DENVER—Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) led the Colorado Democratic House Delegation in a letter to the leaders of the House Appropriations Committee, as well as the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, over concerns with the level of funding for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in their FY24 funding package. In the letter, the members outline the impact the proposed cuts could have on the 12,000 children across Colorado who rely on Head Start and Early Head Start, as well as how reduced funding could exacerbate already-strained workforce shortages.
The House has proposed $750 million in cuts to Head Start and Early Head Start through the FY24 Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill. In Colorado, these life-changing programs are already limited by funding, and this reduction would have serious consequences.
“Head Start and Early Head Start have proven and lasting impacts, offering education, health, and nutrition services to children from at-risk backgrounds, as well as employment and educational support to their parents,” wrote the members. “While we speak on behalf of the impact on Coloradans, it’s vital to recognize that states across the country are equally concerned for the 40 million children and their families who depend on these vital programs.”
“Head Start is an early childhood education model committed to 360-degree development of the whole child—providing a strong foundation which sets children up for a lifetime of learning and growth in school and in the wider world,” said National Head Start Association Executive Director Yasmina Vinci. “We applaud Representatives Caraveo, Crow, DeGette, Neguse, and Pettersen for strongly urging the House Appropriations leadership to include a cost of living adjustment in line with inflation for FY24. That is critical to demonstrate to the Head Start staff in Colorado and across the country that they are valued and appreciated.”
Signers of the letter include Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Jason Crow (CO-06), and Joe Neguse (CO-02).
During her time in the Colorado state legislature, Pettersen successfully helped pass a bill to launch a universal preschool program in the state, and remains committed to supporting early education and child care nationwide, including programs like Head Start and Early Head Start. The comprehensive services Head Start programs offer include early education, health screenings, social and emotional health, nutrition, social services, and services for children with disabilities. These comprehensive programs are offered to children from low-income households, as well as supports and services for their families.
The full text of the letter can be found here and below.
Dear Chairwoman Granger, Ranking Member DeLauro, and Chairman Aderholt:
We write to express our concerns with the current funding level allocated to Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in Colorado and request the Committee on Appropriations include sufficient funding for these programs in the FY24 House Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations bill.
Head Start and Early Head Start Programs are central to early childhood care models, serving nearly 12,000 children in Colorado. Head Start and Early Head Start have proven and lasting impacts, offering education, health, and nutrition services to children from at-risk backgrounds, as well as employment and educational support to their parents. While we speak on behalf of the impact on Coloradans, it’s vital to recognize that states across the country are equally concerned for the 40 million children and their families who depend on these vital programs.
Unfortunately, the integrity of these programs is at risk. Through the FY24 LHHS bill, the House has proposed $750 million in sweeping cuts to Head Start and Early Head Start funding, amounting to a 6.25 percent reduction. However, after accounting for inflation, the reduction amounts to approximately 9.65 percent.1 This cut will have serious consequences. Specifically, the FY24 funding levels will prevent roughly 80,000 children and their families from accessing Head Start and Early Head Start’s high-quality and life-changing services. For Colorado, this means that nearly 1,100 children could lose access to critical Head Start and Early Head Start services.2 Colorado’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs are already limited by funding, as services reach only 10-12 percent of the eligible children in any given year. The proposed funding cuts would mean even fewer eligible children can be served by these programs. According to the KIDS COUNT in Colorado! 2022 data, there are approximately 45,000 Colorado children under the age of five who live in poverty or deep poverty who are eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services.
Our workforce will also feel the strain of the proposed funding cuts. Head Start and Early Head Start services rely on well-qualified, well-trained, and experienced staff – and these professionals should be properly compensated for the vital role they have in our children’s lives. Yet salaries for the early childhood workforce, including Head Start, rank amongst the lowest in terms of pay and benefits of most professions.4 This has resulted in unprecedented turnover of Head Start staff and threatens the stability and ability of Head Start programs to properly serve a maximum number of children and retain workers. Additionally, understaffing is one of the primary reasons for long waitlists for Head Start and Early Head Start enrollment. With salaries already at challenging levels, proposed funding reductions would exacerbate workforce shortages, as qualified and credentialed professionals who staff these programs could be forced to leave the field.
While we continue our work to pass the FY24 spending bill, we urge you to keep our concerns at the forefront of your consideration. Maintaining viable, consistent, and realistic funding at levels that will service projected enrollment and our Head Start and Early Head Start workforce is vital. At a minimum, the FY24 appropriation for Head Start and Early Head Start should be increased by $372 million over FY23 in order to provide a cost of living adjustment in line with inflation. Additionally, please also keep the well-being of the children and families who depend on Head Start and Early Head Start in mind as you work through the FY25 budget.
Sincerely,
