Contact: Eileen Cunha, eileen@npagency.com
Washington, DC — The following is a statement from Kendra Davenport, President and CEO of Easterseals, on plans to roll back federal Head Start performance standards:
“Head Start has helped generations of children grow up healthier, safer, and better prepared to succeed because the federal government made early childhood development a national priority.
That federal commitment has helped ensure that a child’s access to strong early learning, health screenings, family support, and a safe classroom does not depend entirely on where they live or what their state is able to provide.
Easterseals supports reducing unnecessary paperwork so educators and local programs can spend more time serving children. But cutting red tape cannot become an excuse for cutting the standards that keep children safe and ensure families receive consistent, high-quality support.
The changes under consideration will weaken expectations around class sizes, developmental and health screenings, family engagement, staff preparation, and basic safety. The consequences of this are very real: fewer educators in classrooms, developmental delays going unnoticed, families receiving less help accessing healthcare, and fewer protections for children who need additional support.
Head Start is strong because it has been treated as a national commitment. Abandoning that commitment leaves a child’s development up to their ZIP code. Families and community organizations are already being asked to absorb the impact of cuts across healthcare, education, food assistance, and other essential programs. They need a federal government that’s committed to making Head Start stronger, not one looking for ways to lower expectations and call it reform.”
About Easterseals
Easterseals is a national nonprofit that provides expert caregiving and support services across disabilities and stages of life. We help individuals and families throughout the United States get the services they need to live more independently. Learn more at www.easterseals.com or follow us on social media.
