FILE – Students help put away supplies at the end of a reading and writing lesson at the Head Start program run by Easterseals, an organization that gets about a third of its funding from the federal government, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Chandra Alexandre and John Carroll
Categories:Commentary, Opinion
Head Start is a cornerstone of our nation’s collective action to lift children out of poverty. Built on the core idea that children are full of incredible promise, Head Start brings that promise to life in communities across our country.
Over the past 60 years, nearly 40 million children and their families have received early education, health, nutrition and developmental supports through Head Start. In Marin County, hundreds of children of low income ages 0-5 get access to high-quality education at an early age, laying a strong foundation for kindergarten readiness, lifelong learning, and success in life. Head Start also embodies a multi-generational approach, engaging and equipping parents and caregivers as central in their child’s network of support.
Federal funding to key efforts such as Head Start are currently flagged for elimination. Head Start alone represents $6.5 million of resources to the county—resources that help to break the cycle of poverty for families and equip children with the things that will help them grow, learn, and succeed in life.
“My daughter started Head Start at nine months,” says Yesinia A., a parent at Community Action Marin’s Hamilton Childcare Center. “The staff helped not only my daughter, but also my entire family. Now, my child has a solid foundation to start Kindergarten, with the physical, cognitive, health, and emotional development appropriate for her age.”
For every $1 of federal Head Start investment, the local grant recipient, Community Action Marin (CAM), leverages $3 from other sources to directly support children and families. CAM’s blended funding model, which includes Head Start, state, and private dollars, increases quality and provides a comprehensive program to all enrolled children. As noted by Maria Niggle, Executive Director of First 5 Marin, “Isn’t this what we want for all children? A strong start. Family support. The ability to thrive and reach their full potential. Now is our time to speak up for the children and families who rely on Head Start.”
Just weeks ago, five regional Head Start offices were closed by the Administration. It’s hard to predict how Head Start grants are going to be processed and supported without the regional office presence. More critically, and by all accounts, the Administration will likely make strong moves against the Head Start program in both the appropriations request and in the final DOGE report.
What’s at stake? Community Action Marin currently has 187 income-eligible children on the waiting list for Head Start, with planned enrollment of 662 children for the next fiscal year, beginning July 1st. The consequences of Head Start elimination would be dire for these children and their families, not to mention another hundreds of thousands across the U.S. The negative impacts would certainly ripple out into our schools, workplaces, and community to cause further harm at individual and societal levels.
Studies like those from the Heckman Equation and the National Bureau of Economic Research show that Head Start returns between $7 and $10 for every $1 invested, while also accounting for reduced crime, better health, and increased earnings. Head Start makes sense for our community.
The level of childhood poverty in Marin—at 17%—is the highest in the Bay Area according to 2023 data from the Public Policy Institute of California. We have work to do, and we believe the path of anticipated cuts does not serve children, families, our economy, or our shared future. Your voice matters now, and we invite you to take action today in support of Head Start.
You can visit and share the National Head Start Association’s advocacy page and spread the word to others in your networks. Let’s ensure that each child and family in Marin County has what they need to thrive. We’re stronger together in support of a vibrant Marin for each one of us.
Chandra Alexandre is CEO of Community Action Marin, an anti-poverty movement building non-profit that supports children and families across the county with what they need to have self-determination, meet basic needs, and thrive. Learn more about high-quality early education and CAM’s Whole Family Approach at camarin.org.
John A. Carroll is Marin County Superintendent of Schools.