The recent removal of Diveena Cooppan, the director of Oakland's Head Start program, has raised alarm among advocates and staff regarding the program's future. Cooppan, along with another employee, was placed on administrative leave without clear reasons provided. Head Start offers essential early education to low-income families, and the ongoing budget cuts could threaten its stability. Emergency meetings were called by advisory boards to address concerns about potential dysfunction that could jeopardize funding and services for local children.
"The city can confirm that two employees involved in the city's Head Start program were placed on administrative leave on Friday, April 25. The city administrator's office executive team is engaging with the Head Start team now to support next steps for the program. We will provide updates to the program participants as needed," Maher said.
"With Head Start funding in the crosshairs of the Trump Administration, supporters are concerned that a leadership vacuum in Oakland could leave the program vulnerable to being dismantled."
"The committee chairs learned of Cooppan's removal on Monday and called an emergency meeting and information session for Wednesday. At the meeting, committee members and Head Start advocates expressed confusion and worries that dysfunction could put the program's grant funding at risk."
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