Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) has released the following statement regarding the federal grant application by Teaching and Mentoring Communities (TMC):

“I had a phone conversation with the Administration at the Office of Head Start, which informed me that no federal funds will be used for the unnecessary relocation of headquarters. This means that TMC will not have the federal funds available to leave Laredo and dozens of local jobs will be saved. I still have serious concerns about the board leadership at TMC. The Office of Head Start has stated in an official correspondence to TMC that it recognizes that the board is proposing major changes in their refunding application to address some longstanding challenges, most notably chronic under-enrollment and top heavy management structure.

“As a federal appropriator, I have had a difficult time communicating with them, I can only imagine how parents are treated. The board of directors have spent too much time focusing on relocating TMC’s headquarters. They need to refocus on addressing the chronic under-enrollment of children, improve services for children and families, and their top-heavy management structure. I hope the board of directors will reembrace Laredo and reach out to my office, the City of Laredo, TAMIU, LCC and all the community partners that wish to partner with them to further develop great relationships locally. My office is ready to work with them to improve services for children and families, rather than closing facilities and cutting jobs.”

Click here to view the official correspondence from the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Head Start in Washington, D.C.