Protect America’s Children & Working Families: Speak up for Head Start
Dear Members of Congress:
More than ___ organizations, businesses, and partners in every corner of the country, representing _____ members and employees, are writing to express our support for Head Start and urge you to do everything in your power to strengthen this foundation for future leaders and strong communities.
The last 60 years have demonstrated that the best decisions in Head Start are made locally. That’s why Head Start prides itself on being a national network with local control: every Head Start program tailors its services to meet the unique needs of the children, families, and communities it serves.
Head Start empowers children inside and outside the classroom by building essential foundations for early childhood learning, giving them the academic and developmental skills they’ll need for school. But Head Start does more than prepare children to succeed in school.
Head Start provides affordable child care, allowing parents and caregivers to focus on their education, careers, and job training. Head Start also catalyzes growth in rural, urban, and suburban communities across the U.S. In areas where it operates, Head Start partners with small businesses, hires and spends locally, and is a major employer in many communities.
Head Start delivers lasting benefits for the next generation of families, communities, and ultimately, American taxpayers. Children who attend Head Start are more likely to graduate from both high school and college and secure stable employment. Families of Head Start benefit from greater stability and have higher rates of workforce participation. Every dollar invested in Head Start returns seven to nine dollars annually back to local communities through small businesses, jobs, and less government dependence.
In rural communities, where child care options are already scarce, the elimination of or significant cuts to Head Start would be especially devastating because it is very often the only available option for parents and caregivers seeking to enter or remain in the workforce.
More than 40 million children and their families have benefited from Head Start. This benefits all of us because strong families and strong communities power our nation.
Cutting funding to or eliminating Head Start will not help the nation or our local communities achieve their goals or save taxpayer dollars. It will, however, result in the disruption of work for hundreds of thousands of Head Start parents and caregivers as well as more than 250,000 Americans employed by Head Start, and cause long-term harm to nearly 700,000 of our nation’s most vulnerable children.
As Congress develops its fiscal year 2026 spending plan:
- we ask you to stand with us and strengthen Head Start for the children, families, and communities who need it most;
- we urge you to support strong funding for Head Start, including a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for staff and allowing programs to address critical local needs; and
- we implore you to look at Head Start as not just a line item but as a launchpad for America’s youngest learners and a lifeline for working parents and caregivers.
Head Start is a proven, time-tested program that unlocks the doors to opportunity for children and families – and strengthens local economies – across our great nation. Your support will allow this life-changing program to continue ensuring children and families are successful in school, work, and in life, ultimately leading to greater prosperity for our communities and future generations.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
(signed businesses/organizations)
