Sacramento Head Start Alumni Association

Talking Points for letter and media contact

Feb 07, 2003

You are aware that the President has released his plan to dismantle
Head Start and Early Head Start today in his FY 2004 Budget Document.

Previously you were sent the press release from the U. S. Department of
Education.

The next 14 days are critical that Head Start send a clear message to
the President and our Congressional members that this plan is just what
Sarah Green called it ??œa potential disaster??? to children and
families. We urge you to ACT NOW!

Here are some of the points you may want to make when writing letters
or speaking to the press:

Head Start Works! The President??™s plan does not guarantee that
States would be funded to maintain Head Start and Early Head Start??™s high
quality performance standards, the cornerstone to this program??™s
success and the model upon all of early childhood has been working towards.
Research has proven for over 38 years that Head Start is an excellent
investment.

States, from east to west, north to south are embarking on what experts
see as a 3 to 5 year budget downturn cycle. California??™s Governor
has proposed to do away with our State Department of Education??™s Child
Development Division.

Head Start dollars are not guaranteed by the President??™s plan to
serve the same poor children. States will be able to direct dollars to
programs they see fit. Local communities will no longer control the
direction of Head Start.

Comprehensive services are referenced in the President??™s plan, but
only education services are discussed. Head Start??™s support of
children with disabilities, Heath services, family support and other critical
researched based services may be optional.

Parent Involvement ??“ the hallmark or Head Start??™s whole family
effort would be abandoned under the President??™s Plan. No longer would
parents participate in program development. We must protect our
fundamental view that children and families ??“ together - can make the strides
necessary to sustain school and life success.

During 1998 Head Start reauthorization, Congress made significant
changes to Head Start to enhance the educational quality, program
accountability and local collaboration efforts. The President??™s proposal is
not taking into account the results of these measures. Further time
needs to be allowed to validate these changes and allow for data to catch
up with the challenges programs have been responding too for the past
year.