DEI Resources: Supporting AAPI Communities

Head Start proudly partners with families in every community across the country, embracing diversity as a strength and celebrating cultural differences. As we have spoken with Head Start leaders whose programs support predominantly Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) families, many have expressed fear and worry for their safety and for the emotional well-being of the children and families they support. We hear these fears and we are compelled to address them by amplifying their voices and offering the support that each individual community needs.

Head Start’s children—and all children—deserve a future that is free from hate. Head Start embraces the role of educating children on anti-racism and empathy from an early age and equipping families to have difficult conversations around race and racism.

Supporting AAPI Community During COVID-19

Responding to AAPI Hate

  • How to Respond to Coronavirus Racism (Learning for Justice)
  • Responding to Hate: Information and Resources (Anti-Defamation League)
  • Speaking Up Against Racism Around the Coronavirus (Learning for Justice)
  • Show Up: Your Guide to Bystander Intervention (Hollaback!)
  • Report Hate Crimes (Stop AAPI Hate)

Talking to Children About Racism

Understanding Bias

  • Bias Buster Basics and Bias Buster Essentials (NHSA)
  • The Unconscious Bias: An Educator’s Self-Assessment (First Book)
  • Start with Equity: Data, Research and an Actionable Policy Agenda (Children’s Equity Project, in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center)

Promoting Empathy

  • Resources for Race, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion (We Need Diverse Books)
  • The Stories for All Project: Asian & Pacific Islander Characters & Cultures (First Book)
  • Books with Asian and Asian American Characters (Common Sense)
  • Asian & Asian American Children’s Books (Lee and Low Books)
  • Who’s Missing? Asian and Pacific Islander American Biographies (We Need Diverse Books)

Practicing Trauma-Informed Care

  • Fostering Healing Through Trauma-Informed Practices (Office of Head Start)
  • Trauma Toolkit for Educators (First Book)
  • Equity in Early Childhood Education Collection (New America)

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