Head Start and Early Head Start provide early education and ensure that children receive comprehensive health screenings, nutrition, family support, and access to developmental services. Early Head Start programs support families with children from the prenatal period to age 3, while Head Start programs serve children between 3 and 5 years old.
In April, Dr. Morgan Crossman, executive director of Building Bright Futures, wrote an op-ed about the damage that would be done if federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start were eliminated.
While the federal government has backed off for now on eliminating Head Start and Early Head Start, the threat of drastic cuts or total elimination of the programs remains. In the meantime, existing federal resources are not sufficient, and programs are struggling to meet increasing levels of need.
In light of recent events, Dr. Crossman and Christy Swenson, Head Start representative to Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council (SAC) and president of the Vermont Head Start Association, reached out to some Vermont Head Start and Early Head Start providers who shared on-the-ground stories about what these programs mean to Vermonters—those whose children attend the programs and those who run the programs. Morgan and Christy would like to share a few of those stories with you here.
A Parent Testimonial
Almost 13 years ago, I walked into the Brook Street School (Head Start building). I was only 14 years old and almost three months pregnant. I had just started my freshman year of high school when I found out I was going to have my first child. I was terrified and had no idea what to do or where to go.
I couldn’t tell you how many times I was told that if I were to keep my baby, I would just be another teen mom that would never even finish high school. I was so determined to prove all those voices wrong. More than anything, I wanted to give my daughter the life she deserved. Despite all of my motivation, I never would have been able to make it this far without all of the support we have received from the Learning Together Center.
My oldest daughter was born in May 2007. I was still attending high school at the Family Literacy Center. My daughter began LTC when she was about 6 months old. I was so scared to leave her, but LTC made it a great transition for both of us.
I was obviously very young and completely clueless on how to be a parent. Thankfully, I had Head Start to help me every step of the way. From pregnancy to kindergarten, they have always been there for us to give us advice, help, resources, etc. When she was enrolled at LTC, [my daughter] had every day filled with love, play, and learning. Not only did they make my child’s day amazing, they provided me (and many other parents) with help with anything needed at the time.
In 2010, I had my son. Unfortunately, my situation was far from ideal for myself and my family. I will forever be grateful for all of the compassion and help Head Start has given to my family.
When my son was around 2 years old, he was having a difficult time speaking clearly. Head Start did multiple hearing tests. He failed all of them. Not only did they direct me where to go, they also gave him the opportunity to work with a speech pathologist. Because of the Learning Together Center, we were able to treat his hearing problem early in life. After having tubes put in his ears, he made amazing progress! I do fear without LTC this would not have been noticed so early.
My youngest daughter was born in 2017. I was very lucky to be able to spend her first year home with her. When we started looking at daycares, I knew LTC was the only place I would want her to go! I was so happy when I got the call that they had an opening for her. I am so thankful she is receiving the same wonderful experience my two oldest have received.
I have had extreme “ups and downs” and struggled greatly. Even through all of that, I have never felt judged by the amazing people here.
I cannot express how much hope and joy I feel when I walk into this building and see other caregivers receiving the same support and mentoring I have experienced over the years. This is not your typical child care. This program is so devoted to every child and family! Head Start goes above and beyond to give families and children the tools to strive and grow together.
I cannot imagine what our lives would look like without Head Start. I know I could never thank them enough for all of their support and dedication. This program has helped so many families. I truly hope to continue to see them be able to help and support not only my family, but everyone that walks in their door.
Hearing from a Head Start Provider:
Donna Barrow, M.S., Ed.D., Early Head Start / Head Start Director for Rutland County Head Start
Last year, about 25% of our enrolled families were unhoused. Rutland is one of the locations with the highest rates of homelessness, and when the hotel program was in operation, we had an influx of families from all over Vermont. We are able to hold slots for families experiencing homelessness, which allows us to respond quickly when we receive a referral for a child who needs child care.
This year we had very high attrition—19 children left, most due to leaving the area or to issues with housing and transportation. We recently received a grant to partner with school districts under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law that provides educational services to children and youth experiencing homelessness. The grant will allow us to immediately respond to school-related transitions and challenges for families who have lost housing or have moved to another district.
Our program is a comprehensive wraparound program. We offer 5 Star-quality early childhood education, and we also are a hub for families, providing family services and supports and partnering with Children’s Integrated Services (CIS), Essential Early Education (EEE), the Homelessness Prevention Center, the USDA Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and other individualized services. We offer free healthy meals for children.
Through our health and nutrition program, families receive support in finding doctors and dentists. We do developmental, vision, and hearing screenings and help parents whose children need support from specialists. We have a disability manager who supports families in getting evaluations, helps them understand special education services, and advocates for families. We are partners with Rutland Mental Health, and our family services program helps parents receive case management, parent training, and support with child development and education.
Our family service advocates attend meetings related to housing, help families find resources, connect families with specialized child care during times of hardship, and connect families with CIS and food programs. We help parents navigate local emergency services. Our families get free memberships to Wonderfeet Museum, a safe, fun place for families to take their children and connect with others in the community.
We can come to families, meet wherever is convenient, and help them with enrollment. We support families who are dual language learners through translation, collaboration with other programs, and classroom participation. We are currently exploring a partnership with local programs to address transportation issues for families in Rutland. Parents in our programs can be leaders and advocates by serving as policy council members and can weigh in on policies and programs to support families experiencing homelessness.
Another Parent Testimonial
I have a son who goes to Head Start/preschool at the Learning Together Center (LTC). He attended Head Start and is now in a preschool room. I have an older son who also went to the Head Start (0–3) room and the preschool room. He’s now 13 and is a straight A student and in the top three best readers in his grade. He’s been at a high school reading level since he was in 6th grade. I believe that I can say with confidence that he wouldn’t be such an amazing student had he not gone to LTC.
The Learning Together Center helped me and my two sons in giving them both a great head start with learning. Not to mention they helped my kids with more than education, like giving them (and me) ways to handle behavior/feelings. They supported not just my kids, but me and my family. LTC gave my family skills to make me a better, stronger mother. They gave my kids social skills, tools, support, and love!
I love LTC so much and vouch for them, too. I truly believe it’s the best thing I could’ve done for my boys. They’re one of the best and safest for child care where I’m from. It would be tragic if LTC couldn’t receive enough funding to stay open. They’re amazing and have given my sons (and many families/kids) an amazing head start to succeed in life! What they have given to my family is priceless.
