The Loving Arms Learning Center Head Start Program of Junction City has entered into an agreement with Region VII’s office of Head Start in Kansas to release its administrative services back to them. The action will conclude educational services to low income families in Junction City and Geary County at the end of this year’s school session.

Board Chair Patricia Hunter stated that she met with representatives of the federal office and discussed the program not resuming services to families who met the income criteria for the upcoming 2018-19 school year. Hunter also stated that the magnitude of running the program was beginning to exceed the resources and capabilities of the organization to keep pace with many of the requirements outlined by federal regulations.

Hunter said that there have been preliminary discussions with USD 475, who previously ran the program in 2016, to consider continuing service to families. Head Start will work with USD 475 for placement of students, as space permits.

The executive director, LaFarris Risby, the grantee for the program, said she is grateful to have been selected to bring Head Start back, and that she learned a great deal over the last two years. Risby said that she will return to her business and remain an active participant in the city and the region.