To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: CSB - 38-126-0 Head Start and Early Head Start Policy Council Bylaws Approval
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE Amended Bylaws of the Contra Costa County Head Start and Early Head Start Policy Council, as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
The Employment and Human Services Department’s Head Start and Early Head Start Policy Council collaborates with the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and key management staff to develop, review, and approve planning functions, general procedures, and human resources related to the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The Board approved the current Bylaws on April 27, 2021, Item C.73. This action is to approve the Bylaw amendments recommended and approved by the County Counsel on October 23, 2025, and anticipated to be approved by the Head Start and Early Head Start Policy Council subcommittee on November 19, 2025. The Bylaw amendments are as follows:
1. (Page 3), Section IV, A: Changed the number of member seats to twenty-six (26) from thirty-six (36) to align with the County’s current childcare slots of 1,201, which requires one (1) seat for every sixty (60) slots plus six (6) seats for community and past parent representatives.
2. (Page 7), Section VI: Changed number of subcommittees to four (4) from six (6) to decrease the number of monthly meetings, which will encourage greater parent participation.
3. (Page 7), Section VII, A: Added the word “meetings” to agendas, which will be published 96 hours in advance, B: Added the phrase “and the public” to receiving 24-hour notice of special meetings, C: Changed the percentage to 51% from 40%, removed the word “vacant” and the following statement has been added “A quorum exists when fifty-one percent (51%) of members are present.” This ensures that quorum can be reached.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This agreement supports one (1), three (3), four (4) and five (5) of the Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children's Report Card: (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (3)"Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families,” by supporting staff working directly with families and children.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the proposed action not be approved by the Board of Supervisors, the Head Start and Early Head Start Bylaws would not be amended to provide greater clarity to Head Start functions.