In response to efforts by the Bush Administration to enact fundamental changes in the Head Start program, Tenth District Congressman Donald Payne has introduced a resolution supporting Head Start and urging the continuation of the Federal-to-local structure of the program.
Payne, a senior member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, noted that the program has proven to be highly successful in its comprehensive approach to early childhood development. “Head Start emphasizes family involvement in working to meet the educational, social, health and nutritional needs of low income preschoolers,” Payne said. “The Federal and local partnership has also been a key element of Head Start’s success. I am opposed to the move to weaken the program by starting down the road to a block grant approach. Although the bill approved by the Subcommittee enacts only a pilot program, I fear that this is the first step in undermining the important federal role in ensuring comprehensive services for Head Start children.”
Payne’s resolution praises the positive impact that the Head Start program has had on low income preschoolers and their families since its inception in 1965. Over 21 million children have been enrolled in the program, and today 20 states have a combined total of half a million children on the waiting list.
In encouraging the retention of the Head Start mission, Payne noted that the President’s Management Council recently reported that Head Start received the highest customer satisfaction rating of any government agency or private business.
