South Central Head Start authorities are tightening their belts amid funding concerns born from separate budget recommendations by the president and the governor.

The agency is looking at ways to reduce costs, such as contracting out bussing and cutting out vehicles driven to homes for family visits.

"Transportation is so expensive and there's no new money coming down," said Mary Marshall, South Central Head Start director.

The federally funded agency has 10 centers with waiting lists throughout nine Magic Valley counties. It could lose about $519,130 this year alone, according to information from its fiscal agent at the College of Southern Idaho.

As a federally funded poverty prevention program, Head Start gives low-income kids ages 3 to 5 structured preschool education with health and nutrition services, along with home visits to bring parents into theirkids' education.

Head Start's funding outlook - though uncertain - is starting to look lighter.

Federal funds totaling $1.79 million funneled through the state, called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, will–be eliminated from Head Start in Idaho–if the Legislature supports recommendations from the governor and the state's Department of Health and Welfare.

President Bush's funding recommendation was also criticized earlier this month by the National Head Start Association for being more than $900 million short, because of prior funding cuts and new unfunded regulations, according to a press release from the association.

"I don't know exactly what the effect will be," said Marshall. "I don't want to say the sky is falling â€- We know there will be some impact. This will be a realchallenging year."

Four older cars used by Head Start staff to visit children and parents at their homes have been put out to bid, and Marshall said they won't be replaced right now. Home visits will still be done, but with fewer cars, Marshall said, and staff will also track mileage in their personal vehicles.

Local Head Start authorities are also working on a bid package to determine if a private company could provide bussing services and save the agency money, Marshall said.

Cost cutting comes in the recent wake of a good grade that South Central Head Start garnered from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A single deficiency was cited by the federal agency: CSI staff didn't provide the college's board with budget printouts, only verbal updates.

Trans IV buses in Twin Falls, which also contracts with CSI for its fiscal affairs, won't likely bid because its fleet isn't equipped with the type of seat belts required to transport 3- to 5-year-olds. Trans IV buses do have other types of belts on board, though, and makes at least 6,000 rides per year carrying kids in at least first grade from public schools to after school programs, said Lynn Baird, executive director of Twin Falls-based Trans IV Buses.

At least one local private company with special belts installed on its fleet would be game to bid, its owner said.

Andrea Gates can be reached at 735-3380 or Andrea.Gates@lee.net