Protect Head Start: Your Voice Matters + How to Take Action

The federal Department of Health and Human Services has released a proposal that would make sweeping changes to the Head Start program, which provides essential early education services and support for the families who need it most.  

Here's what you need to know: 

• The proposal would loosen many federal guidelines that have helped Head Start serve families nationwide. 
• The proposal would reduce key standards that help children with disabilities and families get needed support. 

The proposal is not final! Easterseals Southern California, Easterseals National, and Head Start advocates are pushing back, and you can help! 

Two ways you can protect Head Start! 

1. First, tell your representatives how much Head Start means to you! Click here to make your voice heard today! It’s easy! 
2. To make more impact, submit a comment on the proposal by October 6! Anyone can do it, and thousands already have. All you have to do is click here and write why Head Start matters to you. 

How the Proposal Impacts Head Start 

Head Start provides comprehensive, high-quality services that support early learning, health, nutrition, family well-being, and economic mobility. The Department of Health and Human Services proposal could weaken this important support for our communities. 

How we expect the proposal to harm Head Start's impact: 

• Many California Head Start programs would likely experience significant operational challenges if the proposed measures are adopted.  
• Many Head Start programs would face difficult choices between maintaining compliance requirements and preserving direct services to children and families.  
• Children with disabilities could experience delays in screening, referral, evaluation, and access to services. 
• Children could lose access to important mental and behavioral health supports at a time when California programs are seeing greater social-emotional and behavioral needs among young children. 
• Family support and economic mobility services could also be diminished, limiting assistance with employment, housing stability, healthcare access, and family goal-setting. 
• Children and families would be less likely to access services in their preferred language, as the proposal requires instruction in English and removes standards for serving dual language learners. 
• Reduced funding could result in fewer staff dedicated to enrollment, fiscal oversight, health and safety monitoring, family engagement, data reporting, and program governance. 

Collectively, these changes could reduce school readiness outcomes, increase demands on local school districts and community agencies, and weaken California's early childhood support system. See a more comprehensive overview of the proposal's impacts here. 

Why Protect Head Start? 

Head Start is more than simply early learning for more than 1,100 young children at Easterseals Southern California, almost 85,000 in California, and over 750,000 nationwide. Head Start provides comprehensive, high-quality services that also support health, nutrition, and family well-being.  

Head Start sets up children, families, and communities to succeed: 

• Head Start alumni are more likely to be kindergarten ready, graduate from high school, and secure stable jobs. 
• Head Start families are more engaged in their children’s learning and are more likely to advance their own education 
• Head Start parents are more likely to remain employed, find employment, or continue their own education. 
• Head Start provides critical services to children with disabilities. Almost 14,000 Californian children access disability services through Head Start annually. 

Head Start combines national standards with local engagement to create incredible outcomes. It's an investment with proven benefits, and it's well worth protecting. 

Learn more about Head Start in California here.