NHSA Start Recognizes Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) as Congressional Champion for Children and Families

PROMISE Award presented during Head Start on the Hill event
January 28, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) honored Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) with the 2026 Protecting Our Most Important Students Early (PROMISE) Award in recognition of her steadfast leadership and support of Head Start programs and the families they serve.

The PROMISE Award honors members of Congress who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to protecting and strengthening Head Start and ensuring access to comprehensive early learning opportunities nationwide. A longtime champion of Head Start and a key member of the Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Hyde-Smith’s leadership on early childhood issues reflects her broader dedication to investing in young children and the systems that support their development.

“Strong early learning programs depend on strong champions in Congress,” said NHSA Executive Director Yasmina Vinci. “Senator Hyde-Smith understands that Head Start is not just an education program, it is a lifeline for families and a foundation for long-term success. We thank her for standing with Head Start children, families, and staff.”

Senator Hyde-Smith received the PROMISE Award during NHSA’s annual Head Start Breakfast on the Hill, held in conjunction with NHSA’s 2026 Winter Leadership Institute. The event brings together Head Start parents, alumni, staff, and advocates from across the country to meet with members of Congress and share firsthand stories about the impact of Head Start in their communities.