The Willow Heights Head Start Center in Fayetteville and one classroom at West Washington County Head Start in Lincoln are being closed to cope with a mandatory $154,968 reduction under sequestration, according to a news release from the Economic Opportunity Agency in Springdale.
The agency's nine Head Start centers in Washington County serve more than 375 children, with more than 1,400 families applying each year for the program, according to the news release.
Full news release:
FAYETTEVILLE, AR, (June 25, 2013) – The EOA of Washington County Head Start program announced Tuesday that the agency’s Board of Directors and Policy Council approved the closure of the Willow Heights Head Start Center in Fayetteville and the closure of one (1) classroom at the West Washington County Head Start in Lincoln.
The measures were taken as a means to reduce enrollment numbers to account for the Head Start program’s $154,968 (5.27%) mandatory budget reduction for the 2013-2014 school year.
“The Fayetteville Housing Authority has been a wonderful community partner for many years, and this was a very difficult decision,” said EOA’s executive director, Mike Lanier. “This past school year, we had to close our programs down 13 days early, furlough staff and blend some positions in order to make the cuts required as a result of sequestration.”
Brenda Zedlitz, director of children’s services, said strategic planning with the Board of Directors and the Policy Council, which includes parent representatives, included a thorough review of 2013 Program Self-Assessment data and the 2013 Community Assessment data. They utilized the information to determine community needs and where the cuts would have the least negative impact.
“We know that parents depend on our Head Start programs and we have spent a great deal of time going over the data to ensure we are making the best decisions, given the difficult circumstances,” Zedlitz said.
About EOA Head Start/Early Head Start:
EOA Head Start of Washington County exists to provide and to promote a high-quality comprehensive child and family development program serving economically disadvantaged pregnant women and children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. The nine (9) EOA Head Start centers in Washington County currently serve more than 375 children, but more than 1,400 families apply each year for enrollment in the program.
The comprehensive approach to nurturing families addresses the issues of childcare, family literacy, alcohol and substance abuse, violence, adolescent and child health, and the multifaceted needs of families in a changing society. Partnering with parents in the education of their children is the primary focus of EOA Head Start of Washington County, while also seeking collaboration and partnerships with public, private, and the corporate sectors of the communities served.
EOA Head Start is administered by Economic Opportunity Agency, Inc. Since 1967, EOA Head Start/Early Head Start has helped more than 15,000 children and families in Washington County gain access to high-quality, developmentally-appropriate educational opportunities.