CONCERNS TO THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR. IT’S NEW AT FIVE. WELL, THERE WERE 32 HEAD START PROGRAMS ACROSS OKLAHOMA CITY, BUT THAT NUMBER HAS CHANGED TO 21 FOR ISSUES OF FUNDING. AND LOW ENROLLMENT. THE DIRECTOR OF HEAD START TELLS ME THEY’RE LOOKING TO BRING THESE PROGRAMS BACK TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. IT HURTS RIGHT NOW, BUT THE IDEA IS THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS BETTER. HEAD START IS A FREE, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SCHOOL READINESS FOR 3 TO 5 YEAR OLDS. THESE 11 HEAD START PROGRAMS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY ARE CLOSING THEIR DOORS, THE HEAD START DIRECTOR TELLING ME IT’S BECAUSE OF LOW ENROLLMENT FUNDING AND NOT ENOUGH STAFF. YOU DON’T JUST CLOSE CENTERS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 50 OR 60 YEARS. YOU DON’T JUST DO THAT LIGHTLY AND YOU DON’T DO THAT WITHOUT. THE DIRE OF CIRCUMSTANCES. OR IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER OPTION. KENDRA IS A METRO MOM WHO TELLS ME SHE CURRENTLY UTILIZES THE HEAD START PROGRAM AND SAYS WHILE HER CENTER ISN’T CLOSING, SHE FEELS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED AND THESE FAMILIES ARE NEEDING THESE PROGRAMS. THERE’S A NEED FOR THESE CENTERS IN THE AREAS THAT THEY’RE IN. WE FIRST REPORTED TO YOU WEDNESDAY THE MINUTES LAKEVIEW RECREATION CENTER WAS ADDING IN A HEAD START PROGRAM RUN. BY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY RESIDENTS THERE QUESTIONED WHY ADD IT HERE, WHERE OTHERS ARE CLOSING. IT IS AN INTERESTING QUESTION WHY ARE WE CLOSING THESE SITES AND OPENING OUT OVER HERE? WE HAVE HAD A LONG STANDING COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION OVER THERE THAT HAS WORKED WITH FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR FEAR WAS THAT IF THAT BUILDING GETS CLOSED BY PARKS AND REC COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION, CAN’T THEY DON’T HAVE THE FUNDING TO KEEP THAT BUILDING OPERATIONAL ON THEIR OWN, THE HEAD START DIRECTOR TELLS ME THEY’RE LOOKING TO FILE A GRANT AT THE END OF THE MONTH TO HOPEFULLY ADD MORE SITES IN THE COUNTY, ALONG WITH THAT ONE LOWER NORTHEAST SIDE. WE WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU. WE WANT TO COME BACK. WE WANT TO STRENGTHEN THE BUILDING, STRENGTHEN. THOSE RELATIONSHIPS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, IT’S FALLING BACK ON THE PARENTS. IT’S LIKE, OKAY, SO WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO NOW? BECAUSE YOU HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO DO THIS, YOU KNOW, THAT DOESN’T THAT DOESN’T COME ACROSS WELL TO THE COMMUNITY
Director responds to concerns over vital daycare service closures
The director of a free, federally funded daycare program says he is looking for more funding to open centers after recent closures
After residents raised concerns about a daycare service program coming to their Oklahoma City recreation center, the program’s director says he’s looking to increase funding and to expand the program after closures across the metro.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.At one point, there were 32 Head Start programs across Oklahoma City; but now, they’ll total just 21. The federally funded program, which is free for residents, is designed to promote school readiness for 3- to 5-year-olds.Program Director Curtiss Mays said the drop can be attributed to a number of problems, including funding, staffing and low enrollment.“It hurts right now, but the idea is that we can make this better,” Mays said. “You don’t just close centers that have been around for 50 or 60 years. You don’t just do that lightly. You don’t do that without the dire circumstances or if there was any other options.”Resident Kendra Burkhalter said she utilizes the program. While the center her family uses isn’t closing, she feels for the families who rely on the program and how they will be affected. “These families are needing these programs,” Burkhalter said. “There’s a need for these centers in the areas they’re in. When you look at it, it’s falling back on the parents. It’s like, ‘OK, well, what are we supposed to do now because you have made the decision to do this?’ That doesn’t come across well to the community.”Concerns were reported Wednesday after it came to light that the Minnis Lakeview Recreation Center was adding a Head Start program, which would be run by the Community Action Agency. Residents questioned why the program was being added there while closures were happening across the city.>> Download the KOCO 5 AppMays said they’re looking to file a grant at the end of the month, with the hope of adding back program sites across the county.“Lower northeast side, we want to come back to you. We want to come back. We want to strengthen the buildings, strengthen those relationships,” Mays said.Top Headlines 2 dead after rollover crash on I-240 in Oklahoma City, OHP says More than 380 Oklahoma County residents on daily eviction court docket OHP: Ponca City man killed after truck leaves road, strikes tree Strong winds topple stage at a campaign rally in northern Mexico, killing at least 9 people
After residents raised concerns about a daycare service program coming to their Oklahoma City recreation center, the program’s director says he’s looking to increase funding and to expand the program after closures across the metro.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
At one point, there were 32 Head Start programs across Oklahoma City; but now, they’ll total just 21. The federally funded program, which is free for residents, is designed to promote school readiness for 3- to 5-year-olds.
Program Director Curtiss Mays said the drop can be attributed to a number of problems, including funding, staffing and low enrollment.
“It hurts right now, but the idea is that we can make this better,” Mays said. “You don’t just close centers that have been around for 50 or 60 years. You don’t just do that lightly. You don’t do that without the dire circumstances or if there was any other options.”
Resident Kendra Burkhalter said she utilizes the program. While the center her family uses isn’t closing, she feels for the families who rely on the program and how they will be affected.
“These families are needing these programs,” Burkhalter said. “There’s a need for these centers in the areas they’re in. When you look at it, it’s falling back on the parents. It’s like, ‘OK, well, what are we supposed to do now because you have made the decision to do this?’ That doesn’t come across well to the community.”
Concerns were reported Wednesday after it came to light that the Minnis Lakeview Recreation Center was adding a Head Start program, which would be run by the Community Action Agency. Residents questioned why the program was being added there while closures were happening across the city.
Mays said they’re looking to file a grant at the end of the month, with the hope of adding back program sites across the county.
“Lower northeast side, we want to come back to you. We want to come back. We want to strengthen the buildings, strengthen those relationships,” Mays said.
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