Okaloosa County BOCC — July 21, 2015 — Okaloosa County Comprehensive Head Start Child Developement, INC.

Okaloosa County Comprehensive Head Start Child Development, Inc. 2018 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, Fl. 32547 Phone: 850.651.0645 Fax: 850.651.8593 May 28, 2015 John Hofstad, County Administrator 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd, Suite 400 Ft Walton Beach, FL 32547-1285 Dear Mr. Hofstad, My name is Debi Riley-Broadnax, Interim Executive Director for Okaloosa County Head Start. Our Head Start Program provides educational, nutritional, and social services for over 370 children from low-income families throughout Okaloosa County. Iam submitting this letter to request emergency funding from the Office of the Okaloosa County Commissioners in the amount of $40,000 in an effort to keep our program running through our fiscal year end, June 30, 2015. Each weekday at our eight county-wide centers, our Head Start children ages zero through five receive (entirely free of charge) six hours of federally approved curriculum-based learning designed to enhance their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development in preparation for public school. Each child also receives two nutritious meals and two snacks each day. Speech, language, hearing, vision and dental screenings are also available, free of charge. Head Start parents are offered parenting education, mental health services, nutrition education, and services to pregnant women. Last year our McGriff facility encountered a mold problem which ultimately cost us approximately $470,000 to resolve. Although we operate off of a fixed federal grant, we were able to absorb the vast majority of these unexpected costs through judicious spending and by applying for (and receiving) a couple of small grants. However, as the fiscal year end approaches, we are experiencing a shortfall, which, if not resolved, will require us to shut our doors prior to the end of the school year. This early school closing will place us “out of compliance” with our federal grant requirements, and will make it highly unlikely that our grant will be renewed next year. Shutting our doors will not only affect our 370+ children and their families, but it also impacts our 75+ employees, their families, and our entire community at large. We have been approved for a line of credit through a local bank; however, we want to be cautious regarding our borrowing, since federal regulations do not allow us to use future grant funding to repay prior year loans. Unfortunately, without your help, we will have difticulty purchasing school food and supplies, paying our upcoming rent and utility bills, and making payroll through the end of our fiscal year. The future of Okaloosa County’s Head Start program is at stake. Your gift of $40,000 will help cover our program costs and represents the final boost we need to get us through. Your consideration in this matter is sincerely appreciated. j@@ (}~ /({ju /gxtotg({,wop Debi Rlley-Broadnax MSW Interim Executive Director el fi‘ Okaloosa County Head Start 2018 Lewis Turner Blvd., Ste B Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 M. doho Hofstoct