News Summary
Memphis-Shelby County Schools will no longer manage the local Head Start program, handing over responsibilities to Porter-Leath. This change comes with a $30 million federal grant aimed at supporting nearly 3,000 children. The Head Start program, which prepares low-income children for school, will continue to have MSCS providing VPK classrooms. The transition is set to impact multiple childcare providers and includes a recruitment drive at Porter-Leath to staff the expanding program. Enrollment events are scheduled to assist families in Shelby County.
MemphisโIn a significant shift for early childhood education in the area, Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) has announced that it will no longer directly manage the local Head Start program. Instead, management will transition to Porter-Leath, an organization recently awarded a $30 million federal grant aimed at supporting nearly 3,000 children in the Head Start initiative. The changes are set to take effect imminently, marking a new chapter for early childhood educational support in the region.
The Head Start program plays a crucial role in helping low-income children from birth to five years old to become ready for school. While MSCS will cease managing the Head Start program, it will continue to provide Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) classrooms with other sources of state and local funding. This ensures that the school district remains committed to early childhood education despite the funding changes.
The transition of the Head Start program to Porter-Leath will have ripple effects beyond just the organizational management. Over 23 contracted childcare providers, many of which are small, minority-owned businesses, will be impacted by this shift. MSCS is prioritizing open communication and support to alleviate potential disruptions to services during this transition phase.
Porter-Leath is quickly mobilizing to implement the changes and plans to broaden its existing Preschool program to accommodate an additional 2,920 children between the ages of three and five. Traditionally, Porter-Leath serves over 1,500 children from six weeks to five years old, showcasing its commitment to early childhood education.
The enrollment process for Head Start will kick off with an event scheduled for July 23, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Memphis STEM Academy. Families interested in enrolling their children must reside in Shelby County and meet age requirements, with children needing to be three or four years old by August 15, 2025, to qualify.
To staff the expanding program, Porter-Leath is actively recruiting for various positions, including teachers, assistants, and family liaisons. Open enrollment events will also take place at multiple locations, such as American Way Head Start and Hooks-Dimmick Childcare, to facilitate access for families.
This transition to Porter-Leath follows several reported deficiencies in the previous management of the Head Start program by MSCS, prompting the change in leadership and funding allocation. Despite this shift, MSCS continues to emphasize its dedication to early childhood education and stability for children, families, and educators within the community.
By navigating through this transition period, both Porter-Leath and MSCS aim to ensure that children receive quality early education and care, paving the way for brighter educational futures.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 Memphis: Porter-Leath Takes Reins of Head Start from MSCS
- Wikipedia: Head Start
- WREG: Porter-Leath Takes Over Head Start Program
- Google Search: Porter-Leath Head Start
- Local Memphis: MSCS Out as Shelby County Head Start Grantee
- Google Scholar: Early Childhood Education
- Commercial Appeal: Porter-Leath Pre-K Head Start Grant
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Early Childhood Education
- Hoodline: Porter-Leath Assumes Control of Shelby County Head Start
- Google News: Early Education Programs
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
