Head Start Honors Rep. Nita Lowey for Commitment to Children and Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Head Start community honored retiring Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) last week for her leadership in Congress on early education, maternal and infant care, and women’s health issues. In a resolution passed by the Board of Directors of the National Head Start Association on November 18, Chairwoman Lowey was applauded for her work as chair and ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee to improve the lives of children and families across the country by increasing funding for Head Start by nearly 40 percent over just eight years.
“A trailblazer and advocate, Ms. Lowey’s ability to lead with her values, work across the aisle, and achieve notable successes on behalf of children has endeared her to the Head Start community forever,” NHSA Board Chairman Damon Carson said in the resolution. “Ms. Lowey’s tremendous and steadfast congressional leadership has advanced the cause of early childhood education and Head Start programs nationwide. Her tenure in Congress is best captured by her ceaseless commitment to children and families, and among the Head Start community, her legacy is embodied by the countless lives she changed as she shaped Congress’ funding agenda for the betterment of our nation.”
Lowey will retire at the end of the year after 32 years in Congress. The funding increases she supported through the appropriations process for Head Start have strengthened and grown the prenatal-to-age five early childhood development and family support program by supporting the retention of a high-quality workforce, providing resources to address the mental health and behavioral challenges of at-risk children, expanding access to services for families with infants and toddlers, and extending the hours of service programs can offer the children and families they serve. When COVID-19 added another layer of difficulty in the lives of the Head Start community, Lowey responded quickly by securing a critical $750 million in emergency relief funding for programs nationwide to address unanticipated expenses created by the pandemic and continue serving as a stabilizing source of support for America’s most at-risk children and families.
The resolution concludes, “[T]he Head Start community reflects on Ms. Lowey’s time in Congress and is immensely grateful for the action she took time and again to further our shared commitment to children and families. Each year, she contributed to building Head Start’s foundation, expanding its reach, and securing its impact for generations to come.”
Read the full resolution, adopted on November 18, 2020.
In Recent News
Scott’s Miracle Gro-Foundation and National Head Start Association announce the winners of the 2023-2024 Garden Grants
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and NHSA are awarding 12 GroMoreGood garden grants to programs connecting our nation's youth to gardening.
NHSA’s Response to FY 2024 Appropriations Bill
NHSA is pleased to see a record investment of $12.27 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start in the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill signed into law by the President over the weekend.
The Beans and National Head Start Association Celebrate Two Years of Success Improving Employee Retention and Wellbeing for America’s Educators
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Beans, a financial technology startup, and National Head Start Association (NHSA), a pioneer in early childhood development and education, proudly mark the second anniversary of their partnership to reduce stress and support staff retention. Financial stress continues to rank as the most persistent form of stress in America, with teachers…