UCHRA Early Head Start Expansion On Hold

UCHRA’s Early Head Start Program will not be expanding this year after the organization did not get needed grant funding.

The agency applied for about $7 million of federal money to extend services to Morrison, Spencer and Sparta. Executive Director Mark Farley said UCHRA’s request was too large compared to the total available funding.

“What we will probably do is go back, and we’ll divide up,” Farley said. “We will probably start in Warren County, maybe in Van Buren County, and instead of putting together one large application, we may come back and put together maybe two or three. But, that’s going to be up to whenever the funding notice comes out. It may be another year before that is available again.”

Farley said White County could be left out of the next application since a new daycare facility is coming to Sparta. Farley said the agency still looks to build one new facility in Morrison and buy and renovate a building in Spencer.

“Obviously, we have done a lot of ground work for those three locations,” Farley said. “We will definitely probably go after the Morrison. We feel like it’s our strongest application. Van Buren will be the next since we already have a head start operation there. White County we will have to reevaluate and see.”

The Early Head Start Program program offers free day care services for ages three and younger. The 9,350 square foot Morrison center would be located south of McMinnville near the Beacon Light Apartments. The location was chosen due to the apartments housing a high amount of low income migrant families.

In Spencer, the agency is looking at a 3,000 square foot building to renovate near Van Buren High School. The current Van Buren Head Start Center will serve as the headquarters.

The grant funding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services. About 150 organizations applied with about 60 being awarded.