Statement on Head Start Improvement Act of 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the introduction of Head Start Improvement Act of 2017 by Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03), the following statement should be attributed to Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association: “Head Start has been an effective and strong program delivering an advantage to our nation’s children for more than 50 years. The current federal-to-local funding structure supports children’s long-term success by giving them access to services tailored locally in order to meet the community’s needs. While we disagree that Congressman Banks’ proposal would improve Head Start, we will work with him to ensure a bright future for Indiana’s, and our nation’s, most vulnerable children and their families.”

About NHSA

The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to realizing the promise of Head Start; that all children have a chance to succeed in school and in life. NHSA is the voice for nearly 700,000 children served by more than 250,000 staff every single day in rural, urban, and suburban communities in all 50 states. In 2025, we celebrate 60 years of service to 40 million children, their families, and communities across the country. ••• Media Contact: Lauren Lawson-Zilai; Senior Director, Communications; media@nhsa.org

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