The City of Phoenix Human Services Department Head Start Birth to Five Program is requesting approval to apply for a Non-Federal Share waiver from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25. The program receives funding for two initiatives: Early Head Start, serving 252 children aged birth to three, and Head Start Preschool, serving 1,957 children aged three to five. Both programs require a 25 percent non-federal share match, which the City has struggled to meet due to insufficient in-kind support resources. For FY 2024-25, the total required match is $11,607,000, but the program estimates it will only secure $7.9 million, resulting in a projected shortfall of $3,707,000. The waiver request is for this $3,707,000 shortfall. This is the second year of a five-year grant, and the request does not alter the existing contract terms. The Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council approved this item on April 14, 2025. There is no impact on the General Fund.