Crist Sits on Head Start Decision

Why is Charlie Crist delaying his decision on Polk County's Head Start program. If any readers have a clue I like to know.

The grant was to be awarded in October, officials with ALPI and the School District said, but so far there's been no word from the federal Administration for Children and Families, which oversees Head Start for the Department of Health and Human Services.

"We're just in a holding pattern," said Deloris Johnson, chief executive officer of ALPI, a nonprofit agency that administers community service programs for migrants and other low-income families.

The reason for the delay is not entirely clear, but a spokesman for the Administration for Children and Families said it's tied to a federal regulation that requires the governor's office to review and approve of the federal plan for awarding the grant.

Head Start provides meals, comprehensive education and assistance to low-income families with children. Head Start is greatly needed for many families. The Polk program serves 940 children ages 3 and 4. This should be a priority for Crist.

Members of the Polk school board don't want to be put in charge of oversight on Head Start. The board voted to approve Head Start and is competing with Labor Program Inc for the contract. I fail to see how that has anything to do with Crist's lack of action.