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Gov. Josh Stein joined the Smart Start Conference in Greensboro on Wednesday to highlight his priorities for child care and early education, but he also urged North Carolina’s federal delegation to oppose efforts to eliminate the Head Start program, according to a press release.
Stein, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, and Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green sent a letter this week to leaders in Congress, including North Carolina’s federal delegation.
The letter spells out the stark consequences of eliminating Head Start in North Carolina:
More than 19,500 children in North Carolina rely on Head Start and Early Head Start for high-quality child care, access to health screenings, and healthy food to prepare them for school and beyond.
If federal Head Start funding were to be cut, as many as 500 child care programs that operate Head Start and Early Head Start could close.
Head Start brings over $290 million in federal funds directly to local economies in North Carolina, supporting more than 5,600 jobs across local agencies, private nonprofit child care centers, and school systems.
Letter to Congress
“Rural areas would be particularly hard-hit,” says the letter, “where Head Start is often one of the only high-quality child care options for low-income families. In 22 rural counties, Head Start accounts for 20 percent or more of all licensed child care slots.”
After Hurricane Helene, notes the letter, “Eliminating Head Start would be a major setback for western North Carolina’s economic recovery and child and family well-being.”
“Programs like Smart Start help North Carolina’s children live up to their full potential,” said Stein. “Federal proposals to eliminate the Head Start program are wrongheaded. Investing in our kids is investing in our future — and I’ll take that return every time.”
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What is Head Start?
“Head Start is the federally funded, comprehensive preschool program designed to meet the emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs of children aged 3 to 5 and their families,” according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
“The Early Head Start program — established in 1994 — is the companion program created to address the same needs of children birth to age 3, expectant mothers, and their families,” says the DHHS website.
What is Smart Start?
Smart Start, a network of 75 local organizations focused on supporting young children and families across North Carolina, has become a model for other states since its birth in the early 1990s, according to EdNC’s previous reporting.
Although the names sound similar, Head Start and Smart Start are not related.
“Head Start is a federally-funded preschool program that targets low-income 3 and 4 year olds,” according to Smart Start’s website. “Smart Start is funded through state and private funds and provides a variety of services for children less than 6 years of age and their families.”
The letter to Congress
North Carolina is classified as a “child care desert” for infant and toddler care, says the letter, where on average, five families with babies are competing for every available licensed child care slot.
“Without Head Start, many families would face the impossible choice of caring for their children or earning a living — disrupting not only their careers but also businesses and the broader economy,” says the letter.
Stein, Hunt, and Green are asking members of Congress to “oppose any cuts to or elimination of the Head Start program and work to strengthen this critical investment in our future.”
