WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam H. Putnam (R-FL 12) today reintroduced the Head Start Accountability Act for the 110th Congress, which would ensure accountability for Head Start agencies so that they remain competitive, responsive and compliant with federal law.

"Polk County has experienced first hand what happens when Head Start grantees abuse federal funding and are noncompliant with federal law," said Putnam, the Chairman of the House Republican Conference.  "The mismanagement of the Polk County Opportunity Council (PCOC) not only wasted government funds, but it has done a disservice to the parents and children that not only expect, but deserve comprehensive and high quality services, and to the dedicated men and women working hard every day to ensure that Head Start remains a valuable resource for the neediest children and families in our communities.

"I believe this legislation is vital in making certain that corrective measures are put in place to hold Head Start agencies accountable for the services they are providing to our communities not only here in Polk County, but throughout the State of Florida and our nation," Putnam added.

In response to allegations of financial misconduct by PCOC and stories of corrupt agencies surfacing across the nation, Putnam introduced H.R. 778, the Head Start Accountability Act during the 109th Congress. This legislation streamlined the audit process, specified oversight board compilation, and called for the automatic recompetition for agency designation every five years, regardless of performance.  The House of Representatives later approved H.R. 2123, the School Readiness Act, to reform and strengthen the Head Start early childhood program, and key provisions of Putnam's bill were incorporated into the Act.

"It is imperative that as Congress once again considers Head Start Reauthorization that corrupt agencies are stopped and that every federal dollar we allocate is spent wisely.  Taxpayers must be protected against any further abuse and mismanagement and know that we in Congress are doing our part to restore accountability for awarding grants to Head Start agencies and ensuring delivery of social services to some our most vulnerable citizens," Putnam concluded.

Important elements of this legislation include:

Allowing high performing agencies to be given priority when up for recompetition;

• Specifying composition of oversight board in order to ensure that all interests are properly addressed;

• Requiring those board members to function autonomously from the agency staff, and be knowledgeable of general concepts of accounting, law and business management;

• If any agency is known to be deficient in a programmatic area (i.e. financial management), they are subject to review, on-site evaluations and possible termination of grant designation by Head Start; and

• Requiring agencies to perform an audit, performed by a Certified Public Accountant, no later than 60 days following the end of the fiscal year.  The accountant must be chosen by the oversight board, through a competitive process.  No accountant may perform audits of an agency for more than two consecutive years.

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