Head Start Division

Utilization of ARRA Funds for Educational Reimbursement

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ARRA Request Timeline• Origination date /Notification of projected

monies to be issued by Congress April, 2009• Budget narrative developed and submitted

June 30, 2009• Original Award letter received after the 16th of

July 2009• Head Start Region IV restricted $212K of

proposal – Head Start had identified these funds for

bonuses and staff increases.

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Timeline (cont.)• February 2010 – second proposal request for

restricted ARRA funds was made to Head Start Region IV.

• February 2010 - September 2010 numerous proposals discussed.

• September 24, 2010 reached verbal agreement on a new plan for the restricted funds along with a no-cost extension.

• After much delay, written approval was received April 21, 2011, all funds must be encumbered prior to May 31, 2011.

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The Proposal• The proposal had to have a Head Start

staff benefit.– Educational assistance program for staff

needing to meet qualification standards.– Professional Development– Staff training – Early Childhood

development / education related– Out of county travel

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Educational Reimbursement

• Early Childhood Education degrees

• Over & above Orange County’s tuition reimbursement plan

• Assists employees with meeting Head Start mandate for 2011 & 2013.

• Coursework verified– Audited

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Requested action

• Approval to use the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant funds to provide educational reimbursement in the amount of $39,933 for Head Start teachers and a field operation supervisor that completed pre-approved coursework in Early Childhood Education during the period from July 1, 2009 through May 31, 2011 .