Retired director of CESA 7 Head Start/Early Head Start Linda Gratz writes in this guest column that we must ‘come together before it’s too late to make our voices heard.’
Protesters oppose DOGE cuts from coast to coast
Protesters across the U.S. gathered around the message that “Elon Musk has got to go.”
- The current administration has proposed discontinuing funding for Head Start, a program that provides comprehensive early childhood education and family support services.
- Head Start serves more than 15,000 children and employs more than 4,300 staff in Wisconsin alone.
- Proponents argue Head Start saves $7 for every $1 spent by reducing the need for later interventions and improving educational outcomes.
- The author, a former Head Start director, urges the public to contact their elected officials to advocate for continued funding.
Head Start began in 1965 as part of the “War on Poverty” program. It was started to help low-income families and children grow and prosper, and that’s what it’s been doing for the last 60 years.
Head Start has been supported by both Democrats and Republicans alike over the years — because it works. It makes sense fiscally, having been shown to save $7 for every $1 spent, according to the National Head Start Association.
You might ask, how can that be? The answer is that children who participate in Head Start do better in school and require fewer expensive interventions. They repeat fewer grades, achieve better graduation rates, are less likely to be arrested and, on average, have higher earnings after school.
The Trump administration is proposing discontinuing funding for Head Start programs across the country. This hasn’t happened yet but is being suggested. That is why it’s so important to let our voices be heard now.
Many federal district offices that provided support staff for Head Start programs have already been closed, including the Chicago office, which gave support to Wisconsin Head Start programs.
In Wisconsin, more than 15,000 children are enrolled in more than 300 Head Start child care centers across the state, according to the Wisconsin Head Start Association.
Head Start employs more than 4,300 individuals in Wisconsin.
In addition to paid staff, Head Start has 7,757 parent volunteers.
The CESA 7 Head Start program in Manitowoc County and parts of Brown County is funded to serve 108 children in its Early Head Start program and 197 in its Head Start program.
What does Head Start do for children and families?
Head Start is a comprehensive program that helps families and children grow and succeed.
Although it is seen by many as a child care program, those who know Head Start will tell you it is much, much, more.
Head Start is a family support and educational program that serves families pre-natal through age 5. Staff work with families to develop family and child goals, remind parents they are their child’s first and most important teachers, advocate for support services, provide nutritious meals to children in the classrooms, and work with families to make sure children have health services and screenings recommended by health care professionals.
Head Start also provides services to children in foster homes and children with special needs.
What would happen if Head Start were defunded?
If Head Start were defunded, not only would children and families lose needed services, but employees would be displaced and local communities harmed.
Child care is at a premium across the country with limited availability and increasingly high costs, making it unaffordable for many families. Eliminating Head Start would only add to this crisis and make it harder for employers to find reliable workers who have dependable child care.
How can you make a difference?
As a former Head Start director, I am asking everyone who cares about Head Start and supports this program to come together — before it’s too late — to make our voices heard.
Take a few minutes to tell your representative and senators why you support Head Start services.
If you have been served by Head Start, tell them your story and give examples of how Head Start impacted your family.
Challenge these elected officials to explain why they would cut funding for a program that saves more money than it costs.
Contact them today. Together, we can make a difference!
How to contact your elected officials
Call or write your senators — Tammy Baldwin or Ron Johnson — and Congressman Glenn Grothman. Here’s how:
Linda Gratz is a retired director of CESA 7 Head Start/Early Head Start and a Manitowoc resident.
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