Policy Principles
Download the Head Start California Policy Platform
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.
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