Overview

• President Trump’s initial 2025 budget draft proposed eliminating Head Start, sparking a nationwide advocacy campaign with over 300,000 letters and petitions.
• The latest federal budget proposal now preserves the $12.27 billion allocation for Head Start, providing temporary relief to the program and its supporters.
• Advocates remain wary of potential future cuts to Head Start and related services like Medicaid, which are critical to low-income families’ access to healthcare and support.
• Head Start continues to face operational challenges due to HHS workforce reductions and regional office closures, causing delays in payments and services.
• The program, serving 800,000 children nationwide, remains popular despite mixed research on its long-term outcomes, with families emphasizing its role in breaking cycles of poverty.