head Start staff are contracted through the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The complete federal award of this grant is $14,284,992.00. This is divided as follows: $5,405,152.00 Head Start Main Grant, $54,360 Head Start Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA), $8,658,865.00 Early Head Start Main Grant, and $166,615.00 Early Head Start T&TA. The requested non-federal share match is $1,428,499.00 (see attached waiver request). This match is generated through community partners and volunteer support in the form of classroom space, volunteer time, supplies, and vendor discounts specific to the program.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There will be no impact on Genesee County Facilities and Operations as Head Start space is leased.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
There will be no impact on Genesee County Information Technology.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This memorandum conforms to Genesee County’s priority of Community Growth and Healthy, Livable and Safe Communities and Long-Term Financial Stability ensuring the continuation of Head Start preschool and Early Head Start programming in Genesee County.
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 Director of the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD) to authorize submitting an application for the Head Start grant(s) to fund the Genesee County Head Start and Early Head Start programs for the 2025-2026 school year from The Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families in the amount of $15,713,491.00 ($14,284,992.00 federal award, plus $1,428,499.00 non-federal share), is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the March 19, 2025 meeting of the Human Services Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute any necessary documents on behalf of Genesee County.