Toolkit: STAND FOR Head Start

State Of Play

June 2, 2025

White House Budget

The full White House budget request was sent to Congress on Friday afternoon. After weeks of uncertainty around potential cuts or elimination, the final request included level funding for Head Start. The budget summary is here; we expect the Congressional Justification from ACF later this week.

From the Budget Summary: Modernizing Head Start: HHS will continue to support the needs of the more than 675,000 children and their parents in the Head Start program, which directly supports local-level institutions, including faith-based centers. The budget proposes a set of reforms, which aims to cut the red tape which prevents America’s most vulnerable children from getting the services they need. In addition, these reforms will increase parental choice, enhance efficiency, promote parental engagement, and improve health, education, and employment outcomes. HHS will also focus on program oversight, including removing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Appropriations

As Congress continues negotiations around the FY26 budget, Members join “Dear Colleague” letters to underscore support for funding for specific programs. This year, a record number of freshman lawmakers and first time signers showed their support for Head Start.

The Republican Head Start letter, led by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), had more signers (34) than in any of the past five years. 34% of them were first time signers.
The Democratic Head Start letter, led by Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), also had unprecedented levels of support (185 overall) with 35 new signers, 18 of whom were freshman lawmakers.

May 13, 2025

Happy Birthday, Head Start! To celebrate, please join our Day of Action this Thursday, May 15th.

The #1 Ask: Urge your Member of Congress to sign the appropriation letters in support of Head Start.

Contact your Member of Congress: Wish Head Start a Happy 60th Birthday by helping to build support for this important program! Click the link and send an email to your Member of Congress and ask them to sign on to their party’s “Dear Colleague” letters showing support for Head Start and all the children and families it serves. https://www.ffyf.org/take-action/
Post on Social Media: Then keep the party going tagging your Member in a post on social media with the copy below.
- @YOURMEMBER: Head Start helps so many children and families in our district. Please show your support by signing on to the Dear Colleague letters led by Rep. Stauber or Rep. Hayes TODAY! #HappyBirthdayHeadStart https://www.ffyf.org/take-action/

May 12, 2025

FFYF has a collection of clear, easy-to-navigate maps with data about Head Start in every state and congressional district. These maps provide valuable insights into program slots, age and eligibility of children, funding, and more at the state and Congressional district levels. This First Five Things offers a guide through the maps; the maps themselves are found HERE.

May 2, 2025

This morning, the White House released a letter providing President Trump’s recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Also known as the “skinny budget,” the letter contains $163 billion in proposed spending cuts across multiple federal agencies. (It is expected that the White House will release its full Budget Request to Congress later this month.)

Despite earlier reports, the White House budget request does not include the elimination of Head Start. This is welcome news and we remain optimistic that the President’s upcoming, more comprehensive budget request will also continue to fund this program.

WHAT’S NEXT

As a community, one of the most important things we can do in the next 2 weeks is to continue to build support in Congress for Head Start by circulating the Republican and Democratic “Dear Colleague” letters and urging Members to sign.

Direct To Member: Please help circulate the Republican and Democratic letters of support in THIS LINK to Members and encourage them to sign on.

Rally Our People: And please use this action alert on social media, email alerts, and newsletter updates to encourage your networks, partners, and community to also ask their Members to sign the letters.

April 29, 2025

FFYF commissioned a snap poll from Republican pollster Robert Blizzard from UpONE Insights to help highlight support. Full memo coming soon, but findings include:

Across the board, voters support federal funding for child care and early learning. Three out of four voters (72%) believe federal funding for child care and early learning programs for families with low incomes is a good investment of taxpayer money, including:

62% of Republicans
64% of Independents
83% of Democrats.

Support for Head Start is strong across the political spectrum. Four out of five (79%) voters say they support Head Start, including:

73% of Republicans
74% of Trump voters,
76% of Independents
86% of Democrats.

April 17, 2025

Last night, a leaked memo from the Office of Management and Budget showed the upcoming White House budget proposal to Congress will contain drastic cuts to programs across Health and Human Services, including the full elimination of Head Start. This is in line with rumors reported by USA Today last Friday.

A president’s budget proposal is a request – Congress has the ultimate authority on what makes it in the final budget. It is imperative that Members hear from us NOW, ahead of the release of the White House budget request.

The Message: Congress must reject any proposal to eliminate Head Start.

The Action: Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to stop the elimination of Head Start. It’s critical that they weigh in on the need to protect Head Start before the White House budget request is released.

From the Leaked Memo:

Axios: “Ending the program, which provides early childhood education, nutrition and health care help to nearly 800,000 kids and their families, would have “catastrophic” consequences for some of the poorest people in the U.S. — with outsized impacts in rural communities.”
Washington Post: “Money for the Head Start program, which provides early child care and education for low-income families and is funded by HHS’s Administration for Children and Families, would be eliminated. ‘The federal government should not be in the business of mandating curriculum, locations and performance standards for any form of education,’ the document says.”

April 15, 2025

On April 11, USA Today reported that the Trump White House is seriously considering eliminating funding for Head Start in its FY26 budget proposal. While unconfirmed, this rumor is deeply concerning. It is important to take action right now and urge Congress to protect Head Start and oppose any effort to weaken or eliminate it.

It is also important to remember that a White House budget request is a guiding document or “wish list” that allows the President to showcase his administration’s priorities. According to the Constitution, only Congress has the authority to make decisions about which agencies, programs, and activities receive funding and at what levels. This is accomplished through the appropriations process.

We need to make it very clear to Congress that they must stand up for Head Start. It has strong, bipartisan support in Congress. And we have seen supportive statements from Secretary Kennedy and others at HHS for the program. But right now, we need Members to weigh in to protect Head Start before the White House finalizes its budget proposal.

Our message is simple: Protect our kids. Protect Head Start.

Take Action – Week of June 2

Share District-Level Data With Members: As the House and Senate continue conversations around FY2026 Appropriations funding, build support by underscoring the impact Head Start has in each Member’s district. One Example: @[MemberName] Please protect and prioritize Head Start funding in the FY2026 budget! More than [NUMBER] young children in your district benefit from this imoprtant program. #HeadStart https://www.ffyf.org/head-start-maps/
Sign This Letter Of Support: If you’re a Head Start parent, caregiver, or former Head Start student or family member, sign the NHSA letter to the President and Congress to protect this life-changing program. Then share it widely!

The Message To Congress

Stand for Head Start. Protect and prioritize this important program.

Head Start has been making a difference for over sixty years. Since the beginning, it’s reached more than 40 million Americans—giving kids a strong start through early learning, nutritious meals, and health services.

Head Start serves hundreds of thousands of children who live in poverty, are in foster care, or who experience homelessness.

To be eligible for Head Start, families must have incomes at or below the poverty level, meaning $26,650 for a family of three and $32,150 for a family of four.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds Head Start programs through competitive grants awarded to local organizations in all 50 states. These grantees oversee multiple Head Start program sites across various locations. Head Start programs operate in every Congressional district in the nation.

Head Start has had sustained and bipartisan support for decades, through eleven Administrations.

Data At A Glance

$26,650 or less: Income level at which a family of three qualifies for Head Start
17,000: Number of Head Start/Early Head Start centers operating nationwide, serving families in every Congressional district

Building On Existing Support

As we continue to build and showcase past and present support for Head Start, here are examples from Republican Members of Congress. This list can also be found as a stand-alone and shareable list HERE. (A list of Democratic Members of Congress quotes in support of Head Start can be found HERE.)

In a 2025 poll from Republican pollster Robert Blizzard, 79% of voters say they support Head Start, including 73% of Republicans.
In a 2023 poll from Republican pollster Public Opinion Strategies, 80% of voters say they supported providing more funding to Head Start to support families with the greatest needs, including 71% of Republicans and 89% of all parents.
“I had a very inspiring tour [of a Head Start program]. I saw a devoted staff and a lot of happy children. They are getting the kind of education and socialization they need, and they are also getting a couple of meals a day.” – Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“Head Start programs are instrumental in providing educational opportunities that help children cultivate new skills and prepare them for a lifetime of success.” – Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
“I have been a strong supporter of Head Start throughout my time in Congress because I believe in the potential of every West Virginia child. By supporting programs that give our children the tools they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond, we can help ensure their future is filled with opportunity.” – Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
“Education is one of the most important building blocks for success, and quality learning and development in the earliest years makes a world of difference in the lives of our children. I am grateful for the tools Head Start provides, ensuring all children can have a solid foundation for learning and thriving in school.” – Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)
“Access to a good education is one of the most important tools we can give our children. From health services to educational programs—Head Start provides critical assistance to many families across South and West Texas. Before being elected to Congress, I served on the San Antonio Head Start Policy Council to ensure our children have the resources they need to put their best foot forward in life.” – Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX)
“Head Start programs have filled an important need in our communities by providing meals, health care screenings and pre-K education for children of low-income families. I’m encouraged to see these resources authorized through the CARES Act coming back to our communities to support the needs of local children during these challenging times.” – Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)
“The Lusk Head Start program promotes school readiness for our youngest students in Niobrara County. It was a delight to share a story with some of these bright kids today. These valuable programs help ensure children across Wyoming have the opportunity to succeed early in life.” – Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)
“My second #RivertoRiver visit for the day was a tour of the Charles City Head Start program. Thank you to all our rural child care providers for everything you do for our kids!” – Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)
“The expansion of Early Head Start in these seven counties will provide support for young children at a critical stage in their development. I supported the Institute of Community Services’ application for this funding. They have a long track record of providing comprehensive support services to Mississippi families in need.” — Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)
“Head Start programs across the state have been instrumental in improving children’s physical, social, and intellectual development. I’m pleased the Department of Health and Human Services is directing this significant funding to support Mississippi youths.” — Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
“I’m honored to receive @NatlHeadStart’s PROMISE Award! Engaging with Head Start centers throughout the First District is always a highlight, and I am so grateful for all they do to responsibly invest in our youth.” – Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT)
“I remember sitting around the dinner table with my mother and sharing tears of some of these tough stories of kids, but also the incredible changes of these kids. I’m a firm believer in Head Start.” – Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC)
“The positive impacts of Head Start’s Services is clear. Head Start children make progress in language, literacy, and math, while also demonstrating significant gains in social-emotional and cognitive development. They are also more likely to receive health screenings, immunizations, and develop healthy lifestyle patterns…. We want to acknowledge Head Start’s critical role in addressing the needs of working families and children who have experienced trauma…” – Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), then-Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)
“Education in the early years of a child’s life is important to putting them on the path to success, both in school and for the rest of their lives. I am pleased UAPB [Head Start] will continue to play an important role for so many young Arkansans.” – Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
“One of the things I did as a member of the Congress was to make sure that we protected the Head Start programs around the country, giving people the opportunity to pick and choose the place that they send their children.” – Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)
“In total, Head Start programs are building a strong foundation for the future successes of more than 15,000 young Kentuckians. Supporting our children in their educational development from an early age is a top priority, and I am very pleased to see this much-needed funding going towards such an important cause.” – Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
“Head Start provides important and valuable resources to help children succeed when they start school.” – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
“The SLU Head Start program, the teachers, and the staff truly give vulnerable children a head start.” – Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
“Head Start is an important program for many Arkansas children. It was great to visit with @ARHSSCO advocates to hear their enthusiasm about its role and how we can continue to support learning, development and overall health in young kids.” – Sen. John Boozman (R-AR)
“As a father and grandfather, I know how critical the early years of our children’s lives are to their development and education, These grants will help provide important resources to children and families in Jackson, Williamson, and Jefferson counties so that they can succeed in the classroom.” – Rep. Mike Bost (IL)
“I have advocated for Head Start funding in Congress because I know it helps residents in mid and northern Michigan and I will continue to work across the aisle to support this important program.” – Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI)
“Miami Valley Child Development Centers has been serving low-income children and families since the inception of Head Start, and I am glad that they have received these federal funds to continue as the Dayton area’s grantee for this essential program.” – Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH)
“This is something that will benefit a large percentage of the population. We must place a greater focus at an early age on educating our next generation.” – Rep. James Comer (R-KY) [Note: Referencing a new Head Start building]
“Head Start gives every child — regardless of circumstances at birth — a chance to succeed in school and in life.” – Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA)
Last year, 33 House Republicans signed a letter to Appropriators in support of Head Start and calling for it to be funded “at the highest level the Subcommittee deems possible.” These include: Reps. Pete Stauber (R-MN), Kelly Armstrong (former R-ND), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Mike Bost (R-IL), Mike Carey (R-OH), Aumua Amata Coleman (R-AS), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Jenniffer Gonzales-Colon (former R-PR), Garret Graves (R-LA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Dan Meuser (R-PA), Carol Miller (R-WV), Max Miller (R-OH), Marcus Molinaro (former R-NY), Zach Nunn (R-IA), John Rose (R-TN), Austin Scott (R-GA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), GT Thompson (R-PA), Michael Turner (R-OH), Brad Wenstrup (former R-OH), Joe Wilson (R-SC).
“Someone needs to tell ACF/HHS that Head Start is NOT solely an education program, that it does not mandate curriculum or locations and provides parents more agency than anything out there! Having worked as President Trump’s OHS Director during his first term, I am really shocked at this news. Head Start is the American Dream in action. Please help us send a message to Congress to fully fund Head Start.” – Dr. Deborah Bergeron, director of the Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the first Trump Administration

Resources and Media

Media

Associated Press: 5/14/25 – HHS Director Robert F. Kennedy assures Congress that funding for Head Start will not be cut in the upcoming budget.
TODAY SHOW: 5/5/25 – Jennifer Garner visiting a Head Start in North Carolina, talking about the importance of the program.
Associated Press: 5/2/25 – Head Start survives Trump administration budget proposal
USA Today: 5/5/25 – White House reverses course on proposal to eliminate Head Start

Resources

NHSA has state fact sheets about Head Start in all 50 states.
The FFYF Map has data on Head Start in every congressional district.
CAP has a map with data, including Head Start grants and programs.
The Head Start Poll shows support for Head Start across all demographics.