KEARNEY — Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska is seeking to build a new Early Head Start facility and the Kearney Planning Commission voted to approve a rezone that would help with the process during their meeting on Friday, Oct. 18.
Meredith Collins, CCAP, Chief Executive Officer of Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska, appeared and said they were seeking to rezone the vacant lot south of 1023 Ave F to allow for the construction of a new Early Head Start Facility.
“The goal of the Early Head Start program is to strengthen children, families and communities through quality education, comprehensive health and family services and by fostering community partnerships. Early Head Start serves children ages 0-3 years old,” according to Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska.
Collins said that they currently serve 32 children at their current space, which is rented and in an industrial area of the community. She later noted they have 20 children on their waiting list.
Collins said that they have used their current Head Start facility for the past four years and have now secured the funding to build a new facility located on the agency property behind their current Head Start and WIC building and adjacent to their RYDE transit facility.
The total capacity of the new facility will allow for 48 children. Collins did note that they will have to get additional funding for more staff to care for the total capacity. The new facility would feature four classrooms.
Collins noted they have been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the Office of Head Start in Sept. 2024 for the construction of the new facility.
The agency is seeking to rezone the vacant lot from R3 residential to C-0, office district.
City staff recommended approval of the rezoning and noted they had only received two calls regarding the rezone, but they were only inquiring for information not to voice support or opposition.
The Kearney Planning Commission approved the rezone and the matter will be taken up by the Kearney City Council at a future date.
