Head Start Has A Long Waiting List In Idaho Director Proposes An Advisory Board To Give State A Bigger Role

Idaho is one of only nine states that puts no state money into Head Start, relying solely on the federal government to fund the popular program for underprivileged preschoolers.

That’s why Idaho serves only 21 percent of the youngsters eligible for the program, Kathryn Pavesic, executive director of the Idaho Head Start Association, told the Senate Education Committee on Thursday.

Pavesic proposed legislation to set up an advisory board to the state Board of Education for Head Start, thus giving the state a role in the program. She said she’d like to see the state add $1.2 million to Head Start to allow more children to be served, but acknowledging Idaho’s tight budget, she left that out of her legislative proposal.

Senators noted that a similar bill was passed by the Legislature last year but was vetoed by Gov. Phil Batt. In his veto message, Batt said it would be premature to enact such legislation without state funding.

Pavesic said there are increasing signs the federal government may turn Head Start into a block grant, which would force states to take over operation of the program. Idaho would do well to have a system in place so it can accept a block grant, she said.

Hundreds of Idaho children are on waiting lists for Head Start, which provides education and health services for low-income 4-year-olds and their families.

The committee agreed to introduce the bill, which means a full committee hearing will be scheduled in coming weeks.

“It’s an important program,” said Sen. Laird Noh, R-Kimberly.

Sen. John Andreason, R-Boise, added, “I would not want to miss out on the possibility of a block grant if one were forthcoming.”

, DataTimes