Most Head Start centers reopen Tuesday

Federal government set Oct. 22 deadline for applications to take over grant

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than a thousand Head Start students in Jacksonville will begin classes on Tuesday, but a few of the local centers will not reopen and the federal government is talking applications for someone to permanently manage the program.

In April, the federal government suspended the Jacksonville Urban League's grant to run the pre-school program after finding several health and safety violations. Last month, Department of Health and Human Service permanently cancelled the Urban League's grant after it had run the local programs for 17 years.

Recommended Videos



Since then, a company called Community Development Institute, or CDI, has temporarily administered the local program.

Thirteen centers will still open Tuesday: Brentwood, Eighth Street, Grant Memorial, RF Kennedy, Grunthal, the Bridge, Fort Caroline, Little Angels, Anders, Hilltop, Normandy, Lee Road and Fairway Oaks.

A few other centers will open after Tuesday.

This year, seven local centers will not be reopening. They are: Old Stanton, Baldwin, Happyland, R.L. Wilson, Fairfield, Northeast Springfield and Moncrief.

CDI has called parents and sent out letters about where children will attend Head Start on Tuesday, as well as transportation logistics.

But if you have additional questions about where your child will go, you can call CDI at 904-721-9788.

HHS is talking applications for for organizations to take over the $14 million annual grant funding the program.  Applications are due Oct. 22.