Federal Policy

Protect Head Start

White House budget proposal may end funding for a historic program with a proven record of success for young children and families

On April 16, a memo from the federal Office of Management and Budget was leaked to the media, indicating that the administration’s 2026 budget proposal may entirely eliminate funding to Head Start, ending a program that has enjoyed broad bipartisan support for the past 60 years. Head Start provides early care and education and family support services for nearly 800,000 of our nation’s youngest children facing poverty and other serious challenges to their early development.

Why Head Start matters to Nebraska

Head start funding supports the capacity for more than 5,500 children, and employs more than 2,100 staff across Nebraska.
Head start leads families to economic self-sufficiency and helps them find a pathway to independence and success.
Data from surveys of Nebraska parents show that even when families are facing economic challenges, children who attend Head Start, on average, are on par and likely slightly ahead of children in similar circumstances. Data also show that children with special needs who attend Head Start are doing much better than children with special needs who do not attend Head Start.
In urban and rural areas, Head Start is crucial to ensuring access to quality child care in Nebraska by offering comprehensive, reliable child care that supports both families and the local workforce.
Nebraska’s does not have enough child care to meet the needs of working parents, with 15% fewer child care spots than children who need them. The elimination of Head Start may increase Nebraska’s child care capacity gap by as much as 4%, exacerbating an already existing crisis. When parents lose access to care, local businesses—especially small employers—lose workers.
Every dollar invested in Head Start returns $7 – $10 in long-term benefits through better education, health, and employment outcomes.

Stay Informed

TAKE ACTION

There is still time to speak up on behalf of Head Start before the administration formally submits its budget to Congress. Here’s what you can do:

Call or write to Nebraska’s federal delegates today to tell them that you support continued funding for Head Start and the services it provides for Nebraska’s children, families and communities.