County updates board on Head Start: federal scrutiny of childcare funding, monitoring results and vendor changes

Marla Stewart, director of Contra Costa’s Employment & Human Services Department, briefed the Board of Supervisors on the county’s Head Start and early‑childhood programs, highlighting federal and state developments, monitoring results and program operations.

Stewart summarized several federal actions: litigation that temporarily enjoined the Administration’s directive restricting use of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) language in Head Start materials; the Department of Health and Human Services’ "defend the spend" payment‑justification requirement; and a federal notice that identified California among five states under review for possible improper childcare fund payments. Stewart said the county has not been accused of fraud and continues standard monitoring of subcontractors and grantees.

Operationally, the county reported full enrollment in Head Start and Early Head Start for recent months and an attendance rate of 75% for November. Staff said monitoring visits covered many centers and files; federal reviewers called the county’s monitoring system a strength but staff expect a low‑level finding in one partner program for staff qualifications, which the county is addressing through corrective action plans.

Stewart also described contract and vendor issues: a food‑service vendor failed to deliver expected quality, prompting the county to include a contract termination on the consent calendar and move to a new provider effective February 1. The department estimated it will need roughly $3.2 million in additional funds to sustain current voucher payments and is coordinating with state partners.

What happens next: staff will continue federal and state reporting, complete corrective actions for partner agencies, and return to the board as needed on budget and program changes.