Funding Cuts to Head Start
and Other Key Programs
Before adjourning for the holidays, Congress completed work on two appropriations bills which directly impact Head Start: the Labor-HHS Appropriations and Defense Appropriations legislation. Here is an update on what these bills include and what they mean for Head Start programs, children, and families.
Head Start and other Early Childhood Funding: The Labor-HHS Appropriations bill cut Head Start by $11 million for fiscal year 2006. In addition to this, the Defense Appropriations bill includes a one percent across-the-board-cut to all spending programs (except veterans’ programs). Compounded, these cuts mean that Head Start funding for FY 06 is $6.785 billion. That’s $57 million less than Head Start received in FY 05. This is the equivalent of 32,123 Head Start and Early Head Start slots being cut in fiscal year 2006.
Other programs important to Head Start children and families also suffered cuts in the Labor-HHS bill. A few examples: CCDBG (child care) was cut $20.8 million below FY 05; Even Start was cut $126 million below FY 05; the Early Learning Opportunities Act was eliminated; the Early Childhood Professional Development Grant was cut $146,000 below FY 05.
Transportation and Katrina Relief: There are two pieces of good news coming out of these bills. The Labor-HHS Appropriations bill includes language that extends the Secretary of HHS’s authority to grant waivers on certain transportation requirements – specifically those dealing with dealing with bus monitors and safety restraints. If you would like more information from the Head Start Bureau regarding the transportation waivers and how to apply, please click here.
The other good news is that Head Start programs in the Gulf Coast and those serving evacuees will receive some badly needed help. The Defense Appropriations bill includes $90 million in funding to rebuild programs devastated by Hurricane Katrina and for serving children in need. A portion of the funds can be used for mental health services for children and families traumatized by the devastation as had been requested by the Head Start community.
Reconciliation (budget) bill. Finally, the budget reconciliation bill – which includes drastic cuts to Medicaid, Child Support Enforcement, Child Care, and Student Loans – is still in progress. The Senate passed it by one vote (51 to 50 with Vice-President Cheney breaking the tie). Now it must go back to the House for a final vote (scheduled for February 1). The vote is expected to be very close as House members get an opportunity to fully digest the true impact of the cuts being proposed. If you want to get involved right now in efforts to stop the bill, go to www.actnow.org
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