Advocacy powers Head Start and Early Head Start.
As the power behind our nation's flagship early learning program, Head Start and Early Head Start staff instinctively advocate for children, families, their workplaces, and their communities. NHSA's legislative and political advocacy advances the profession and the cause of our youngest learners. NHSA's members and advocates work in every part of the preschool universe—from the classroom, to providing support to new and expecting families at home, to driving buses, and more—and NHSA has affiliate organizations in every state and region of the nation.
Take Action for Head Start
Take Action for Head Start: Congress needs to hold the line for Head Start as it works toward finalizing appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025.
Join NHSA’s Head Start Advocacy Network
NHSA relies on your voice for our advocacy and engagement in Washington, D.C., and across the country. Sign up for our mailing list to receive our action alerts and updates on policy issues relevant to Head Start.
Sign-On Letters
NHSA leads and joins letters to those in positions of power requesting that they take action.
Federal Register Comments
NHSA files written submissions on issues related to Head Start in the Federal Register.
Congressional Testimony
NHSA routinely provide testimony to the Senate and House committees of Congress.
Explore NHSA's Advocacy Tools
Recording: Congressional Program Visits
Program Recording: Congressional Program Visits: An Impactful Way to Illustrate the Value of Head Start Program Description: You can describe to a member of Congress or their staff the value your program provides to children, families, and the community in an email, a letter, a phone call, or a meeting in the member’s office. But…
Recording: Empowering Your Parent Council for Advocacy
Program Recording: Empowering Your Parent Council for Advocacy Description: As you know, Head Start Policy Councils are composed of Head Start preschool and Early Head Start parents and community members. With parent members often joining after serving on a parent committee and community members taking a special interest in the broader benefits of Head Start, the members…
Recording: Advocacy: What is it? How to do it!
Program: Advocacy: What is it? How to do it! Description: The lack of funding needed so that programs can implement the Final rule without having to cut large numbers of children and their families from programs has put Head Start in a funding crisis. We need everyone to step up their advocacy capacity and skills. This webinar…
Recording: Head Start Advocacy: Voting Counts!
The Recording of Head Start Advocacy: Voting Counts! shares how Head Start parents and programs can support voter registration and more.
Explore NHSA's Policy Resources
Confronting Head Start’s Workforce Crisis
Between low compensation, challenging job conditions, and better opportunities with better pay, the Head Start workforce is in crisis.
Lead Exposure & Safe Drinking Water
This resource helps individuals and Head Start programs assess potential risks of exposure to lead through drinking water.
The Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts to Head Start
A proposed $750 million budget cut to Head Start would leave roughly 80,000 fewer children with access to Head Start and Early Head Start.