News Release 12/11/2010
HEAD START PARENTS PETITION CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND HEAD START IN 2011
Virginia Beach, VA,/// December 15, 2010///Days after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a long-term continuing resolution (CR) and the U.S. Senate introduced an omnibus appropriations bill amidst ongoing budget negotiations, the Head Start/Early Head Start parent community kicked off a petition urging Congress to be sure to maintain funding for Head Start and Early Head Start children in fiscal year 2011.
The House's CR would appropriate $7.5 billion to Head Start in FY 2011, $600 million less than President Obama's FY 2011 budget request. 61,000 more of the nation's most at-risk children were served with FY 2010 funding and the 2011 budget request aims to continue services to these children. Cuts to the requested budget amount would mean that tens of thousands of children and their families would be cut off from vital services.
Because of these concerns, Head Start parents joined the National Head Start Association (NHSA), the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA), and the National Indian Head Start Directors Association (NIHSDA) at NHSA's 27th Annual Head Start Parent Conference in signing a petition asking Congress to provide nothing less than $8.2 billion for Head Start in FY 2011.
In just three days the petition has amassed close to 3,500 signatures from Head Start parents across the country, and more are being added every day. This is a testament to the high value the parents place on their Head Start experience and their passion for ensuring that American children continue to receive the head start they need. To sign the petition, visit http://supportheadstart.org.
ABOUT NHSA
The National Head Start Association (http://www.nhsa.org) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that believes that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life if given the opportunity that Head Start offers to children and their families. It represents more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 2600 Head Start programs in the United States.
CONTACT: Julia Steinberger, (703) 899-3230 or jsteinberger@nhsa.org.
ABOUT NMSHSA
The National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (www.nmshsaonline.org) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that prepares children to enter school ready to succeed. We also help parents learn about the customs and values of our communities, learn English, and become strong supporters of their children's continuing education. It represents nearly 39,000 children and operates in 40 States.
CONTACT: Victor Gomez, (202) 223-9889 or vgomez@nmshsaonline.org
ABOUT NIDHSA
The National Indian Head Start Directors Association represents the 154 American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AI) grantees in 26 states. These programs serve about 24,000 Head Start and Early Head Start children and their families.
CONTACT: Gil Gonzales, President, ggonzales@washoetribe.us;
Kathryn Helsel, Senior. Manager, Kathryn@threefeathersassoc.com; or
Greg Smith, Attorney, gsmith@smithbrownyazzie.com.