Some Families May Have Co-Pay Head Start Programs

Some Cleveland County Head Start families could soon pay a co-pay for certain programs due to reduced federal reimbursement, Director Laura Stanfield told the Cleveland County School Board Monday night. The funding cuts under the School Readiness Assistance Program will affect infant, toddler, and preschool services, with co-pays required for families above 40 percent of the State Median Income. Five students districtwide will be impacted. Reimbursement totals are expected to drop by more than $68,000 across programs, with the local Head Start program responsible for collecting roughly $6,375 in co-pays. The board also reinstated a fiscal consultant and approved TEACH program bonuses.