Mayor Oda today announced that the City of Troy will join with The Troy Foundation and other area organizations to provide interim operating funds for the Council on Rural Services (CORS) Troy Head Start program while the federal shutdown is resolved.

The City will contribute $5,000 designated for Troy's program, which provides childcare and school readiness for low-income families. The program's funding is impacted by the federal government shutdown, and CORS expects to see weekslong delays in the delivery of funds after the shutdown ends. 

CORS operates Head Start programs at three locations in Miami County, providing childcare for 280 children, 130 in Troy. The Troy site, located on Troy Towne Park Drive, needs an estimated $121,500 per month to avoid temporary closure. The Troy Foundation has committed to raising at least half of the amount needed to keep the Troy Head Start program open until federal funding has been restored.

Said Mayor Oda, "We're proud to join in this initiative, which will be a great benefit to our families and local companies in providing much-needed childcare services. Head Start is an important piece of workforce development support services, providing care for Troy children with parents working at 53 employers, while employing many teachers and caregivers. The economic and social impact of so many Troy families losing childcare would be huge, and we commend The Troy Foundation for working to avoid the closure of our local program." 

More information about CORS / Head Start Troy is available at www.corsp.org/troy.