Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Trump shutdown continues to threaten childcare and early education across the nation, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), and Reps. André Carson (IN-07) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act, a bill to permanently establish and protect the Office of Head Start and its 12 regional offices.

The bill, introduced during Head Start Awareness Month, reaffirms Congress’s longstanding bipartisan commitment to the Head Start program. It also restores the regional support system dismantled earlier this year when the Trump Administration abruptly closed five regional offices serving nearly half of all Head Start grantees nationwide

“Head Start opened doors for me and millions of children like me,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “It gave us an equal chance to dream and learn while nourishing our mind and body. The Trump Administration’s attempt to dismantle Head Start is cruel and short-sighted. We must protect our kids from these partisan attacks. This bill will make sure that no president can gut the very programs that help families rise, and it protects the federal staff and administrators who make that possible.”

If the shutdown persists, more than 100 Head Start programs scheduled to receive federal grants on November 1 could be forced to halt services—impacting tens of thousands of children and families who rely on Head Start’s essential services and care. The Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act would safeguard the program from future political interference and require congressional notice before any future reorganization or staffing reduction.

The bill is co-led by Reps. André Carson (IN-07) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05), both lifelong advocates for early childhood education and members of the Head Start to Congress Caucus.

“I know firsthand how Head Start can change the course of a child’s life,” said Congressman André Carson (IN-07). “In Indianapolis, where we were directly impacted by the closure of our regional office, families and grantees lost access to critical oversight and resources with little warning, destabilizing our whole system. That is unacceptable. Every child deserves the foundation to succeed, no matter their zip code or family’s income. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act to restore these offices, strengthen the program, and ensure children and families continue receiving the opportunities they deserve.”

"Head Start is more than just an early childhood education program — it is an essential investment in our children, helping to close achievement gaps and ensuring every student can reach their full potential. The Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act makes the Office of Head Start permanent and restores the five regional offices whose closures harmed hundreds of thousands of children, including in the Fifth District,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05).

“As a Head Start Director for 40 years and President of the New Mexico Head Start Association, I and HSANM are proud to endorse the Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act. This legislation affirms the vital role of Head Start and restores the regional support that our programs so deeply need,” said Patricia Grovey Evans, President of New Mexico Head Start Association. “New Mexico Head Start Programs deserve offices that understand our unique culture and community context and can walk with us as we navigate new federal regulations and initiatives. Rep. Leger Fernandez has always stood with our children and families, and this bill reflects her unwavering commitment to their success.”

“NEA-New Mexico always supports giving every child a hand up and a strong start. That’s why we proudly stand behind the Every Child Deserves a Head Start Act, which ensures our youngest learners have the foundation they need to thrive,” said Bethany Jarrell, President, NEA-New Mexico. 

Endorsing organizations include: 

• National Education Association (NEA) 
• National Education Association–New Mexico (NEA-NM)
• National Education Association–New Mexico Retired

• New Mexico Head Start Association

Read the bill HERE.

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