Statement on Passing of Dr. Robert Cooke
Dr. Robert Cooke with a patient in 1982.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Sunday, February 2, 2014, Dr. Robert Cooke, a pediatrician who worked with Presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson to create Head Start, died at age 93. The following statement should be attributed to Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association:
“Robert Cooke was a great visionary whose lifetime of advocacy and tireless efforts molded Head Start into the nation’s preeminent early childhood education program. Dr. Cooke’s life is a moving reminder that Head Start was and continues to be an intentional national commitment to our most vulnerable children. From the beginning, Dr. Cooke’s work on a team of America’s best and brightest cross-disciplinary minds—pediatricians, psychologists, sociologists, child development and education experts—was anchored by a profound belief that Head Start would be game-changer in the lives of poor children and families. Dr. Cooke’s vision continues to inspire and fortify the Head Start community.”
In Recent News
Potential Government Shutdown Statement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of a potential federal shutdown, Executive Director of the National Head Start Association Yasmina Vinci released the following statement: “No matter the length, a federal shutdown has the potential to unleash a wave of uncertainty and hardship on the children and their families who depend on Early Head Start and Head…
Head Start Alumnus Sen. Warnock Introduces HEADWAY Act to Increase Access to Early Head Start Programs
Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) keynoted the National Head Start Association’s Fall Leadership Institute and, during his address, introduced the bipartisan HEADWAY Act (Head Start Education and Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act). The legislation, which is co-led by Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), is designed to address early child care workforce shortages by…
11 Head Start Programs Earn Program of Excellence Accreditation
Washington, D.C. – This week during the Fall Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C., the National Head Start Association (NHSA) recognized the outstanding performance of 11 Head Start grant recipients as part of NHSA’s 2023-28 Program of Excellence Accreditation. The Program of Excellence recognizes and supports the outstanding performance of Head Start grant recipients nationwide who…