In the early days of President Donald Trump’s administration, challenges emerged for the Head Start program, which supports over half a million low-income children by providing essential early education. The Trump administration’s decision to place a temporary freeze on federal grants, which form the cornerstone of Head Start’s funding, sparked widespread concern. Shortly after, technical issues with the funding platform led to the temporary closure of nearly 20 Head Start centers.
Though the grant freeze was eventually lifted and the funding site restored, the abrupt changes left program operators uneasy about future prospects. The situation worsened when the administration announced a series of layoffs affecting a large number of federal employees who play a crucial role in administering Head Start. This left many preschool operators in the dark, uncertain about whom to contact regarding their grants and necessary approvals for equipment purchases.
The potential risk to Head Start—a program critical to the lives of some of the nation’s neediest children and families—has prompted concerns among its administrators and supporters. Head Start was established around six decades ago during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty initiative and has typically received support from both sides of the political aisle. However, some Republican critique has centered on its perceived inefficiencies, and Project 2025, a plan crafted by the conservative Heritage Foundation, has proposed the complete elimination of Head Start.
Joel Ryan, who leads the Washington State Association of Head Start, fears the administration is slowly unraveling the program indirectly, circumventing conventional legislative measures. He points out that such programs can be severely hindered by cutting significant portions of their workforce without need for Congressional approval.
Head Start operates nationwide, offering assistance to families living in poverty or experiencing homelessness. Many parents who rely on the program would face severe difficulties affording child care otherwise. The importance of Head Start extends beyond early education; it is vital for the economy by allowing parents to work or pursue education themselves.
Concerns have grown after reports from the National Head Start Association indicated that several regional offices for Head Start were shut down due to Department of Health and Human Services layoffs. Although individual preschool funding has remained stable, cuts were implemented without any outlined strategy for how Head Start’s needs would be managed moving forward.
There is apprehension that the program might get caught in partisan crossfire. Rhett Cecil, executive director of the Indiana Head Start Association, insists that Head Start must stay clear of political agendas; it is crucial for families regardless of their political affiliations. In mid-March, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised the program during a visit to a Head Start in Alexandria, Virginia, recognizing its educational and social benefits for children.
Nonetheless, advocates fear that Republican fiscal policies could inevitably impact programs like Head Start. Staff layoffs have compounded worries; for instance, preschools in Washington state have faced delays in obtaining approvals for urgent infrastructure and equipment needs. Ryan expresses concerns that funding could be jeopardized if grant applications are left unprocessed.
The de facto halt to federal grants became apparent in January as Head Start leaders convened for a conference near the White House. Panic ensued as leaders discovered simultaneously that they could no longer access their funds. Chanda Hillman, executive director of Early Flowers Learning, had to make the tough decision to close all 17 Head Start campuses operated by the group in Michigan.
Kahli Lorenz, whose daughter attends Early Flowers, faced the unsettling reality of school closure. She worried about finding childcare while being out of town for an advisory council meeting. Her absence from work would cause her family to lose a day’s income, while at the same time fearing for dozens of other families in the same situation thanks to the freeze.
In Indiana, similar concerns were shared by Cecil, who heard about the looming freeze from a fellow Head Start director. As Indiana’s 78th largest employer, Head Start’s closure would significantly impact both families and its 4,000 strong workforce. Confusion arose when it was revealed Head Start wasn’t initially intended to be a part of the funding freeze. Despite claims that issues had been resolved, access to funds remained blocked for some centers, pushing them to the brink of closure.
Some Head Start programs, such as those in Wisconsin and Western New York, had to temporarily shut down and furlough staff while waiting for grant access. This left hundreds of families without essential care services.
In response to the crisis, members of Congress from both parties engaged in efforts to provide answers for Head Start programs, offering some assurance of continued bipartisan support. Despite opposition from some conservative circles, advocates like Hillman remain hopeful that the essential service Head Start provides to vulnerable communities will continue to receive needed backing.