Richmond-based aid agency prepares to layoff half its staff

RICHMOND, Ky. (WTVQ) – There’s a chance Kentucky River Foothills Development Council won’t get the funding it needs for its Head Start Program in the upcoming year. That, is leading the agency to prepare to cut staff.

According to the agency, it applies for a grant every year, but this year, because it isn’t the highest ranked applicant, administrators are fairly certain the agency won’t get the grant.

To prepare for the worst, the agency notified the state that it has plans to cut 142 of its over 300 employees.

A statement from the agency can be read below.

“KRFDC has been notified that it was not the highest ranked applicant in a recent Head Start competitive bid process. The agency was awarded a contract extension through December 31, 2018 to provide the Office of Head Start/Health and Human Services time to finalize negotiations with the selected provider. KRFDC fully expects that Head Start services will be uninterrupted during the transition. Although KRFDC does not know the identity of the new grantee, the agency will fully cooperate in transitioning the services.”

The cuts will happen on January 1, 2019 if, in fact, the agency does not get the grant.