Head Start: Broke by October?
Parents, board members upset with leadership
By Warren Wise
Levy Berry
Patsy Gardner
The agency that doles out money for local Head Start programs for poor children is set to run out of funding Oct. 1, the chairman of the agency confirmed.
Chairman Levy Berry also said the board asked ex-director Patsy Gardner to resign July 27 "after we had concrete evidence" of problems at the Moncks Corner-based Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp.
During a tense two-hour meeting with parents and community members Wednesday night, Berry painted a picture of an malfunctioning agency, with information kept from the board, frequent turnover in key money-handling positions and only four of nine board members' slots filled at one point this past spring.
"The board was not given accurate information and was kept out of the loop on several things," Berry said.
Members of the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Head Start and Early Head Start Policy Council, which is supposed to share governance with EDC, have complained for two years that they are often left out of the decision-making process. They gave Berry an earful with a lot of pointed questions about accountability Wednesday.
"I begged you (Berry) to allow the federal government to come in and help us and you told me Mrs. Gardner said, 'We are OK and we don't need any help,' " Policy Council Chairwoman Val Patrick said.
"Documentation beats conversation all day every day," she said. "We are not going to be able to provide for our families or our children because of the board's lack of responsibility."
Berry said he could not give an explanation for all the concerns because the board doesn't have all the answers yet.
Previous stories
Agency has at least $1.2M deficit; State office says group repeatedly violated regulations, published 08/05/08
Head Start issues simmer, published 07/31/08
Head Start chief to vacate post, published 07/30/08
Deadline looms for Head Start, published 01/13/08
Agreement could be near on Head Start funds, published 01/22/08
"We have been trying to put things in place to get accurate reports," he said. "We have been baffled many times trying to get accurate information."
Berry said the agency hoped to raise about $250,000 in September through a fundraising event that would require sponsors and ticket sales, but he questions whether the community will support the venture after the latest revelations of the agency's $1.2 million deficit and the state demanding a $238,000 repayment in less than a month. EDC's budget year runs through December.
Patrick said the fundraiser will not be enough to keep the agency afloat until year's end.
"We are trying to do whatever we can to find the funds to keep the agency operating," Berry said. "If we can't do that, someone else will come in."
Berry and other board members met officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and from the state Office of Economic Opportunity in Atlanta on Monday, and Berry said he was told that if the EDC could demonstrate how it could keep the agency running through the end of the year, it would not have to return the money to the state.
HHS, which runs the Head Start program on the federal level, asked that The Post and Courier e-mail questions about the EDC's finances and its future to the federal agency. They had not responded Thursday.
The EDC must respond to 13 OEO findings within 30 days. Those findings portray an agency that commingled state and federal funds, didn't follow correct procedures, maintained poor records and issued large-sum checks to EDC employees without justification.
Berry said he has not seen the checks and did not know what they were for.
As for the $1.2 million deficit of non-federal money only, he said it was an accumulation over at least 10 years.
"This board is not responsible for it, but we are saddled with it," Berry said.
"Accountability starts with you," Patrick said. "At what point does accountability kick in? It appears you guys are not functional."
Andy Paras contributed to this report. Reach him at 745-5891 or aparas@postand courier.com. Reach Warren Wise at 745-5850 or wwise@postandcourier.com.
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lillycollette (anonymous) says...
IMHO: Responsibility starts with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They have thrown federal tax dollars out like mardi gras beads with little to no discernable interest in follow-up on how that money is actually spent.
Hell-they damn sure need to look at some of the damage they have done through their willfully wanton reckless administration of the Office of Child Support Enforcement.
August 8, 2008 at 3:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Quote: "Documentation beats conversation all day every day,"
Those are words worth following-especially when your living is derived from the yoke around the necks of tax payers.
August 8, 2008 at 3:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Can't wait to see how this plays out!
Yeah where can I get those raffle tickets? RAFFLE TICKETS, is he serious? Remove his lacking rear end too. Put them in jail where they belong right up with Big Al Parish!
August 8, 2008 at 5:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sig (anonymous) says...
Again, DHHS is full of Fraud, Waste and Abuse and no one will do anything about it! This will be pushed under the carpet just like everything DHHS does. What is a couple million among friends!
Again, DHHS waste. The taxpayers of South Carolina could save 10's of millions of dollars every year if someone would come and audit DHHS. But, that will never happen.
DHHS is a waste and they are idiots, but we stupid taxpayers continue to let them get away with stuff like this. DHHS is untouchable. I have written every elected official, to include, Govenor Sanford, about fraud in the DHHS system.
August 8, 2008 at 6:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10216340 (anonymous) says...
Yes, there may be waste in the DHHS department but this issue was caused locally by an administrator(Patsy Gardner)running wild with OUR money and Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp. (Chaired by Levy Berry) who refused (for 2 years) to hear the pleas of the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Head Start and Early Head Start Policy Council.
The policy council has been saying all along that something is fishy but is appears they were blocked at evey turn.
I say arrest the responsible members and let's get a trial going so that all can come out in the wash.
Thieves!
August 8, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Siri (anonymous) says...
Why do they allow someone to resign? Why not fire them? Let the next employer ask ??'s and make an informed decision on her employment or NOT!
August 8, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
The article states:
"This board is not responsible for it, but we are saddled with it," Berry said.
You ARE responsible for it, moron! Just because someone before you started it, doesn't mean you had to CONTINUE it. Those board members chose to be in those positions, therefore they take on the past, present, and future responsibilities the position offers.
"Not me! I didn't do it! Not my job!"
What a waste of tax payer money...
August 8, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reallysad (anonymous) says...
Raffle tickets - that is crazy - what will you win?
August 8, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
You win a chance to pay for 5 more raffle tickets...
August 8, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I wouldn't suspect that anyone still there knows much about where the funds went. I would suspect that some of those who have gone know quiet a bit.
August 8, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
Do you suppose average citizens will survive all the embezzlement in SC? I'd guess that what with the ARM loan, now this fiasco, and all the many others I've read about for the first two years I've lived in SC that we citizens are going to be behind the eight-ball, not the bad guys.
Where do we find decent, honest, up-right people to fill these positions, whether elected or appointed? Add intelligence to those qualities, and I fear it is pretty hopeless.
August 8, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhoCares (anonymous) says...
I hate to play the race card... but, did anyone notice that the director and board are all black? And there are those out there who think they want a black to be our next president! Get used to it folks...saying goodbye to even more of your hard-earned tax dollars!! O'bama is a bigger crook than this crowd!!!
August 8, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Would anyone miss this organization if it folded? Other than the few overseers who have obviously used this program to futher their finacial position who have they helped?
August 8, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
Cranky, it's helped the people who "can't help themselves". I think it's more like "won't help themselves", but there are those few who use it to advance out of a crummy lifestyle or deadbeat job.
August 8, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RightisrightWrongiswrong (anonymous) says...
WhoCares? I agree with you on Gardner, Berry, and Obama.
You can find good or bad in any color.
Julia Ellen Davis (Head Start) and Val Patrick (Policy Council) are of black decent, these two ladies are such upstanding professionals they set a example to be emulated as for what is right!
August 8, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
This entire situation has embezzlement and corruption written all over it.
August 8, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drp7773 (anonymous) says...
I dont care what color or gender, you do not hand over all that money and walk away and say run it well folks good luck buh bye.......this happens everytime government starts a new program and just let the crooks move in. No company i know works without a cfo of some type to over see the people just to keep them straight, they do not sit back and say wellll it sounds like they are doing their jobs, oh my you mean they are not. They ar all to blame including this guy that stepped in a saved the day , yeah ok.
August 8, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
OOOOH "WHOCARES" don't go there....
Yeah I thought it too but didn't say or write anything about that. Seems to be a pattern, eh?
Makes you wonder what would happen if they were all white??
Don't you always see blacks in charge of most head start programs? Why is that?
Anyone....
August 8, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ifyousayso (anonymous) says...
This is a very bad situation. They should have did a complete overhaul a few years ago when something similar happened. wasnt it some Myers guy. The ones that suffer are the kids. And this program isnt just for low income families. My son is supposed to be in it this year due to a speech disability. I am happily married. My husband has a great job but my son needs the extra attention and 125 dollars a week for daycare is more then we are able afford. And I am in school trying to beter myself for my family. I hope they get this fixed cause I will just put off school if I have to cause I dont want my son suffering.
August 8, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Citizens....to add insult to injury !!
Can YOU imagine the smiling LAWYERS licking their chops and paying their gas for their MEGA-BOATS off of this TAXPAYER fleecing in TRIALS, COURT COSTS, AND PRISON expenses !!!
Just think for a moment....! Motion to delay!
Motion to reconvene? Motion for clinical analysis?! Motion to dismiss? Motion to take a TAXPAYER ...BATH!!
Motion to take a TAXPAYER...CRAP !!!
NO ONE SHOULD BE LEFT ...STANDING.. IN NOVEMBER !!
NO ONE....PERIOD !!!
Hang THEM....High !!!
August 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
Whocares - Evil is committed by all races, creads, religions, genders, etc.
The only real difference is that for decades we have been brainwashed, including blacks themselves, in to believing if you are black it is never your fault. As long as Any comment is considered racist and the apparent black leaders make a good living from the racist business a real discussion for improvement can't be held. Any black person that dares to hint that "Some of this is our own fault" will immeadiately be thrown under the bus by his own and the rest of us are forming a silent backlash to this absurdity.
August 8, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
granny2 (anonymous) says...
The story says that they maintained poor records and issued large-sum checks to EDC employees without justification. If these people cannot explain why they got the checks, then make them pay it back and use the money where it should have been used to start with.
August 8, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JLM (anonymous) says...
I normally do not post comments on-line like this; in fact I believe this is my first. It is truly upsetting to me that there are 25 comments on this issue and only three comments on the story about a police officer that is gunned down. It seems everyone is much more concerned about their money than someone who gave their live in service to their community. I hope each of you will take time out of your day to add your condolences to this officer's family somewhere online.
August 8, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
"And there are those out there who think they want a black to be our next president!"
Yep because we know that all blacks are crooks and other presidents have all been so upstanding and so honest and never took anything from any of us US citizens. And you NEVER hear of whites stealing...er...embezzling money from anyone.
And moonpie, I notice that you haven't posted anything about the 3 thieving kids from Summerville. I wonder why that is?
August 8, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Whocares and Moonpie...so blacks are the only ones that embezzle?
Ever heard of Enron?
August 8, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
Posted by JLM on August 8, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I normally do not post comments on-line like this; in fact I believe this is my first.
And maybe it should be your last,
but since your concerned with where and what people are posting, many people have posted to the police officer article. The reason your probably not seeing to many posts is because the P&C have written about 5 other other stories on that subject and the posts do not get carried over from one article to the other. Also people choose what articles they wish to make posts on. The comment section is not where you add your condolences to this officer's family. That is done on the Obit Guess book section.
August 8, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
Moonpie - I believe that the reason blacks are chosen to head these programs is because most of the clientele are black and naturally blacks communicate better with blacks than with whites or others. I mean, if they chose you to lead Head Start, would you be willing to go into the black neighborhoods to do your research and assessments? (I mean without an army of policemen to protect you from "those" people) I personally think that you are deathly afraid of black people and it shows in your negative posts. Maybe you should open your mind.
August 8, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
captivated, why would you make moonpie strain like that. One has to have a mind in order for it to be opened.
August 8, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Okay, that was a little harsh on my part. I do apologize.
August 8, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reallysad (anonymous) says...
Get to the point.. what kind of car was purchased with the check written to the car dealership?
August 8, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
LOL! Lovely_One - Now that is just too cold!
August 8, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
captivated, I was being a little mischevious in that post...Lol! I just don't like when people make such assinine remarks about one group of people as if these incidences are exclusive to that group. It is mindless babble!
August 8, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lovely...you know where to go.
Captivated, Love a dub dub is right though. Lol
August 8, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Captivated- she lost her husband to a mix illegal immigrant by the name of Mario Brown & that's why she hate blacks and hispanics so much.
August 8, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
My condolences, Moonpie; but you need to let it go and get on with your life. Like the Funkadelics said, Free your mind and ............
August 8, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
LMAO @ Girleygirl and Mario Brown!
But we must realize that moonpie wasn't the one that played the race card here first. It was "WhoCares" who seems to be under the assumption that blacks are the only ones committing this crime and that having a black president will be the only time a crook has been in the White House.
Last I checked Nixon was white. Watergate anyone? Clinton was white. Monica Lewinsky anyone? (Liars are crooks) Ulysses S. Grant was white. Credit Mobilier & the Whiskey Ring anyone?
August 8, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
I'm done with Girley.
One of them will reply when we leave..of course, the story will get lost in oblivion because we probably wont check back until Monday. By then, we'll all be saying "Who cares?" to what they said.
It's just sad that we still have people with minds like theirs running around.
August 8, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
Posted by Lovely_One on August 8, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Last I checked Nixon
Hey, Hey, Hey,,,
People need to know if thier president is a crook,, well,,, I am not a crook
August 8, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Lol, jeff. I actually heard the words being spoken in my head my slick Richard! (I wanted to say the word that rhymes with slick and is a nick name for Richard, but the censors won't let me).
August 8, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eric2112 (anonymous) says...
"Ever heard of Enron?"
Or Al Parish?
August 8, 2008 at 3 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhoCares (anonymous) says...
Nixon did nothing no one else in his era wasn't doing...except get caught!! Clinton did a lot of things that were really stupid and disgusting (including Lewinsky), but to the best of my recollection he didn't rip-off taxpayers to the tune of millions. As far as Grant, ...well his name says it all, he was just Useless!!
But if you want O'bama and his gang of thugs running the country, get ready for a fleecing that even a promiscuous sheep would find excessive!!
August 8, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JLM (anonymous) says...
jeff61 - Sorry, just my opinion. However, the PC home page the story "To the heavens and back" has 24 comments "Small community shocked by shooting death of sheriff's deputy" has 7 comments as of 2:52 pm. A story about local salaries has 50 comments and story "Head Start: Broke by October" had 41 comments.
I am also someone in law enforcement (I have worked for a state agency for 13+ years). I worry and think about about my own family evey time I hear a story like this. Again, and it is my opinion, it is just saddening to see so many comments on stories that are basically about money compared to the shooting. It just made me feel as if no one cares about the risk we take. Yes I know I can add my condolences on the obituary section. I know I can also go online to the "Officer Down Home Page" and other sites on the internet and add condolences.
Don't worry, this will be my last comment as you suggested.
August 8, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeff61 (anonymous) says...
Most of us care very deeply. Many of us have commented on the story. Most us appreciate the sacrifies you make and you put your life on the line everyday. Just because some articles do not generate vast amounts of posts is not an indication no one cares...The story of the man on the bridge and the story about horses generate many posts because they use those as blog sites... If you look at the actual posts on those,, none have nothing to do with topic. I some respects it is problaby best there is not 200 posts because 120 would have nothing to do with the story.
August 8, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Yes, WhoCares, just explain it all away. That's how it normally gets done anyway!
August 8, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Did Obama pick his cabinet yet, or his vice president? LOL at all the paranoid folks out there!
August 8, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Oh, Whocares, so just because everyone else was doing what Nixon was doing made it okay for him to do it? And you don't think we as taxpayers had to pay for Clinton't impeachment? And you don't feel that we are being fleeced by every administration via taxes every day of the week?
Man you really need to buy a clue. And I guess you have an excuse for the Enron execs too?
August 8, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
JLM, the death of the officer hit closer to home for you than most citizens. Just accept it and keep your head up. I've lost my friends in EMS and wonder how folks can "not pay attention", but I just stepped back and understood that I was closer to the subject matter than everyone else.
August 8, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
JLM I have put my post in there as well I also intend to go to the funeral home tonight an the funeral as well we know a fine LEO 's life has been taken but there is not much to say it needs to be said to the family in the obit page. But I do have one thing to say to you THANK YOU for being there to serve and protect you are appreciated THANK YOU
August 8, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Lonely_one I would love the head start job. I think I too could work the system to my liking.
By the way the similarities to Enron are that money was involved yes but not TAX PAYERS MONEY. Enron, Parish were all private funds and a bilking of investors NOT TAXPAYERS.
By the way I think they're all scum, dems and repubs, I think Nixon should have been impeached as well as Clinton, Al Parish, Enron execs all shot in public, etc, etc...
Did I cover everything? THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE IN A JAIL.
August 8, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eatmorecollards (anonymous) says...
I read in another article on here where one official of the head start program kept some money in his home for safe keeping, that was to go to weatherprofing. Money belongs in a bank. The interest on that much money could probably have paid for at least one child to go to pre-school. Are these people so ignorant they don't know that mismanagement of funds is a criminal offense?
August 8, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
LMAO @ moonpie, I knew you would come on after we all went home for the day. Thank you for the good laugh!
August 8, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ifyousayso (anonymous) says...
JLM Thank you for what you do. I posted my comments over there to he family. And I would be going to the wake if I wasnt out of town. Its not that we dont care there just isnt anything to debate that a innocent heros life was taken by no good thugs!!
August 8, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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