10/01/2026
Today was one of those FULL CIRCLE moments! ❤️💙
Our team completed NINE Capitol Hill visits today advocating for Head Start children, families, parents, teachers, and staff. Head Start advocates were all over the Hill today making sure our voices were heard!
For me, this was personal.
I walked those halls as Jael’s mom. ❤️ Jael is a former Head Start student who THRIVED because of amazing teachers and staff who loved her, poured into her, and built relationships with our family that we still have today.
Head Start also helped develop ME as a parent leader. Today, I serve as Policy Council Chair and sit on both the New Jersey Head Start Association Board and Gateway Community Action Partnership Board.
Today, I had the opportunity to share our story with legislators and their staff and advocate for them to stand with Head Start families in opposing harmful changes proposed in the NPRM.
But Jael had something to say too! 😂❤️ She made her OWN poster, stood up, and shared her Head Start story right alongside Mommy. THAT is what this is about—teaching our children that their experiences matter and their voices belong in the room.
To every Head Start teacher, staff member, family advocate, director, and leader: YOUR WORK MATTERS. The seeds you plant continue growing long after our babies leave your classrooms. We are living proof. ❤️
I’m also so proud to stand with Parents Unite and parent leaders across the country who are learning, leading, advocating, and bringing other parents along with them.
And THEN… I saw Senator Bernie Sanders in the hallway! 😂🙌🏾 Y’all, HE HUGGED ME—and I didn’t even ask! 😂 I was HYPE!
From Head Start Mommy ➡️ Parent Leader ➡️ Policy Council Chair ➡️ Board Member ➡️ Capitol Hill Advocate.
And I’m still just getting started. ❤️💙
HEAD START WORKS. Today, we made sure Capitol Hill heard us!
