Tips to Help You Stretch Your Head Start Budget As federal budget cuts overwhelm Head Start programs from coast to coast, it can become essential for administrators to look for new ways to reduce supply costs in order to stretch their annual budget. While the primary goal of these programs is to provide education, medical and nutritional services to children and families living below the poverty line, it can be a full time job for administrators to figure out how to keep their costs under control. It is possible to reduce the costs associated with an annual Head Start budget without cutting essential services, supplies and programs for the children...

How Has the Government Shutdown Affected Head Start Programs? The Head Start Program is a federally funded program that provides school preparation training for children ages six and under who live in low-income families. In addition to preparing children for grade school, Head Start also provides important services relating to cognitive development, nutrition and health to underprivileged children living in poverty. Head Start Closures Nationwide The 2013 Government Shutdown forced Head Start programs nationwide to shut down after funds required to run this important service became unavailable. Head Start Programs located in the states of Alabama, Connecticut, Florida and Mississippi have closed as a direct result of the shutdown, leaving...

  How to Reduce Waste to Help Lower Your Head Start Food Budget One of the ways that Head Start administrators can save money on their budget and lower food costs is to focus on figuring out new ways to reduce food waste. By implementing specific waste minimization practices, program administrators can lower their overhead expenses and reduce waste disposal costs, while still providing proper nutrition for their students. Studies show that by implementing the policies below to reduce food waste, it is possible to lower food costs by as much as 40-60 percent. In addition to making smarter purchases by using an outsourced program, such as Food Source Plus,...

Good News for Head Start Programs Despite Cuts in Federal Funding Head Start programs in America have been on the wrong end of budget cuts in recent months. It started with sequestration, which resulted in cuts to Head Start program that went into effect in March of this year, following across-the-board reductions to government funded programs. The government shutdown did little to help the already struggling program by stalling grants that were due to have been issued to Head Start to keep it afloat on October 1st. Angel Investors Fortunately for 7,200 children who depend on the Head Start program for meals, medical screenings and preschool training, a couple from...