Ex-preschool employee pleads guilty in naked punishments
February 1, 2022 GMTBELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A former southern Illinois preschool employee accused of punishing children by making them stand naked in a closet has pleaded guilty to four felony charges.
Judge blocks COVID vaccine mandate for Head Start program
January 2, 2022 GMTMONROE, La. (AP) — President Joe Biden cannot require teachers in the Head Start early education program to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a Louisiana federal judge ruled Saturday, handing a victory to 24 states that had sued the federal government.
Minot Head Start to fire 18% of staff over vaccine mandate
December 10, 2021 GMTMINOT, N.D. (AP) — The Minot Head Start program is preparing to fire 18% of its staff next month because they won't comply with a federal mandate to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Minot Daily News reported Friday that the program is entirely funded with federal dollars so teaches and staff must comply with the mandate by January.
Turmoil hits antipoverty group as report questions contracts
November 28, 2021 GMTBIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A poverty-fighting agency in Alabama's most populous county has lost its contract to run the county’s Head Start program for disadvantaged preschoolers and is telling local officials that it needs a $3 million cash infusion to avoid going broke after temporarily missing payroll.
Whitmer: Expand preschool to 22,000 4-year-olds in Michigan
June 8, 2021 GMTEAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday proposed expanding government-funded preschool to 22,000 eligible but unenrolled 4-year-olds in Michigan, saying too many cannot access an “incredible opportunity” because of inadequate funding.
Annual shoe giveaway brings smiles to Head Start students
December 14, 2018 GMTHARLINGEN — Ryan Barrera smiled when he found the shoes he liked with his favorite cartoon and flashing light soles.
Ryan, 4, was one of the 175 students who received a $20 gift certificate for shoes and socks from the Neighbors In Need of Services Inc.