FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Contact: Jane Norris
(202) 401-9215
Statement from Joan E. Ohl
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. --- HHS Commissioner of the Administration on Children,
Youth and Families, Joan E. Ohl, today made the following statement on the
opening of Head Start preschool center-based services under Community Development
Institute (CDI) serving as the interim grantee for Head Start children,
infants and toddlers in the San Fernando Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley.
“Tomorrow, Thursday, November 3, 2005, the Community Development Institute
(CDI) will open the majority of facilities that serve the Head Start children
in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. Of the 1,385 children in
these Head Start centers 1,084 (78%) will be returning to the classroom.
CDI has reached agreement with landlords on facility leases and checks for
the first month of rent have been tendered. CDI employees will begin contacting
parents to inform them of the Head Start Centers that will be open tomorrow.
Early Head Start home-based services will continue as usual.”
Facilities for the remaining 301 children are expected to resume operations
soon. Parents with children at these facilities will be contacted by CDI
with information about when classes will resume. CDI will update the toll-free
number (877) 888-3924 in English and Spanish to provide updates on the status
of Head Start Centers.”
CDI was appointed by ACF to serve as the interim grantee to provide services
beginning November 1, 2005.
Following is the list of the Head Start sites in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley, number of children served and status:
| Site
Name |
Number
of Children |
Status |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Avila | 95 |
Open |
| Blythe Street | 60 |
Open |
| Canoga Park | 58 |
Open |
| Guadalupe S. Ramirez | 74 |
Open |
| El Mesias | 90 |
Open |
| Granada Hills | 34 |
Open |
| Dolores Huerta | 80 |
Open |
| Miguel Montes | 56 |
Open |
| North Hollywood | 51 |
Open |
| North Walnut | 30 |
Open |
| Old Orchard | 36 |
Open |
| Pacoima | 60 |
Open |
| Reseda Site | 72 |
Open |
| Sepulveda | 189 |
Open |
| Sun Valley | 34 |
Open |
| Val Verde | 17 |
Open |
| Van Nuys Portable | 20 |
Open |
| Pierce | 28 |
Open |
| Lokrantz | 34 |
Open |
| Lowman | 34 |
Open |
| Martin L. King | 100 |
Open |
| Napa Site | 78 |
Open |
| Valley Plaza Park | 40 |
Open |
| West Valley Site | 15 |
Open |
###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news