Congressman Cleaver Calls on Administration to Renew Grant Funding for Head Start Programs in Western Missouri
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) called on the administration to immediately renew grant funding obligated for Head Start programs in Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties in western Missouri. While Head Start programs have operated as normal during the federal shutdown, the grant recipient, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), has not yet received the necessary Notice of Award to continue grant funding after October 31. The Health and Human Services Department (HHS), which oversees Head Start, has also experienced numerous staffing cuts since the start of the year, as well as a recent effort to fire almost 1,000 employees at HHS, including almost 50 at the Administration of Children and Families.
“I am writing today regarding the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), a current grant recipient and administrator of funds for the Head Start program in the 5th Congressional District. I have serious and urgent concern regarding the lapse in the Notification of Award for the upcoming program period,” Congressman Cleaver wrote. “Without this notice, MARC cannot incur any expenses for Head Start after October 31, unless there is certainty of reimbursement.”
“This means that over 2300 children enrolled in Head Start programs in the three-county area will be without funding and services on November 1. It also jeopardizes staff retention, family engagement and the developmental support that is provided to children enrolled in Head Start programs,” Congressman Cleaver continued.
“I am respectfully requesting clarification on the status of Notification of Award and any available guidance for MARC regarding next steps in the grant award notification process. I greatly appreciate your attention to this matter and your continued support of early childhood programs that serve some of the 5th Congressional District’s most vulnerable residents,” Congressman Cleaver concluded.
In Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, Head Start serves more than 2,300 children and employs 500 people. The program also enables the employment of parents by providing free/low-cost childcare, prenatal care for expecting mothers, and in-home services. Among Kansas City’s Head Start parents, 1,351 are employed, 169 are in training programs, and 168 are enrolled in school.
Earlier this year, Congressman Cleaver condemned the proposed cuts to the Head Start program and called on the administration to protect Head Start funding, which has served nearly 40 million children since its start in 1965.
The official letter from Congressman Cleaver is available here.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.