Launched in 1965 as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, Head Start is widely recognized as one of the most successful social programs in our nation’s history. Head Start builds children’s social and academic skills, and provides nutrition, medical and dental care to prepare children for success in school. The program currently serves more than 900,000 children from birth to age 5, including nearly 100,000 in California. Legislation supported by the Bush Administration and Republicans in Congress threatens the future of this invaluable program.
A new report prepared for Reps. Waxman, Becerra, Sanchez, and other members from Los Angeles examines the proposed overhaul of Head Start and its impact in Los Angeles. Head Start provides early education, health care and other services to over 33,000 children in Los Angeles. Proposals by the Bush Administration and Republican leaders in the House could turn the program into a state block grant and place these services at risk.
A report released by Rep. Waxman finds that the Administration’s proposed changes to Head Start would worsen existing problems in access to dental care for low-income children in the program.
Rep. Waxman and his colleagues express their concerns to President Bush about his proposal to convert the Head Start program to a state-administered block grant and urge him to increase funding for the program.
Rep. Waxman and his colleagues urge House appropriators to approve the highest possible funding level for the Head Start program in Fiscal Year 2004.
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