Policy Principles

Download the Head Start California Policy Platform

Head Start California is dedicated to fighting for your programs and your families at the State and Federal levels. Our Strategic Plan revolves around advocacy, including the goals of ensuring that Head Start is:

Funded to support a justly compensated workforce, and
Has wider recognition in California among families with young children and the emerging workforce.

To achieve those goals, our advocacy efforts are further guided by our vision, principles, and priorities.

Guiding Principles

Funding

Increase Head Start wages to be commensurate with the education and training required.

Alignment

Align poverty eligibility guidelines, staffing requirements, wages, and funding to strengthen the ability of Head Start programs to serve families and children.

Simplicity

Reduce and simplify regulations to remove unnecessary administrative burdens and free agencies to focus on serving children.

Flexibility

Give service providers the flexibility to adapt services and leverage funding to fit local need, and to innovate in designing new services.

Equity

Create an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all members, staff, volunteers, families, and stakeholders.

Security

Advance policies that promote the economic security of vulnerable families and children.

Legislative Priorities

FEDERAL PRIORITIES

Dramatically increase funding for Head Start to support mandated wage parity by 2031.
Obtain additional federal funding to support staff wellness.
Adjust income-eligibility guidelines to account for state, regional, or local costs of living.
Expand categorical eligibility.
Increase the number of children Head Start serves.

STATE PRIORITIES

Ensure the state maintains its commitment to increase the state reimbursement rate, to close the wage gap between Head Start and TK-12 teachers.
Ease or offer flexibility in workforce requirements to improve workforce recruitment and retention.
Simplify CCTR regulations to align with Early Head Start.
Improve integration of Head Start throughout relevant state systems and agencies.
Encourage building code revisions related to occupancy limits to align with Head Start standards.
Ensure the state’s child development permit matrix aligns with Head Start standards and supports a developing workforce.