Head Start WEST

10/12/2026

Statement issued today by the Attorney Generals from 25 states and one governor. CA's Attorney General Bonta and New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez co-lead the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and the Governor of Kentucky

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta yesterday co-led a multistate coalition in submitting a comment letter opposing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) proposal to dramatically cut regulations governing the Head Start program. Head Start is an early childhood educat...

10/08/2026

Head Start Awareness Month Spotlight: Breana

Meet Breana, a Home Visitor with Family Services West Hawaii

Early in Breana’s life, she struggled with being a single mother who faced homelessness and addiction. Breana was able to receive support from her Home Visitor who helped her not feel alone and provided resources to help her with her children.

Now, Breana has beaten homelessness and addiction and works with Head Start as a Home Visitor where she can support families experiencing similar struggles. We are thankful for Breana for sharing her story and continuing to support Head Start families. If you would like to listen to Breana’s full story, you can find it in the link below.
https://www.headstartwest.org/our_voice/breana-hudson-family-support-services-of-west-hawaii/

10/06/2026

Happy Head Start Awareness Month! Each week we are excited to share a few Head Start stories from across our community.

Today, we are spotlighting Roz, a Policy Council parent and Head Start Advocate.

Roz’s experiences have shown her how meaningful it can be for families to know they’re not alone. She’s seen firsthand how support can help children thrive, and families move forward. Today, she works with the Head Start Policy Council to help make sure other families have the same sense of connection and encouragement.

We’re grateful to Roz for sharing her story and for being a voice for families through Policy Council. Together, we celebrate the parents who help make Head Start stronger. If you would like to listen to Roz’s full story, you can find it in the link below

https://www.headstartwest.org/our_voice/roz-curiel-cde-policy-council-parent/

10/06/2026

The Trump Administration Plans to Roll Back Federal Regulations for Head Start. Here is What it Could Mean for California’s San Joaquin Valley

New rules for Head Start could bring challenges for early childhood education providers in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

10/05/2026

Despite being a Head Start teacher herself, his mom, Joanna Isitt, needed some extra support, and at their center in Aurora, Illinois, that help was readily available. The family was quickly connected with a social-emotional and mental healthcare team, which provided ample resources — both at school and at home. A year later, when Xavier began displaying other challenging behaviors — like hyperactivity and inattention — the team stepped in once again.

A proposed federal rule change would remove protections, leaving it up to states to decide whether 700K preschoolers can be excluded from care // Amanda Geduld

Joanna Isitt, 28, poses for a portrait with her son, Xavier, 4, before teaching her Head Start class at Hometown Child Care on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Aurora, Ill. (AP Photo/Octavio Jones)

https://zero2eight.substack.com/p/suspending-and-expelling-head-start

10/02/2026

Excellent MAAC! Keep Head Start's exemplary leadership in the public eye! Congrats!

We’re excited to celebrate a special cover feature!

Adolfo Ventura, MAAC’s Interim President & CEO, is featured on the cover of the October issue of North County Informador.

His story is a powerful reminder of how community support, mentorship, and opportunity can shape a life dedicated to service. Today, that same commitment guides MAAC’s work to strengthen families and communities across San Diego County.

We invite you to learn more about the experiences that continue to inspire Adolfo’s leadership and MAAC’s mission.

📖 Read the full feature: Northcountyinformador.com

10/02/2026

Dr. Richard Fiene, an early childhood regulatory expert, explains how proposed Head Start changes could weaken classroom quality, child safety and evidence-based standards, and urges the public to speak out.

For as long as there has been a child care licensing system in this country, there has been a debate about how best to strike a balance between regulation and flexibility. Head Start has spent more than 60 years finding that balance.

Dr. Richard Fiene, an early childhood regulatory expert, explains how proposed Head Start changes could weaken classroom quality, child safety and evidence-based standards, and urges the public to speak out.

10/02/2026

Well done Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, Inc.

10/01/2026

Well done NCO Head Start - Keep Speaking Up!

Happy Head Start Awareness Month!

This month, we’re celebrating everything that makes Head Start special, from our amazing children and families to our dedicated staff and supportive communities.

We’re kicking things off by recognizing our Chief Executive Officer, Program Director, and our Policy Council Chairperson/Board Member, who are currently in Washington, D.C., attending the National Head Start Association Fall Leadership Conference. While there, they are meeting with members of Congress to share the positive impact Head Start has on children, families, and communities and to highlight the importance of continued support for programs like ours. Stay tuned for more photos and videos of their experience!

Want to help share the importance of Head Start? We'd love to hear your story or your words of support. Check out the link below to learn how parents, families, and community members can share their experiences and help raise awareness about the impact Head Start has in our communities.

Sign this parent letter by October 2nd to voice your opinion of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM):
https://nhsa.org/nprm-resources/how-to-speak-up-for-head-start/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUqAXBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXhTc1NhZ0NmdjNUc0hNMnBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEevNXWgGMaC_Wnjhw0fHHiu-vX6YbH7dM6SiW2UxwfD8XToKHDlvCnTvEFRkg_aem_-s9SkZb-8afONnn4xLyK-w

National Head Start Association

10/01/2026

Head Start, a six-decade-old preschool program, works to lift children and their families out of poverty. Its two-generation approach is rooted in the idea that improving caregivers’ lives is as essential to a child’s success as what happens in the classroom. Parents can also serve on committees that help set the direction of their kids’ preschool.

“It’s always had that family connection,” said Loukisha Smart-Pennix of the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, which oversees several Head Start centers. “That’s been part and parcel of what Head Start was built on.”

https://zero2eight.substack.com/p/head-start-preschools-serve-parents?r=70xqzo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email