In an announcement on their website, CSRA EOA, Inc. (Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc.), which has operated Head Start programs for over 50 years, stated that they will not be the grantee for the program that serves Bulloch, Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, and Warren Counties effective August 1, 2024.
Parents who were expecting their children to begin the program on August 1st must find alternatives.
Statesboro Head Start posted a copy of the notice on their Facebook page on July 16, 2024. One parent stated, "GA Early Head Start sent out no emails, no phone calls, nothing to let me know. So if your pre-k aged child is supposed to be going into Head Start or Early Head Start August 1st, look into other options now so you're not blindsided on the 1st."
A CSRA employee confirmed that a new grantee will be instated and will resume operation of Head Start programs, but she was not sure when this would take place. This change will impact hundreds of children across eleven counties.
Notice from the CSRA website:
Central Savannah River Area Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. (CSRA EOA, Inc.) takes great pride in having provided services to children and families across CSRA through the Head Start Program for over 50 years. CSRA EOA, Inc. will not be the grantee for the Head Start Program that serves Bulloch, Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, and Warren Counties effective August 1, 2024.
Please be assured that when the new grantee is announced, the quality services offered through the Head Start Program will continue. For more information on the new services please direct your inquiries to: [email protected]. CSRA EOA, Inc. will continue to work to leverage resources, empower people and advocate to alleviate poverty in the Central Savannah River Area, providing a wide variety of programs and services.
These include but are not limited to: Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, Home Ownership Planning & Education (HOPE), Senior Nutrition and Wellness, Family Self-Sufficiency & Crisis Intervention, Coordinated Entry/Centralized Intake & Assessment for the Homeless, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and Permanent Supportive Housing; also informational and resource events including Job Fairs, Health Fairs, Resource Fairs, Making Money Make Sense workshops, and Consumer Education.
