To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Update on Head Start Programs and Oversight
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
CONSIDER accepting the monthly update on the activities and oversight of the County's Head Start Program; APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director to accept grant funding from U.S. Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families in the amount of $274,800 for the one-time supplemental nutrition grant; and provide guidance, as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
100% Federal funding all of which will be budgeted in FY26-27.
BACKGROUND:
Per Board Resolution No. 2023/274, the Board receives monthly updates on and provides guidance related to the activities of the Head Start program. This is the October 2026 update.
In addition, the Board approved applying for the one-time supplemental nutrition grant on June 23, 2026, as part of our monthly Head Start update. On September 13, 2026, the Office of Head Start notified us that we were awarded $274,800 for use in FY26-27.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The County will not be in compliance with Head Start program requirements, which may jeopardize funding and successful 2024-2029 grant implementation. The County will not receive the grant award for services, supplies, and equipment related to nutrition and healthy eating.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The services provided under this contract support all five of Contra Costa County's community outcomes: (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (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.”