Hidalgo County Head Start has been designated a Program of Excellence, the county’s executive and Head Start staff told commissioners, a national recognition that carries a five-year accreditation and is awarded to a small number of programs each year.

Irma Peña, Head Start executive director, told the court the designation recognizes program quality after a rigorous peer-review process; Hidalgo County’s program serves about 2,720 students, employs roughly 744 staff and partners with eight independent school districts. Peña thanked staff, parents and department directors for the achievement.

Commissioners approved a proclamation honoring the program’s recognition and also approved the Head Start program’s FY2026 funding applications. The Head Start director told the court the program submitted a continuation application to the Administration for Children and Families for $33,000,009.58 and a U.S. Department of Agriculture food-and-nutrition application for about $3,000,004.71 for nutrition support, per the materials presented.

Commissioners voted to approve related policy items and memoranda of understanding with local school districts to set classroom limits (maximum 24 four‑year‑olds and 20 three‑year‑olds in the classrooms identified in the MOU), and they approved items formalizing case‑management procedures and reporting to federal databases as required by Head Start rules.

Court members congratulated program staff and parents in the chamber; multiple officials and partner organizations — including medical and support-group representatives — spoke in favor of continuing and expanding access to Head Start services.