Oregon senators’ letter notes that federal agency delays could endanger program helping 180 children in Southern Oregon
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Head Start to release grant funding essential to preventing the Klamath Family Head Start program from foreclosing on its main site in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
“Despite the program submitting a full application for funding to pay off an outstanding loan and purchase their facility more than six months ago, Klamath Family Head Start still has yet to receive an update from the Office of Head Start (OHS),” the senators wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “This delay is especially troubling as Klamath Family Head Start’s lender has now informed them that they will extend the mortgage only through December 18, 2025, after which this program could lose its building.”
“Klamath Family Head Start has been a trusted Head Start provider since 1980 and foreclosure of the building would be devastating for the community,” the senators continued. “One hundred eighty children and families in rural Oregon rely on this facility on a daily basis and it is supported by over 40 staff members. If the program is forced into an eviction or emergency relocation because of a stalled federal review process, Oregon families will pay the price.”
The senators requested an update to the status of the grant request, and a timeline of when OHS will complete its review.
The full letter is here.
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