This year is the 60th anniversary of Head Start, the preschool program for 3- to 5-year-olds and their families that are experiencing poverty. 

The Head Start program began with the goal of breaking the poverty cycle for young children. Head Start goes beyond just providing a classroom experience, these programs also provide medical and dental care for children, meals and baby formula, and education programs – like GED courses – for parents and caregivers. Additionally, Head Start ensures children with challenging behaviors due to disabilities or past trauma have a secured child care environment and does not expel children for any reason. 

In 1995, the Early Head Start program began serving children from birth to age three. Head Start and Early Head Start services provide home visiting programs from prenatal care through age five to further meet the needs of the families the program serves.  

As the federal government looks for ways to trim the budget, there has been discussion that Head Start funds could be eliminated – with devastating consequences for families and communities across the country and the Commonwealth. 

Most of the families enrolled in Head Start programs are living and working in poverty. Head Start also saves 10% of its available slots to serve children with disabilities. Recent data from Dr. Walter Gilliam at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute showed that two out of three children expelled from a child care program were expelled due to the behaviors associated with their disabilities, so Head Start has served as a critical support for many children with disabilities. 

Why is Head Start so important to Kentucky?  

  • In 2024, there were 16,034 children in Kentucky that were served in Head Start, Early Head Start, or Migrant Head Start. These children may have been served in Head Start facilities, or they could have been served in private child care programs that partner with Head Start and Early Head Start to make sure that there is enough quality child care for the children and families that need it. 
  • Head Start programs are a critical support for many children with disabilities, as they are more likely to be suspended or expelled from private child care programs when the program doesn’t have the necessary resources to care for these children. 
  • Head Start serves many working families – many parents working two or three jobs to support their families. They are frequently making minimum wages and need Head Start support services to ensure their children are safe and cared for while at work to make ends meet.
  • A loss of Head Start programs will dramatically impact communities and local economies. Head Start employees – Community Action Councils, public school employees, and non-profit employees – could lose their jobs and families served by Head Start wouldn’t be able to work without these services.  
  • Head Start provides career services to help parents and caregivers obtain their GED and pursue a career. 
  • Head Start and Early Head Start help prepare vulnerable children to be successful in elementary school. Without the educational support services offered by Head Start, many more Kentucky children will struggle in kindergarten. 2024 Kentucky KIDS COUNT data shows that only 48% of Kentucky’s kindergarten students were prepared to be successful upon entering kindergarten, and the Commonwealth can not afford for even more students to be at risk.

Take Action 

As the federal government assembles its budget proposals, now is the time for Kentucky families to reach out and explain why Head Start is so essential in our state and their family and community. Reach out to your US Senator or Congressman and let them know that Head Start is important to Kentucky.

To find the elected officials for your district, click here to look them up based on your address.