MARC Head Start updates

MARC serves as the grantee for Head Start in Clay, Platte and Jackson counties, supporting 17 partner sites, over 400 teachers and 2,300 children and families. Our current grant year ends on Oct. 31 and, unfortunately, we have not yet received the Notice of Award for the upcoming grant cycle beginning Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Without this official notification, MARC is unable to incur any expenses for Head Start services after Oct. 31 unless there is certainty of reimbursement. We face the possibility of having to temporarily close facilities unless the situation is resolved quickly. This will have a profound effect on our partner agencies, their staff, and the children and families that they serve.

MARC staff are actively working with our congressional delegation and national, regional, and state Head Start associations. In the meantime, we are asking MARC Head Start sites to begin preparing contingency plans should the shutdown continue past Oct. 31.

Statement from Head Start director

Oct. 16, 2025

"MARC staff are actively working with the congressional delegation and regional, state and national Head Start associations on this issue," said Kasey Lawson, director of MARC's Head Start program. "Temporarily closing Head Start sites would cause significant hardship for more than 2,300 families in the metro. Head Start offers more than just comprehensive education — we also provide children with mental health, disabilities, health and nutrition services."

As part of MARC's Department of Early Learning, MARC Head Start is the Head Start and Early Head Start grantee for Clay, Jackson and Platte counties in Missouri that serves 2,400 infants, toddlers and preschoolers. MARC Head Start is funded by federal, state, and private grants as well as local contributions.

The MARC Head Start mission is to advance young children’s development and learning through effective program administration, community collaboration and family engagement.

MARC Head Start operates through a network of providers and offers oversight and support for the delivery of Head Start and Early Head Start services through 17 early childhood agencies throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.