National Head Start Association
While exploring additional links of Head Start, I found myself in the archives which contained numerous stories on Head Start and it's constant budget and funding issues. I decided to look deeper into the archive articles and reports by states. I found some very interesting articles about how the program is supported through advocacy efforts throughout the country. As decisions were being discussed about cuts to the program, South Carolina students, teachers, and parents built a city using show boxes, construction paper, glue and their own ideas as an effort to show the value of Head Start through learning. In Florida, parents and staff members loaded their babies in strollers and march to their Congressman's office to protest budget cuts. Texas parents also protesed at their congressman's office. Four year old children and teachers in Illinois also vistited their Congressman's office in an effort to support cuts to the program.
State Rep Tony Hwang is another supporter of the Head Start program. He credits the program in Syracuse, NY for with being where he is today. He learned English through the Head Start program, and considers it an excellent opportunity to learn and develop skills.
The economy has caused an increase in the unemployment rate, and more people are living below the poverty line. The need for the Head Start program has increased due to the economy, but Head Start is only able to serve less than fifty percent of eligible children, with only five to six percent of children needing early services able to access programs. As a part of Head Start Awareness month, Head Start has re-affirmed their commitment to making sure every eligible child has access to the program. For many years, the program has helped struggling families living below the poverty line with getting children ready for school, parenting skills, and health issues and it has been a great asset to communities and families.
National Head Start Associationhttp://www.nhsa.org/
(Newsletter: http://www.nhsa.org/news_and_advocacy/advocacy/legislative_eupdate )
Head Start and Early Head Start are often the targets of budget cuts. Most research shows their benefits to young children, families, and society as a whole. However, there will always be the naysayers that speak of how head start is failing. What they fail to mention is that it is failing because it does not have enough funding to reach all of the families that it is designed to reach. I was told by an early head start representative from our region that she has to send out wait list notices to at least 50 families per site every year. These are just the families who attempted to enroll because they were aware of the program. It is unfortunate that early childhood advocates have to fight so hard every year to ensure funding for beneficial early childhood programs.
ReplyDeleteHead Start has provided early learning services to children and families for the last 46 years and Early Head Start has provided services for infants/toddlers/expectant families for the last 17 years. It is a wonderful program and in my last 10+ years of service to Head Start/Early Head Start I can proudly say that I have supported the success of children to thrive in the classrooms AND families to thrive in our communities. I have witnessed parents get GEDs, AA degrees, BA degrees, jobs, houses, participate in family reunification and many other successes because of Head Start. I have accompanied parents to Senators and House of Representative offices to present children's art work and tell of their success stories. We will continue to advocate with strong unified voices so the Head Start/Early Head Start programs can continue to provide great services.
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