The director of West Virginia Head Start, which provides education and comprehensive services to thousands of low-income children, is sanguine the program will continue regardless Issue it could be abolished under President-elect Donald Trump.
Head Start serves 7,784 eligible children in 385 centers across the state. The program focuses on school readiness through quality early learning and provides comprehensive services such as dental care and mental health support.
Erin Tucker’s son Oliver attended a Head Start program in Parkersburg several years ago. Oliver, now seven years venerable, is diagnosed with autism.
“With their help, we were able to get him used to going to school and being around other kids,” Tucker said, adding that Oliver was nonverbal during his time in the program. “There are children like my child who need special attention because if these programs go away, my child will be left behind.”
Trump has distanced himself out of Project 2025 — a bill written by his former administration officials that would eliminate Head Start. (The Washington Post reported that some of Trump’s proposals for his administration will be mentioned by name in Project 2025.)
Lori Milam, executive director of the West Virginia Head Start Association, said the program made significant progress during the last Trump administration.
“This is not coming from the president-elect or his transition team,” Milam said. “I don’t think anyone wants to see a reduction in funding for children and families who are already struggling. I don’t think that’s on anyone’s agenda and I pray that it isn’t.”
Milam noted that the program brings the state $84 million in federal funding. The state plays a crucial role in providing childcare There are woefully few day care places.
“It would require congressional action. Because we have such long-standing and deep-rooted support for Head Start, we are optimistic and will work with Congress and the new administration to strengthen Head Start and ensure a bright future,” she said.
In 2019, then-President Trump proposed a 25% cut to Head Start Programs over 10 years. Congress rejected the measure and increased funding for the program“Head Start remains one of the most effective early intervention programs for children from at-risk backgrounds.”
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., now in the No. 4 Senate positionhas championed the program, Appropriate millions of dollars for Head Start programs across the state. She declined to comment for this story.
Families whose income is at or below the federal poverty level are eligible for Head Start early education services. Milam noted that the program’s work is critical as West Virginia grapples with a drug crisis linked for children in need of special education and other services available in the preschool program.
The program serves Foster children together with the grandparents raise their grandchildren.
“It is extremely important because we are meeting these unique needs of the community. We address food insecurity, housing and healthcare. We help parents find jobs,” Milam said, adding that the program has helped a larger number of families who are homeless or moving in with family members or friends.
Milam noted that Head Start conducted 43,000 home visits in 2023.
Tucker, whose son is now in elementary school, said her local Head Start staff helped her advocate for her son’s special education services at his elementary school.
“They were really there to push me through so he could get what he needed and they were really there to support me,” she said.
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