NEW HAVEN, Conn. — As sunlight fills Sandra Dill’s home, she reads a penguin picture book to a lively group of toddlers. Dill’s family child care business, running for 15 years, has seen each of her 13 grandchildren pass through, including 20-month-old Nathaniel. The cozy setting has been affectionately dubbed “grandma school” by Dill’s older grandchildren.
Four of Dill’s eight child care slots are funded by Head Start, a program supporting low-income families in America. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Head Start faces significant challenges due to federal funding cuts. The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced a reorganization, affecting Head Start employees in five regions, leaving many without a clear transition plan.
“I think it’s terrible,” Dill said, expressing concern for struggling families who rely on these services. The Head Start program, conceptualized by Ed Zigler, served nearly 40 million children to date. Despite its impact, it remains underfunded, reaching only a fraction of eligible families. The program uses a two-generation model, which combines child education and parental support, initially designed during President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.
Head Start’s funding woes are exacerbated by a federal freeze and staff layoffs. Carolina Reyes, director of Arco Iris Bilingual Children’s Center, highlights the precarious situation, noting that even brief funding delays can threaten operations. Joel Ryan of the Washington State Association of Head Start reported ongoing difficulties accessing the payment system, causing instability for many centers.
Despite these setbacks, Head Start maintains bipartisan support and widespread geographical presence. Advocates like Tommy Sheridan of the National Head Start Association remain optimistic about the program’s future. However, state-level initiatives are stepping up as potential federal support wanes. New Mexico, Vermont, and other states are expanding child care access, potentially mitigating federal shortfalls.
As states consider further involvement, the hope is that increased accessibility will ensure Head Start’s legacy endures, continuing to provide critical support to families in need.
Support for this reporting was provided by the Better Life Lab at New America.
Contact editor Christina Samuels at 212-678-3635 or samuels@hechingerreport.org.
This story about Head Start was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.
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