Item:
Title
Approval of a Support Letter for Head Start and Early Head Start
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: April 28, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve and sign a support letter for Head Start and Early Head Start to members of Congress to urge them to protect Head Start funding. Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that support families with young children who are living in poverty, in foster care, or experiencing homelessness. Head Start provides children from eligible families with high-quality early learning as well as medical, dental, vision, behavioral, health, and nutrition services. A recent White House draft budget document for FY 26 eliminates funding for Head Start.
Without Head Start, our County and State’s most vulnerable children will lose access to high-quality early learning as well as meals, health and vision screenings, dental services, and the skills they need to enter kindergarten ready to learn. Additionally, parents may be forced to choose between employment and caregiving. In Durham County, more than 490 children are currently enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start. Board members requested the opportunity to submit a letter and requested staff to prepare a letter reflecting the local impact.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: Head Start programs most closely align with DCo Forward Empowered Community (EC 1a, EC 1b, EC 1c, EC 1d, EC 2a, EC 2b, EC 2c,) and Healthy and Inclusive Community (HI 1b, HI 3b) focus areas.
Resource Persons: Meytal Barak, County Early Childhood Coordinator; Donna Rewalt, County Extension Director; Terry David, NC Head Start Association.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board submit a signed letter to members of Congress confirming the Board’s support of Head Start and Early Head Start funding.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________