Upbring, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Austin that provides foster care, adoption and education services, will operate the Head Start Preschool program in Nueces County after a local agency that offered Head Start services in the area since 1965 was denied new federal funding.
The Nueces County Community Action Agency will run the Birth-to-Five Head Start program, designed to foster the development of young children from low-income families, through the end of the year.
Earlier this year, the agency was investigated by the federal Administration for Children and Families, which oversees the Office of Head Start, for reports of children being left unsupervised at its child care centers. However, Linda Carrillo, CEO of the Nueces County agency, denied a connection between the investigation and the agency’s being denied a grant.
Upbring declined to answer the Caller-Times’ questions regarding the reason for the transition of Head Start services from NCCAA to Upbring.
The new grant, funded by the Office of Head Start, will enable Upbring to serve an additional 785 children, bringing the total number of children served by Upbring Head Start and Early Head Start Preschool to almost 2,250 statewide, the nonprofit said in a news release this month.
A total of 925 children are enrolled in the NCCAA Birth-to-Five Head Start Program, according to the agency’s website, with Head Start and Early Head Start programs offered at 15 centers across the county.
Many residents have been left wondering about the future of the program now that it will be overseen by another organization.
In a statement to the Caller-Times on Friday, Valerie Villarreal, a spokesperson for Upbring, said that the nonprofit is fully committed to ensuring a smooth process that meets the community’s needs.
“We extend our gratitude to the Nueces County Community Action Agency for connecting Upbring with the community organizations they have partnered with in the past,” she said. “This collaboration enables us to continue providing vital support to the children and families of Nueces County.”
To share details about the Upbring program and employment opportunities, Upbring will meet with current Head Start staff on Sept. 27. In addition, the group will hold a parent town hall on the night of Oct. 7 to provide updates and answer questions, Villarreal said.
Upbring is working closely with the Nueces County Community Action Agency to obtain contact information and will begin sharing updates through the Remind email and texting program, she added.
“Rest assured, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safety and care,” Villarreal said. “Our focus is on creating a nurturing, high-quality learning environment for the children and families of Nueces County, and we are excited about the opportunity to continue providing these essential services to the community.”
With the expansion into Corpus Christi and the surrounding area, the organization will welcome up to 225 new “Head Start Warriors” — staff members who provide trauma-informed education and care to the children and families in its programs.
What to know about Upbring
Upbring’s Head Start Preschool Program currently operates at 26 locations throughout South and Southeast Texas counties, including Bee, Bexar, Goliad, Live Oak and Refugio, as well as the northern part of the state near Fort Worth and Dallas, giving children from low-income families, many of whom live in foster care or who qualify as homeless, a place to learn fundamental skills to prepare them for kindergarten.
The program is free to eligible families.
Upbring received two grant awards from the Office of Head Start — one for $3.85 million and another for about $4 million — that will go toward Head Start and Early Head Start programs, according to open government data on the USA Spending website.
Both grants are in progress and are set to expire in 2029.
The organization, originally known as Lutheran Social Services of the South, was designated by the federal government in 2015 to provide childhood development programs in four Southeast Texas centers — Wharton, El Campo, Palacios and Bay City.
Upbring won a Head Start award in 2015, and the program has since expanded from those four locations to different regions of Texas.
In addition to Head Start, Upbring also offers opportunities for foster care, community services, help for unaccompanied minors and residential treatment at children’s centers.
More: Nueces County nonprofit’s future unclear without Head Start funding in 2025
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Austin nonprofit will oversee Nueces County Head Start program in 2025
About the author
Mission Local bags two Society of Professional Journalists awards
This here publication last week took home two more awards from the Northern California branch of the Society of Professional Journalists for in-depth coverage and analysis of the sort you expect — and demand — of us. Senior editor Joe Rivano Barros and former data reporter Will Jarrett were honored in the “Explanatory Journalism” category for the mammoth effort of tracing and documenting the Russian dolls-like series of interconnected organizations funneling billionaires’ dollars into San Francisco politics. Joe Rivano Barros, who with Will Jarrett won for the Big Money SF work. Photo by Abigail Van NeelyThe series, titled “BigMoneySF,” included Rivano Barros’ profile of Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, the largest donor over the last several election cycles, and Jarrett’s interactive chart, a stunning accomplishment requiring months of work unearthing reams of financial data structured in a manner so as to render it […]
US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) - Alaska Airlines flight attendant Rebecca Owens works 10 hours a day but only gets paid for half that time - a legacy of a common U.S. airline policy to pay cabin crew members only when planes are in motion. Owens, and thousands of cabin crew like her, wants that to change. In August, 68% of Alaska flight attendants in a ratification vote rejected a contract that would have increased average pay by 32% over three years. It was also the first labor agreement that would have legally required airlines to start the clock for paying flight attendants when passengers are boarding, not when the flight starts to taxi down the runway. Delta Air Lines, the only major U.S. airline whose flight attendants are not in a union, instituted boarding pay for its flight […]
Easy Caramel Apple Cider Mimosas
Sweet, tart and bubbly, this recipe for Caramel Apple Cider Mimosas is a perfectly refreshing cocktail for your next fall party, Thanksgiving brunch, or holiday gathering! A traditional mimosa is only two ingredients: orange juice and champagne (or sparkling wine). But since this recipe is inspired by warm autumn flavors, apple cider replaces orange juice and we’re adding a splash of caramel flavored whiskey. If you can’t find a caramel flavored whiskey, we have some substitutions below in the ‘Tips’ section below. The Ingredients Champagne (Or other sparkling wine like cava or prosecco) Apple cider (not a apple juice) Caramel flavored whiskey Fresh apple slices (honey crisp or granny smith are both delicious!) How to Make the Mimosas These mimosas are easy to make! Simply add 2 ounces of apple cider to your champagne glass with .5 ounces (equal to […]
‘Slow Streets, Fast Friends’ mural comes to 20th St. in the Mission
Sign up below to get Mission Local’s free newsletter, a daily digest of news you won’t find elsewhere. Josue Rojas hovers in the air above the ground, gingerly balancing his stomach on a stool while holding his paintbrush in one hand, face towards the asphalt. He says it’s better than being on all fours. “It’s particularly brutal work,” says Rojas. “I’m on my knees six to eight hours a day and, now that I’m in my mid-40s, it’s not that easy to bear.” Rojas has spent the past week working between bursts of rain to create a street mural on 20th and Florida streets for the “Slow Streets, Fast Friends” project of the SF Parks Alliance nonprofit, which commissions murals on slow streets throughout the city.The mural was finished this past weekend, and now adorns the block where Atlas Cafe, the Southern […]
Speaker Johnson says transgender women won’t be allowed to use women’s restrooms in Capitol
House Speaker Mike Johnson said transgender women cannot use women's restrooms in the Capitol and House office buildings. This also applies to changing rooms and locker rooms, Johnson said."All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex," the statement said Wednesday.Johnson continued, "It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol."After winning her election earlier this month to be Delaware's sole representative in the House, Rep.-elect Sarah McBride will be the first openly trans member of Congress.McBride responded to Johnson Wednesday by saying, "I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Like all members, I will […]
Maple Vanilla Pumpkin Pie – Better Living
Better Living uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no cost to you. Looking for a pumpkin pie recipe with a little pizzazz this holiday season? Give this Maple Vanilla Pumpkin Pie recipe a try! This wonderful pumpkin pie has hints of maple, vanilla, and warm spices all within a rich custard-like pumpkin filling. It’s the ultimate pumpkin pie for your holiday table and we’re sure you’ll want to make this a yearly tradition This Vanilla Maple Pumpkin Pie recipe is intended for one 9-inch prepared pie crust. To save time a store-bought crust is your pie-making friend. If you would like to make your own pie crust, try this highly rated Butter Flaky Pie Crust or use your own family favorite recipe. […]
Related
US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) - Alaska Airlines flight attendant Rebecca Owens works 10 hours a day but only gets paid for half that time - a legacy of a common U.S. airline policy to pay cabin crew members only when planes are in motion. Owens, and thousands of cabin crew like her, wants that to change. In August, 68% of Alaska flight attendants in a ratification vote rejected a contract that would have increased average pay by 32% over three years. It was also the first labor agreement that would have legally required airlines to start the clock for paying flight attendants when passengers are boarding, not when the flight starts to taxi down the runway. Delta Air Lines, the only major U.S. airline whose flight attendants are not in a union, instituted boarding pay for its flight […]
Speaker Johnson says transgender women won’t be allowed to use women’s restrooms in Capitol
House Speaker Mike Johnson said transgender women cannot use women's restrooms in the Capitol and House office buildings. This also applies to changing rooms and locker rooms, Johnson said."All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex," the statement said Wednesday.Johnson continued, "It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol."After winning her election earlier this month to be Delaware's sole representative in the House, Rep.-elect Sarah McBride will be the first openly trans member of Congress.McBride responded to Johnson Wednesday by saying, "I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Like all members, I will […]
UN watchdog meets to discuss condemning Iran over nuclear program, AP explains
Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency seen by The Associated Press. The AP's Stephanie Liechtenstein explains. Source: www.yahoo.com
Airbus CEO says Spirit Aero talks going well but industrial challenges lie ahead
By Tim Hepher BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The head of European planemaker Airbus said talks to finalise the takeover of part of troubled U.S. aerostructures supplier Spirit Aerosystems were going smoothly but that bringing it into Airbus would "not be a walk in the park". Airbus plans to take over the running of four Spirit plants associated with its A350 and A220 jetliner programmes as part of a loosely coordinated plan to carve up the company with Boeing, which is buying back almost all the rest of its former unit. The rare act of cooperation between business foes reflects concerns that the rapid decline of one of the industry's key suppliers, spun off from Boeing almost 20 years ago, could have spread havoc through the world's largest planemakers. Because the plants lose money, Spirit has agreed to pay $559 million to […]
Five common bad weather injuries
Cold and wintry conditions are sweeping across the UK now, with several yellow weather warnings in place for snow and ice in parts of England, Wales and Scotland.During adverse weather conditions, accidents are more likely to happen and we become more vulnerable to injuries. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued its first amber cold health alert of the season, warning that the weather is likely to "cause significant impacts across health and social care services".Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: "It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather. Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk."The Met Office is warning of "a chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces", as […]
Man held in Peru for allegedly trying to smuggle hundreds of tarantulas to South Korea
Man held in Peru for allegedly trying to smuggle hundreds of tarantulas to South Korea Source: www.yahoo.com
