Lacking Critical Funds Needed to Give Kids a Head Start

Sacramento, CA – Head Start California today issued the following statement to express concern that the federal Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which was recently marked up in the Senate Appropriations Committee, does not include funding needed to address current needs of California’s Head Start programs.

The federal bill includes a 0.7% increase in funding for Head Start, which translates to a cut for Head Start as costs to provide Head Start services grow due to rising inflation.

“We thank the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee for allocating funding for Head Start above the president’s budget request, but note that this essentially flat funding equals a real-world cut in an era of rampant inflation,” said Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California. “Nationally, we are seeing Head Start classrooms close because they cannot keep up with the increasing cost of providing the quality services that Head Start delivers.”

“Head Start is a vital part of California’s early learning and care system, providing critically needed parent-choice programs that support children and working parents. Head Start provides access to reliable child care and early education, allowing parents to work or pursue job training.”

“Without full funding for the true costs of Head Start programs, this essential workforce infrastructure is at risk and services that Head Start families rely on, such as developmental screenings, health care, and family case management, will be limited.”

“We call on California’s Congressional delegation to put our children first and to champion Head Start as a vital part of California’s early learning and care system. We urge all members of Congress to invest the federal funds that are needed to maintain essential Head Start services for eligible children and families. Head Start California looks forward to working with Congress through the completion of the funding process to secure the resources needed to provide the services that benefit children and families and strengthen our communities and our nation.”