Head Start announced last week that $95 million in recovery aid is now available to providers who need to renovate, repair and, in some cases, rebuild learning centers that lay in Hurricane Sandy’s path of destruction.
Funds may also be used to temporarily boost program services to address the increased social, health and mental health needs of Head Start families impacted by Sandy.
“Head Start has always played a critical role in providing care, safety and essential resources to our most vulnerable children,” said Office of Head Start Director Yvette Sanchez-Fuentes. “In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, these children are even more vulnerable and the need for these services is even more critical.
The Office of Head Start at HHS’ Administration for Children and Families continues to work closely with grantees on comprehensive recovery plans. The grantees are also partnering with local, state and federal service providers to leverage existing services and expand where needed. The office will provide oversight to ensure these relief funds are spent appropriately and do not duplicate commercial/self-insurance proceeds or emergency funds obtained from other sources.
This announcement coincided with the April 15 release of President Obama’s fiscal year 2014 budget proposal that would boost Head Start and Early Head Start budget coffers to $9.6 billion — a 27-percent increase compared to the post-sequester FY 2013 budget. The National Head Start Association applauded the funding bump, which was meant to counteract a 5-percent sequester cut that took effect last month.
The National Education Association had estimated the federal sequestration would affect more than seven million low-income preschool students in Head Start programs as well as 49,365 school administrators, teachers and bus drivers.
Sanchez-Fuentes issued a memo March 1 to all Head Start agencies about the 5-percent budget cut. During an all-grantee phone call held the same day, an OHS spokeswoman confirmed that grantees would not be penalized with the threat of recompetition — which was more good news.
“Head Start has always had a shared commitment to the communities we serve and our dedication to our affected communities is even stronger,” added Sanchez-Fuentes. “Parents have told me that when they were finally able to use their phones after the storm, they were surprised to have messages from their local Head Start providers checking to make sure they were okay.”
