To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Pamela Coleman, GCCARD Director
title
RE: Approval of a request to submit a Non-Federal Share Waiver to the Head Start Regional Office for 2024-2025
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
The Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD) requests authorization from this committee to submit a non-federal share waiver to the Head Start Regional Office for the 2024-2025 Genesee County Head Start/Early Head Start grant. This waiver is necessary to reduce the County's contribution by 52% from $3,319,815 to $1,593,511, 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) requires 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 include free space, maintenance, parent and community volunteers, helping in the classroom, on committees, etc. Donated and specially priced items and services may also be counted. Due to the large amount of funds for Head Start and Early Head Start expansion and economic conditions, HHS has made available a waiver for this requirement.
DISCUSSION:
Many services that Head Start once received without cost are now being charged to the Head Start budget. Also, fewer donated items and reduced parent and community volunteer numbers, due to people struggling with their own economic conditions, and COVID-19 have dwindled non-federal share match opportunities. Currently, the required non-federal share match for Genesee County Head Start funds is $3,319,815.00. Head Start is requesting a reduction of 52%, bringing the non-federal share match to 1,593,511.00.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
There will be no impact on Genesee County Human Resources.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The required non-federal share amount would be reduced from $3,319,815 to $1,593,511...
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