Statement on Senate Committee Passage of the Strong Start for America’s Children Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement should be attributed to Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association, on the Senate Committee’s passage of the Strong Start for America’s Children Act:

“The Strong Start for America’s Children Act is a testament to our shared national commitment of ensuring every child has access to the meaningful and lasting benefits of high-quality, early learning programs, like Head Start. We applaud the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, chaired by Senator Harkin, for their leadership in expanding the availability of these programs to children and families in need of an opportunity.

As a leader in the early childhood field, Head Start targets our most at-risk children and is the national model for the delivery of a flexible, locally adapted, comprehensive two-generational approach to early childhood education. We are pleased the Strong Start Act builds upon existing early learning programs in order to ensure services that best meet the needs of each local community. Local flexibility is crucial to maintaining consistent, high-quality services that are effectively placing families on the path to self-sufficiency.”

About NHSA

The National Head Start Association is committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in school and in life. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier, empowered children and families, and stronger, more vibrant communities. NHSA is the voice for more than 840,000 children and families from systemically underserved populations, 250,000 staff, and 1,600 Head Start grant recipients. ••• Media Contact: Emily Wagner, Director of Communications, media@nhsa.org

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More