Stephanie Bailey

The meeting addressed the high-risk status placed on Head Start of San Joaquin by the Office of Head Start due to an ongoing fraud investigation concerning a previous educational partner, Creative Care, Inc., which ended in December 2024. It was announced that the refunding application was approved, resulting in a Notice of Award for Year 1 of the new five-year cycle beginning February 1, 2026. Discussions also included a Policy Council Member Highlight, the election of 2025-2026 officers (with one position deferred to the next meeting), a fiscal training session, and the presentation of fiscal reports showing data through November 2025. Furthermore, the body reviewed the 2025 Community Assessment Executive Summary for San Joaquin County ELC services, presented an overview of the 2025-2026 School Readiness Plan goals, and reviewed end-of-month enrollment reports through December 2025, noting enrollment levels for Early Head Start and Head Start programs, including services for children with disabilities. Finally, communication from the Office of Head Start regarding a preliminary injunction affecting certain DEIA-related actions was shared.

Key discussion points included program updates such as end-of-month enrollment reports showing 99% enrollment for Early Head Start and 87% for Head Start preschool, with the Change in Scope application awaiting final decision. Disability reports indicated 11.2% for EHS and 11.8% for HS preschool. Five Unusual Incident Reports (UIRs) were received, including incidents related to Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease, injuries (child and staff), and a power outage. An overview of the 2025-2026 Community Assessment was presented, detailing data collection and key focus areas. Communications from the Office of Head Start regarding a preliminary injunction affecting reductions in force and DEIA actions were shared. The fiscal report through November 30, 2025, was reviewed, noting no credit card purchases and detailing equipment purchases like vehicles and play structures pending Budget Revision approval. Updates on pending applications, including the Change in Scope approval in the Payment Management System and the pending 1303 Application for BFA, were provided. An update on the Year 1 Refunding Application confirmed it is on track for Office of Head Start approval.

The key discussion topics for this meeting include Program Updates covering End-of-Month Enrollment, Children with Disabilities Reports, Unusual Incident Reports (UIR) & Community Care Licensing (CCL) Visits, and an Improper Payment Study Review. The agenda also calls for reports from the Parent Policy Council and communications from the Office of Head Start. Fiscal matters to be addressed include the Monthly Financial Report, Year 5-Notice of Award Special Condition, and Year 1-Notice of Award, along with general Fiscal Updates. No items requiring immediate action were scheduled.

The meeting began with a welcome and a brief member highlight recognizing the Treasurer as the member of the month. Key agenda items included the election of 2025-2026 Policy Council Officers, where positions for Secretary (vacant) and Sergeant-at-Arms (Maira Benhumea) were addressed. Due to a lack of quorum, several items were informational only, including the tabled adoption of previous minutes. Fiscal reports through October 2025 were presented, and a budget revision request to repurpose unspent salary and fringe benefits funds was submitted for future action. Updates included a notice of award regarding the reduction in Early Head Start slots and an overview of the 2025-2026 Program Goals emphasizing high-quality, inclusive services. The annual self-assessment process overview was also shared. Discussions also covered the restructuring and goals of the Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee and provided enrollment updates through November 2025, showing 95% enrollment for Early Head Start and 85% for Head Start.

Key discussions included End-of-Month enrollment reports for November 28, 2025, showing 58% enrollment for Early Head Start (EHS) and 85% for Head Start (HS) preschool, alongside reports for children with disabilities (10.8% for EHS and 11.4% for HS preschool). The status of the 2025-2026 Self-Assessment Process was provided, along with updates on Unusual Incident Reports (UIR) and Community Care Licensing (CCL) visits, which included one Type A violation. Fiscal reports through October 31, 2025, were reviewed, detailing credit card purchases for storage units and conferences. The Notice of Award from the Office of Head Start (OHS) was presented, noting a reduction in EHS slots due to chronically underenrolled status, with funds to be reflected in the next year's budget. A major action item was the approval of the 2025-2026 Budget Revision, allocating approximately $2,100,000 in unobligated funds across various projects, including strategic planning, network equipment, playground structures, vehicles, and marketing costs.