Message updated 7/13/2023
July 13, 2023
Dear Head Start Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
We would like to thank you for your continued support and participation in Head Start as well as your patience while we prepare to begin services. On June 29, 2023, you received a letter stating that the Aiken and Barnwell County school districts will no longer be the administrative agency for Head Start services in this area. CDI HS will begin center based services as soon as our centers are licensed. After assessment of the service area and all the facilities, we have determined we will be serving children at four centers.
We will be operating the following centers:
• Aiken Early Learning Center
• Wagener Early Learning Center
• Macedonia Early Learning Center
• Williston Early Learning Center
We will not be operating the following centers:
• Freedman Early Learning Center
• Gloversville Early Learning Center
• Barnwell Early Learning Center
• Monetta Early Learning Center
Our Family Services department will be in contact with you to assist you in determining the best option for your family by July 17, 2023. If you have any questions, you may call 1-877-789-4900 and one of our team members will respond to you promptly.
Again, we are delighted to continue Head Start’s vital services for you and your family and look forward to serving you!
Sincerely,
Gia Lawe Carolyn Dayish Sonya Franklin
Site Manager Lead Site Manager Start up Lead
Message updated June 29, 2023
June 29, 2023
Dear Parents:
Aiken County School District will no longer receive federal funding to provide Head Start services in Aiken and Barnwell Counties, SC after June 30, 2023. Beginning on July 1, 2023, Community Development Institute Head Start (CDI HS) will begin providing Head Start/Early Head Start services in this area on an interim basis.
We are hopeful that CDI HS will be able to operate Head Start/ Early Start services with minimal disruption of services to children and families. We have a team arriving in your local community to work in the following key areas to begin operations as soon as possible:
• Staffing
• Facilities (including licensing)
• Vendors (having vendor agreements in place, including food)
• Insurance (secure all of the legal insurances required)
• Transportation (if applicable)
The role of CDI HS is to provide services to children and families until a replacement grantee is selected by the federal Office of Head Start. This could be several months or longer. CDI HS has nothing to do with the selection of a replacement grantee.
You may call (877) 789-4900 toll-free or visit https://www.cdiaikenhs.org for the most up-to-date information regarding Head Start interim management services in your area. You may also contact your program staff who will be receiving more information as they participate in the upcoming process. For any other questions or if you would like to leave a message, you may call 1-877-789-4900 and one of our team members will respond to you promptly.
Part of the process will include you electing parent members to the CDI HS Policy Council within the first 30-45 days of CDI HS operations. The Policy Council structure will be provided prior to the election process and you will be receiving a guide to Parent Committees titled The Parent Voice. From July 1, 2023, until the election of the regular Policy Council an interim/temporary PC will be formed.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. You can be assured that we will do our best to deliver quality Head Start services with as minimal amount of disruption as possible. We are looking forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Gia Lawe Carolyn Dayish Sonya Franklin
NIM Site Manager NIM Lead Site Manager Start up Lead
June 29, 2023
Dear Head Start/Early Staff:
Aiken County School District will no longer receive federal funding to provide Head Start/Early services in Aiken & Barnwell Counties, SC after June 30, 2023. Beginning on July 1, 2023, Community Development Institute Head Start (CDI HS) will begin providing Head Start/Early Head Start services in this area on an interim basis.
For more information on interim management please see the CDI HS website: www.cdiheadstart.org
We are hopeful that CDI HS will be able to serve Head Start/Early Head Start children with minimal disruption of services to children and families. We have a team arriving in your local community to work in the following key areas to begin operations as soon as possible:
• Staffing
• Facilities (including licensing)
• Vendors (having vendor agreements in place, including food)
• Insurance (secure all of the legal insurances required)
• Transportation (if applicable)
The role of CDI HS is to provide services to children and families until a replacement grantee is selected by the federal Office of Head Start. This could be several months or longer.
CDI HS has set up a toll-free number that current Head Start staff can call to get the most up-to-date information on the startup process and possible opportunities to apply for employment with CDI HS: 1 (877) 789-4900. This information line will provide the time and location of any informational meetings and/or New Employee Orientation Meetings that have not yet been scheduled. For any other questions or if you would like to leave a message you may call 1 (877) 789-4900 and one of our team members will respond to you promptly.
Sincerely,
Gia Lawe Carolyn Dayish Sonya Franklin
NIM Site Manager NIM Lead Site Manager Startup Lead