Oakland Head Start in turmoil as director is removed suddenly without explanation

The director of Oakland’s Head Start program was removed from her position last week, leaving advocates and staff concerned about the fate of the early education program in the city. 

Diveena Cooppan was one of two Head Start employees placed on leave Friday, April 25. Cooppan had been in her role since 2019. In a statement to The Oaklandside, city spokesperson Sean Maher confirmed that two Head Start employees were placed on administrative leave, but did not share why or who could be replacing them.

“The city can confirm that two employees involved in the city’s Head Start program were placed on administrative leave on Friday, April 25. The city administrator’s office executive team is engaging with the Head Start team now to support next steps for the program. We will provide updates to the program participants as needed,” Maher said. 

Head Start is a federally funded program that provides free early childhood education and wraparound services to low-income families. Oakland runs 15 Head Start centers that can serve up to 600 children. With Head Start funding in the crosshairs of the Trump Administration, supporters are concerned that a leadership vacuum in Oakland could leave the program vulnerable to being dismantled. 

Additionally, heavy cuts are expected in all areas of the city to close the $265 million budget gap. Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins is expected to release his budget on Monday, and the City Council will make amendments and approve it by June 30. 

Two bodies oversee the city’s Head Start program: the Head Start Advisory Board and the Parent Policy Council. The committee chairs learned of Cooppan’s removal on Monday and called an emergency meeting and information session for Wednesday. At the meeting, committee members and Head Start advocates expressed confusion and worries that dysfunction could put the program’s grant funding at risk. 

The city has not confirmed publicly that Cooppan has been fired or stated who placed her on leave.

Clara Sanchez, who worked as Cooppan’s assistant, said the move was unexpected. Last Friday, without warning, Cooppan was called and told there was a “change in direction,” Sanchez said.

“Diveena Cooppan was called last Friday at 3:30 p.m. without any prior notification that she was fired. She’s shocked. There was no warning, no indication that she had done anything wrong,” Sanchez said. “All they told her was that there was a change in direction. What change in direction justifies tossing aside a woman who had dedicated seven years of her life to Oakland children?”

Cooppan did not respond to a request for comment, made through a union representative. 

Members are also concerned that Cooppan’s removal could run afoul of federal law, which states that a move to terminate the Head Start director must be approved by the policy council and the governing body, which would be the City Council.

“What this signifies is an ongoing and egregious disrespect of the leadership of our Head Start program. Federal law says our leadership cannot be terminated without this body’s approval,” To Niya Scott-Smith, chair of the Parent Policy Council, said during the joint meeting. 

Councilmember Carroll Fife, who chairs the city’s Life Enrichment Committee that the Head Start committees report to, said she’d make it a priority to investigate and ensure the program is stable. She plans to ask for a report on the Head Start changes at a future committee meeting.

“This will be my homework from now going forward,” Fife said at the meeting. “I do take this very seriously. I’m a former early childhood care provider. I understand how critical this is for Oakland and our ability to thrive and for our children to have really good beginnings.”

Head Start advocates are encouraging supporters to attend the Life Enrichment and regular City Council meetings to press city officials and ensure the program remains in compliance lest the city lose its Head Start grant funding. Oakland Head Start received about $13.5 million in federal funds for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. 

“The Head Start program deserves strong leadership always — that’s how we’re going to continue to develop a high-quality early childhood education for Oakland’s kids,” said Molly Tafoya, the chair of the advisory board. “But especially now when we’re facing these critical threats from the federal government, having strong and bold leadership at this time is crucial if we’re going to withstand what’s coming from this administration.”