Continued Head Start Funding is Critical for Kansas Children and Families
Lawrence, Kansas — Until Congress passes, and the President signs, a final FY26 funding bill, the Kansas Head Start Association urges Kansans to contact their members of Congress and voice support for protecting and preserving Head Start for Kansas children and for our nation’s children.
Continued protection of federal Head Start funding is critical for the well-being of nearly 6,300 young Kansans and their families. Head Start programs provide intensive, comprehensive early education in the majority of Kansas counties through Head Start preschool services and Early Head Start services for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers.
Over $90 million in federal Head Start funding flowed into Kansas’s economy in FY2024 – directly to the local programs who provide these services in their communities.
Nearly 2,500 individuals work in Head Start program in Kansas and are an integral part of the state’s early childhood workforce.
Over 4,900 parents were able to work, go to school, or participate in job training as a result of Head Start support.
“Head Start programs in Kansas are vital to the well-being of our most vulnerable children and their families. We are celebrating 60 years of Head Start this year. Continued funding will ensure that Head Start programs continue to strengthen opportunities for young Kansans well into the future,” says Heather Schrotberger, executive director of the Kansas Head Start Association.
Head Start programs in Kansas:
Support parents with child care so they can work or further their education and provide for their families.
Provide high-quality early education that promotes healthy child development and school-readiness.
Ensure children receive developmental screenings and assessments.
Connect families with important resources such as health, mental health, and early intervention services in their communities.
Nationwide, Head Start creates opportunities for nearly 800,000 children and more than 1 million working parents. It is an effective two-generational approach that yields long-term returns of $7 - $10 for every federal dollar invested. Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has reached nearly 40 million families.
Kansans can contact their members of Congress and voice support HERE for protecting and preserving Head Start for Kansas children and for our nation’s children.
