US EditionCrossman: Head Start at risk
- In 2024, Vermont’s federally funded early childhood programs supported 1,249 vulnerable children, with $27.7 million allocated to sustain services delivered by a workforce of 450 staff members.
- Concerns arose because the upcoming federal budget proposal could reduce or eliminate funding despite recent drafts not targeting Head Start.
- Building Bright Futures and other advocates stress these programs improve long-term outcomes like graduation rates and health while being vital to Vermont’s early childhood infrastructure.
- Nationally, Head Start serves about 800,000 children at an annual cost of roughly $13,700 per pupil, and advocates sent over 300,000 letters and 50,000 petition signatures to Congress to protect the $12.3 billion program.
- Delays and funding uncertainty risk staff layoffs and program closures, threatening decades of progress in equitable access to high-quality early childhood services for vulnerable families.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Commentary: Head Start at risk: The vital need for proactive funding solutions
As Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council is named in the Federal Head Start Act, Building Bright Futures (BBF) is deeply concerned about reports that the upcoming federal budget proposal may eliminate Head Start and Early Head Start. These programs…
Cal Matters
Head Start gets a reprieve from Trump budget cuts, but the fight isn’t over
In summary Head Start staff and advocates launched a nationwide campaign to save the program, which Trump eliminated in his budget draft. Chalk one up for the 4-year-olds. Thanks to a relentless onslaught of pleading, cajoling, lobbying and public pressure, Head Start appears to have dodged the federal budget axe — for the time being. Last month, President Donald Trump’s early budget draft called for the elimination of Head Start, the free early…
Trump’s budget proposal includes Head Start funding; WV program director ‘relieved’
The White House has reversed course on a proposal to eliminate funding for Head Start, a long-standing preschool program that serves low-income families. Nearly 8,000 children in West Virginia rely on the program’s free services. The office of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. confirmed on May 5, 2025 that President Donald Trump’s recent budget proposal, which was sent to Congress the week previous, did not propose cutting funding for Head Star…
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