Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez appointed Ana Gallardo to serve as a community representative on the Hidalgo County Head Start Program Policy Council for a one-year term, and Head Start staff told the commissioners that, despite recent federal reports of funding freezes, the program expects to remain funded.

The appointment was read as item 11(a) on the agenda; Cortez said, “Well, I’m appointing Ana Gallardo,” and the court approved the appointment by voice vote.

Why it matters: The Head Start Policy Council includes community representatives who participate in program governance for a federally funded early childhood program serving low-income families. Funding uncertainty for federal programs can affect services and staffing; commissioners asked about contingency planning.

Self-assessment and federal funding status

Head Start staff presented and requested approval for the program’s self-assessment schedule, a grant requirement; the court approved the schedule. During discussion, Head Start staff reported conflicting and rapidly changing information from federal sources about a partial freeze in federal funding. The presenter stated that a federal contact had told staff the local Head Start program “will not be affected by that freeze” and indicated, “we are in a position that we'll be alright at least for 50% of the fund,” adding that staff expected additional notifications and would keep the commissioners informed.

County Judge Richard Cortez advised contingency planning: “Be sure that you have a backup plan just in case. Plan for the worst, but hope for the best,” he said.

What the record shows

- Appointment: Ana Gallardo — approved for a one-year term (motion/second and voice vote recorded).
- Self-assessment schedule: Approved; presenter noted the self-assessment is a grant requirement and that policy council members are participating.
- Funding status: Head Start presenter said current information indicates the program will not be affected by the federal freeze and that the program should be “alright at least for 50% of the fund,” and that the program would receive daily updates and keep commissioners advised.

The court voted to approve both the appointment and the self-assessment schedule. The transcript records staff cautioning that federal guidance remained under development and that staff would continue monitoring and updating the court.

Provenance: the appointment and self-assessment discussion appear in the transcript under agenda item 11 (Head Start) beginning with the staff presentation and the judge’s appointment and continuing through the question-and-answer about the federal funding status.