Head Start and Early Head Start are absolutely critical to Georgia families, communities, and businesses; we must work collectively to protect funding for these programs.
The future of Head Start hangs in the balance. Recent reports indicate that the current administration is considering a budget proposal that, if enacted, would completely eliminate Head Start.
Head Start and Early Head Start provide high-quality early childhood education and wraparound services to young children across the state, promoting the well-being of Georgia’s families and communities; we must work collectively to protect funding for these programs.
Here’s what you can do today:
Use our Action Alert to easily let your Member of Congress know that eliminating Head Start would be catastrophic for Georgia families.
Invite fellow advocates to join you in communicating the importance of Head Start to Members of Congress. We provide the postcards and talking points—you bring your personal stories and collective commitment to protecting this crucial program.
Our ready-to-use social media graphics and posts will help you share key Head Start facts and talking points with your network of friends, family, and coworkers.
The Vocal Video platform makes it easy for you to record your story via video or audio to amplify the impact of Head Start in Georgia.
Invite your Member of Congress to visit a Head Start program in their district when they’re home for recess. As their constituent, you can show them how integral Head Start is to child and family-well being in the district. Connect with a GEEARS staff member to prepare for the visit by emailing csanders@geears.org.
Key Considerations
- Head Start Allows Parents to Work. Head Start provides early care and education services to children whose parents work at employers across the state, from chicken processing plants to manufacturing to the tourism and service industry. Without child care, parents cannot work.
- Head Start Plays a Particularly Important Role in Rural Communities. In Georgia, more than 1 in 4 child care slots in rural communities are provided by Head Start. Head Start is also a major employer in these small communities. More than 6,000 Georgians are employed by Head Start programs across the state.
- Head Start More than Pays for Itself. Researchers estimate that the federal government makes between 5 and 9 percent more per year than the cost of the program for every child it puts through Head Start, due to savings on public assistance.
Resources:
In the News:
- Hechinger Report: As federal dollars for Head Start slow, rural parents left without other options
- 11 Alive: Georgia’s Head Start program faces an uncertain future due to Trump proposal
- 13WMAZ: Just heartbreaking | Central Georgia locals reeling after leaked proposal to cut Head Start funding
- Georgia Recorder: Can we afford the cost of cutting Head Start?