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Supervisor Briggs recommending the Board authorize the Chairman's signature on a letter of support for the El Dorado County Office of Education's application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families for grant funding to provide Head Start and Early Head Start Programs to eligible children and families throughout the County of El Dorado.
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The El Dorado County Office of Education Head Start and Early Head Start Programs receive approximately $4.1 million in annual funding to provide services to over 500 low income children, ages birth to 5 years, and their families living throughout the County of El Dorado. The County Office of Education's Head Start Program has provided services to preschool aged children since 1970. The Early Head Start Program was funded in 1997 and provides services to expectant parents and young children from ages birth to 3 years old.
On January 17, 2013, the El Dorado County Office of Education was notified by the Administration for Children and Families that due to the newly enacted Designation Renewal System, funding allocated to provide the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs would be discontinued effective June 30, 2014. In order to continue these valuable programs, the El Dorado County Office of Education will need to recompete for this funding by submitting a grant application prior to October 22, 2013. Other qualifying agencies with connections in the County may also compete for this funding. As part of the application process, letters of support are needed from community representatives and agencies which support the El Dorado County Office of Education's efforts to continue the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.