Washington, D.C. — The United States is experiencing an urgent youth mental health crisis, and supporting young children during their formative years is more important than ever to ensure long-term health and quality of life. To that end, Head Start is one of the most valuable federal programs for low-income families to receive mental health support.
New analysis from the Center for American Progress unpacks the role that Head Start and its companion program, Early Head Start, play in addressing the youth mental health crisis and supporting families during a critical period in their children’s lives. The analysis explains why it is so important for policymakers to push for full funding and staffing of these programs.
Key findings from the analysis include:
- One in 10 children in the United States under the age of 5 currently suffer from a mental health issue.
- Across more than 3,300 programs, Head Start and Early Head Start served nearly 800,000 children in 2024 alone, and provided prenatal care to an estimated 12,000 expectant parents.
- Head Start plays a unique role in supporting mental health among Tribal communities and to families of children with disabilities.
- In rural communities, many families would have no access to licensed child care, or family support programs such as home visiting, mental health services, and early intervention, were it not for Head Start.
“Head Start is a powerful tool that can help address America’s mental health crisis at its roots,” said Hailey Gibbs, associate director of Early Childhood Policy at CAP and author of the column. “Investing in the perinatal and early childhood periods have proven, measurable, long-term positive impacts on children’s and families’ well-being. We need to prioritize that. The onus is on our policymakers to make sure this irreplaceable program remains viable and can support all families who need it.”
Read the report: “Head Start Is a Model for Supporting Child and Family Mental Health” by Hailey Gibbs
For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Mishka Espey at [email protected].