Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Proposal Recommends Level Federal Funding for Head Start
Lawrence, Kansas — The President’s FY2027 budget proposal, released on April 3, 2026, recommends level funding for Head Start. Head Start programs provide vital services in local communities that prepare children for school and enable parents to go to work. As Head Start programs face rising costs for staff, food, and facilities, level funding could lead to reduced availability of Head Start services in our Kansas communities.
“Our local Head Start programs across the state provide high-quality early education and home visiting to services to our youngest Kansans. In addition, these local programs are often where children receive important health screenings, dental care, and developmental support. Level funding that doesn’t address increasing costs could impact the delivery of these comprehensive services, with real consequences for children’s health and well-being,” said Heather Schrotberger, executive director of the Kansas Head Start Association.
Members of Congress will determine all final appropriations before the FY27 budget is finalized. KHSA hopes to see Congress prioritize our nation’s youngest children by increasing investments in Head Start in the future.
Head Start is a proven investment in children, families, and local economies—supporting school readiness, helping parents work, and connecting families to critical health and social services. Head Start programs in Kansas provide intensive, comprehensive early education to 6,200 young children through Head Start preschool services and Early Head Start services for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. Nationwide, nearly 800,000 children and more than 1 million working parents would be impacted by any loss of funding.