Head Start Celebrates 60 Years of Empowering Children and Families Nationwide

Alexandria, Va. — This Sunday, May 18 marked the 60th anniversary of one of the nation’s most impactful early learning programs, Head Start. Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has transformed the lives of more than 40 million children and families across the nation, providing comprehensive early learning and child care, better health and nutrition, and parent involvement services to eligible families across the United States.

To mark this historic milestone, many local Head Start programs are celebrating in different ways. The National Head Start Association (NHSA) has several initiatives planned, including:

• release of a new anthem titled “We Are Head Start,” a heartfelt tribute to the program’s enduring legacy and future. The song celebrates the resilience and unity of the Head Start community, with lyrics that echo the core mission of ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
• an interactive map, “The Voices of Head Start” is a living archive with stories from every state and many congressional districts that capture the breadth and depth of the program’s impact. A team of seasoned journalists interviewed 60 members of the Head Start community to tell their stories. Individuals can also share their stories for inclusion on the map.
• contacting members of Congress to encourage them to show support for programs going into the FY2026 Appropriations season.
• signing a virtual birthday card to share good wishes to reach one million people.

“For 60 years, Head Start has been more than a program — it’s been a promise. A promise that every child, no matter their circumstances, deserves the foundation to thrive,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director for the National Head Start Association. “From boosting lifelong health and learning to strengthening families and fueling local economies, Head Start transforms potential into progress — one child, one family, and one community at a time.”

For six decades and 11 administrations, Head Start has had a proven impact including children who are better prepared for kindergarten, graduate from high school and college, and experience long-term health benefits.

The Head Start anniversary is being commemorated with events across the country from now until the end of the year including storytelling campaigns by alumni and classroom celebrations. To learn more, visit birthday.nhsa.org and search #HappyBirthdayHeadStart on social media.