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Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: Cynthia
Story Submitted By: Cynthia, Head Start staff
Before joining Head Start, I was a young immigrant woman from Belize working at Carl’s Jr., studying early childhood education while trying to make ends meet. I carried the emotional weight of a difficult childhood and a strong desire to protect children from the kinds of challenges I endured growing up. When a friend told me about a job opening at the Los Angeles Urban League Head Start program in 1998, -
Head Start California Updates
Media Release: Head Start California Celebrates Approval of New Law Adding Early Childhood Ed Representation to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SACRAMENTO, CA –Head Start California today applauded Governor Newsom for signing AB 1123, a new law that will modify the composition of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to include members with early childhood education (ECE) experience and expertise.
“We applaud Governor Newsom for signing this bill, and we appreciate the leadership of Assemblymember Muratsuchi for authoring this measure,” said Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director, Head Start California. -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: GladysStory submitted by: Gladys, Head Start parent & Staff
In 1991, I moved to a small town with my family, hoping to leave behind the chaos of the big city. We built our home, started our life together, and dreamed of giving our children a better future. When my middle child turned four, I first heard about Head Start. Around that same time, my youngest daughter became very sick and had to be hospitalized. -
Head Start California Updates
Media Release: Assembly Resolution Honoring 60 Years of Head Start is Chaptered into LawFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Secretary of State has officially chaptered Assembly Joint Resolution 12 (AJR-12), honoring the 60th anniversary of Head Start and its legacy of services. The resolution affirms the Head Start’s foundational role in California’s early learning and family support systems and calls on Congress and the President of the United States to protect and increase funding for Head Start.
Authored by Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (D-Silicon Valley) coauthored by Assemblymember Heather Hadwick (R-Redding), -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: RochelleStory submitted by: Rochelle, Head Start parent & Staff
My connection to Head Start began in 1999, when I enrolled my daughter in the Berkeley-Albany YMCA program while I pursued my Bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley. As a young mother determined to complete my education, I relied on the care, stability, and support provided by Head Start. Without this foundation, I would not have been able to successfully finish my studies and achieve my degree. -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: CandaceStory submitted by: Candace, Head Start parent & Staff
My journey with Head Start began as a parent looking for support for my child. In 2021, I enrolled my son in the homebased program because I was concerned about his speech. I had already shared my worries with this doctor, but they were brushed aside. It was discouraging to feel like my voice as a parent did not matter. After I met our home visitor, -
Head Start California Updates
Media Release: Head Start California Responds to Federal House Committee Markup
For Immediate Release: Head Start California Responds to Federal House Committee Markup that Would Lead to Reduced Services for Head Start Children and Families
Sacramento, CA – Head Start California today called on members of Congress to address the lack of a cost-of-living increase (COLA) for Head Start in a bill recently approved by the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Committee.
Without a COLA for Head Start included in the federal Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, -
Head Start California Updates
Media Release: Head Start California Responds to Federal Appropriations Bill MarkupLacking 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, -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: IrisStory submitted by: Iris, Head Start parent and Parent Voices Leader from Marin
Before I found Head Start, I was struggling. I had severe postpartum depression and anxiety. I was constantly scrambling for child care for my two-year old daughter Lulu—calling sisters, cousins, neighbors—just to be able to go to work. Some days, people would bring Lulu to my job crying, and I felt like I was failing as a mother. I was exhausted, -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: KariStory submitted by: Kari, Head Start parent
At Head Start my older daughter picked up her letters quickly, but seemed to have trouble putting them all together in order to start reading. When she came home one day saying, “Mama, I’m not very good at reading,” I went to her teacher immediately for support. Within weeks, I saw my daughter’s confidence soar, with progress and results that have launched her to become an award-winning reader now that she is in Kindergarten.
