New spending deal preserves Head Start funding in the Bay Area, but staffers see trouble ahead

RICHMOND — As California preschoolers enjoy spring break, many Head Start providers say they’re feeling some relief — at least for the moment.

A controversial spending deal ironed out by Congress will preserve federal grant funding for the program at last year’s levels for the next six months, and there are promising trends in places like Contra Costa County, where teacher vacancies are declining and student rosters are nearing capacity for the first time since July 2020.

And yet...