Head Start of Washington County Inc

“Upon receipt of a draft form 990 from the independent auditor, the executive director, the director of finance, and the finance committee perform a detailed review of the draft. The entire report is read for typographical errors and all financial data is traced back and confirmed to the accounting records and/or internal financial statements of hswc, inc. Any questions or errors noted as part of this review shall be communicated to the independent auditor in a timely manner and resolved to the satisfaction of the executive director, the director of finance, and the finance committee. The board of directors will be presented with the draft form 990 prior to it being finalized and submitted.”

“Hswc, inc. Requires that all members of the board of directors, the executive director, members of management, and employees with purchasing and/or hiring responsibilities or authority shall inform in writing, the executive director and the president of the board of directors, of all reportable conflicts. Monitoring occurs on an on-going basis through the review and approval process and during the annual head start self assessment.”

“In november 2022, the organization contracted with an independent consultant to provide updated salary information and analysis for all job descriptions using a leading compensation software and data company which was developed to help people and employers obtain accurate, real-time information on the job market compensation.”

“Same description as for line 15a”

“Hswc, inc. Makes available for public inspection agency governing documents, the conflict of interest policy, and financial statement to all members of the general public. Anyone appearing in person at the office of hswc, inc. During normal working hours making a request to inspect the forms are granted access to a file copy of the forms. The director of finance is responsible for maintaining these copies and for making them available to all requesters. All written requests for copies received by hswc, inc. Require prepayment of all copying and shipping charges and will be shipped to requesters within 30 days.”

“Dedicated to making a difference in our community through comprehensive child and family development services. Our mission is to provide all children with nurturing experiences, a strong foundation for developmental growth, and opportunities to achieve school readiness. We strive to understand and empower families to take an active role in their child's development and to reach their full potential.”

“In-kind rent - 592,820 in-kind materials - 18,233 in-kind services - 658,050”

“9,312 volunteer hours valued at 269,876 were included with in-kind contributions and expenses reported on the financial statement for the current fiscal year. Volunteer services are valued at the agency pay scale for like skills.”

“Head start and early head start programs serve children from birth to age 5. These programs specialize in a comprehensive family approach to early childhood education with an emphasis on school readiness. Our program serves around 375 children and their families each year. Head start is a multi-generational program, serving low income or otherwise at-risk children, pregnant women, and families from a variety of backgrounds. Head start agencies are mandated to reduce the impact of risk factors by providing healthy child development services to include education, family supports, health, nutrition and referrals to community services. Strengthening families as the primary nurturers of their children is a hallmark objective of the head start program. Performance standards require a high quality of care and overall culture of continuous quality improvement. Classroom teachers visit families in their homes twice per school year. Every family is also assigned a family advocate to help them identify and reach goals related to providing a safe and nurturing home environment. Families are linked to any community resources that may be necessary to make this possible. Research has shown that children make significant increases in their school readiness scores with increased time in a structured classroom setting. To continue to receive our funding, the agency is required to raise a 25% match to all federal dollars received. At our current funding level, the 25% equates to 1,702,950 through individual, company and/or foundation donations. For this reporting year a 16% waiver was granted by the awarding agency. We have continued to look at new and creative ways to increase our in-kind contributions and have seen success with these efforts. Contributions of any size are always welcome and allow us to reach our required match and enable us to request additional funds in the future we humbly ask for your help to continue serving the neediest children and families in our community.”

“City of hagerstown funding through the american rescue plan act in response to the covid-19 pandemic to provide assistance to support the martin luther king head start summer program for children transitioning to kindergarten in the fall.”

“Py encumbered expenses included on cy 990 231,876 cy encumbered expenses not included on 990 -171,685 total 60,191”

“For financial statement reporting, the organization's policy is to expense the cost of equipment and building improvements in the year of acquisition, and land and buildings that are financed are reported at cost on the balance sheet with no accumulated depreciation reported. The organization also includes expenses that are encumbered but not yet received at year end in current year expenses. The 990 is reported in accordance to gaap financial statement reporting to be in compliance with irs regulations. Current year fixed asset purchases in the amount of 206,370 included as operating expenses on the financial statements were capitalized for 990 purposes and not included as functional expenses on part ix of the form 990, rather, these expenditures are included in fixed assets on part x column b lines 10a and 10b. Depreciation expense in the amount of 201,389 not reported on the financial statements was included as a functional expense on part ix. Current year encumbered expenses in the amount of 171,685 are included in operating expenses on the financial statements for the current year, but not included on part ix, statement of functional expenses; rather this is reported as "other changes in net assets" on part xi, line 9. Prior year encumbered expenses in the amount of 231,876 are not included in operating expenses on the financial statements for current year, but are included on part ix, statement of functional expenses; this is reported as "other changes in net assets" on part xi, line 9. See schedule d, part xi for the reconciliation of expenses per audited financial statements with expenses per return.”