An estimated 57,000 children will lose access to the Head Start program due to sequestration. These cuts mean that in many communities, children aren’t going back to Head Start this year, and many returning children will see reduced services and shorter programs. In addition, many parents will be unable to work if children can’t attend Head Start and teachers and staff will lose their jobs. These cuts highlight the need to refocus the fiscal debate to how to make strategic investments that will positively impact our nation’s long-term economic well-being. Because early childhood education has impacts that reach into adulthood, these investments yield a strong return on investment and are crucial to ensuring a competitive future workforce.
Please join the Center for American Progress and the National Head Start Association for an event focusing on the impact of cuts to the Head Start program and the need to refocus the conversation on early childhood toward one about strategic investments.
Welcoming Remarks:
Carmel Martin, Executive Vice President for Policy, Center for American Progress
Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director, National Head Start Association
Remarks:
Ouida Foster Toutebon, Executive Director, Head Start of Rockland, Inc.
Distinguished Panelists:
Martha Coven, Associate Director for Education, Income Maintenance, and Labor, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
Michael Linden, Managing Director, Economic Policy, Center for American Progress
Sharon Parrott, Vice President for Budget Policy and Economic Opportunity, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Colleen Rathgeb, Director of Policy, Office of Head Start
Moderator:
Christina Samuels, Education Week