Will Congress Support Head Start Children and Families Experiencing Trauma?
Contemplating the state of Head Start in the U.S. Senate during the 116th Congress
By: Zoie Albrecht, National Head Start Association, Government Affairs Intern
In last week’s blog, we highlighted the impressive bipartisan support Head Start has received from members of Congress in the House of Representatives over the last six months. From the House’s passage of over $11.5 billion in funding for Head Start in that chamber’s fiscal year 2020 spending bill, to multiple member visits to local Head Start programs, to over 230 in-person congressional meetings with Head Start parents, directors, and staff, it is clear that energy to support Head Start in the House is strong and growing.
With positive momentum on the rise in the House of Representatives, NHSA is now turning its focus to the U.S. Senate and the efforts being made in that chamber to support Head Start children, families, and communities.
What has the Senate done so far to support Head Start?
Over the last six months, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Bob Casey (D-PA) have time and again demonstrated their commitment to championing Head Start. These two leaders have led the way in supporting Head Start’s mission, impact, and increasingly important role in supporting children and families overcoming addiction and trauma. Actions by both Senators have helped pave the way for congressional efforts that keep children as the focus.
As momentum in the Senate to support Head Start has been growing, many Senators have spotlighted impressive increases in Head Start funding. Those who celebrated include the following senators:
- Susan Collins (R-ME)
- Angus King (D-ME)
- Joe Manchin (D-WV)
- Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
- Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
- Corey Booker (D-NJ)
- Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
- Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
- Dick Durbin (D-IL)
It’s no small thing for a United States Senator to use their public platform to draw attention to the importance of Head Start funding, and NHSA recognizes this growing list of vocal supporters in the Senate.
Speaking out in Congress in support of Head Start’s comprehensive services
In May, for Head Start’s 54th birthday and the 25th anniversary of Early Head Start, both Sen. Murkowski and Sen. Casey spoke on the floor of the Senate chamber about Head Start’s role in strengthening communities, families, and children. Sen. Murkowski said, in part:
“Children who attend Head Start begin school with better literacy, numeracy, cognitive, and behavioral skills than they otherwise would have had. They are more likely to graduate and complete college. They are more likely to live healthy, productive lives as adults. Today, Head Start alumni are strong, resilient individuals who make positive contributions to their communities as doctors, nurses, athletes, parents, entrepreneurs, teachers, police officers, CEOs, authors, artists, and more.”
During Sen. Casey’s floor speech, he specifically highlighted Head Start’s increasing focus on trauma-informed care. In his address to his Senate colleagues, Sen. Casey made moving remarks regarding Head Start’s role in helping Pennsylvania parents and children battling the opioid epidemic:
“One of the core tenets of Head Start that has made it so successful is its responsiveness to local community needs. In Pennsylvania, for example, as in many other States, the opioid epidemic has hit far too many communities, and Head Start has responded to that crisis with innovative programming… After having completed SafeStart — the new [Head Start] program in Allentown — 68 percent of 3-year-olds were on-age developmentally, and 100 percent of the children showed significant improvement in their drug-impacted symptoms, with 53 percent having shown resolution.”
Helping Head Start better support children and families experiencing the impacts of trauma
In June, Head Start saw more momentum in the Senate. Building on the growing movement to increase aid and support for parents and families grappling with the impacts of trauma, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the bipartisan Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion (RISE) from Trauma Act to increase support for children who have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma, such as witnessing violence, parental addiction, or abuse.
The legislation, if passed, would expand the trauma-informed workforce and help equip Head Start staff with the ability to better support enrolled children who are suffering from adverse childhood experiences, including parental addiction.
NHSA Executive Director Yasmina Vinci voiced the Head Start community’s strong support for the legislation, saying in a statement, “The RISE from Trauma Act would better equip Head Start staff to respond to children and families in crisis. I urge all members of Congress to support this bill and engage Head Start’s family-centered approach in intervening to stop the ripple effects of trauma in our communities.”
Sen. Duckworth emphasized the need for this critical legislation, saying: “Far too many people across our country have been forced to deal with the harmful impact of violence and addiction in their communities and many have lost family members, friends, and neighbors to senseless violence and to addiction themselves. We need to do everything we can to ensure those who grieve or have endured trauma are able to receive the care and support they need, especially children who have been affected at such a formative age.”
As we monitor the progress in the Senate of various legislation supporting Head Start, NHSA is energized by the amount of focus Head Start has received in conversations surrounding trauma-informed care and other holistic community solutions aimed to reduce substance abuse disorders. Furthermore, the introduction of the RISE from Trauma Act strengthens the Head Start community’s case for robust investments in trauma-informed care in the final FY2020 spending bill.
There is still much work to be done to continue the momentum in Congress for Head Start! If you are a Head Start family member, staff member, or other supporter who cares about Head Start’s future success, we need YOU to join the Families Unite Campaign today!
Read Part 1 to learn about Head Start’s champions in the U.S. House of Representatives. This blog is brought to you by the Dollar per Child campaign. Learn more and consider investing in a unified voice for Head Start.
