Republicans in Congress are threatening to strip away a vital early childhood education program that millions of families rely on to stay afloat and put food on the table. For policymakers, celebrating Mother’s Day should mean pushing for strategies that support moms, not pulling the rug out from under us.
Head Start provides local organizations with the funds to run free, comprehensive early learning programs for low-income and vulnerable families. I’m the proud mother of three young boys. When I lost my job, I was able to enroll my two youngest sons — then 4 months and 2 years old — in Early Head Start. I don’t know what we would have done without it.
Because of this program, all three of my boys are more empowered, more resilient, and more prepared for life. My middle son has a rare speech disorder and can use early intervention services through Head Start. It has supported him academically and socially, and it’s given my husband and me the confidence to know he’s on the right track developmentally.
The above excerpt was originally published in DC Journal.
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