CT CHILDCARE ADVOCATES PUSH BACK AGAINST HEAD START CUTS AMID DEI POLICY SHIFTS

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At the start of Trump’s second term, the administration announced a freeze on federal grants that provide the primary funding for Head Start, an early education program that serves more than 500,000 low-income children.

Jessica Sager, CEO of All Our Kin, a Connecticut-based nonprofit operating in 33 states, voiced concerns over funding cuts and recent federal efforts to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In an interview with Boceto Media, Sager emphasized the role Head Start has played since its creation in 1965.“Headstart is a lifeline for parents. It helps them succeed in the workforce so these parents will lose both childcare and a real source of advocacy and support so that's gonna be a huge loss,” she said.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sent a letter to Head Start recipients, underscoring President Trump's executive order to limit the implementation of DEI initiatives across federal programs, including Head Start.

“The Office of Head Start will not approve the use of federal funding for any training and technical assistance or other program expenditures that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This includes expenditures for services provided by contractors or vendors.”

Sager said the loss of federal funding is expected to worsen Connecticut’s ongoing childcare crisis. With parents already struggling to find affordable care, the cuts could destabilize the state’s early childhood education sector. While her organization has not yet experienced staff departures, she emphasized the broader challenge of retaining educators who are underpaid and overworked.

"Children would lose their childcare slots overnight. Many of them have language delays. Many of them need support from early intervention services." Sager added. " That's gonna be a huge loss for our state and for All our Kin. We would be forced to close our Headstart program."

The impact of the funding cuts is not limited to Connecticut. Nationwide, approximately 827,572 children and pregnant women could lose access to Head Start programs due to these reductions. In Connecticut alone, Sager noted that the state could lose up to 5,539 slots, which would further strain an already limited system. "It would be a tragedy if that happens," she added.

In February, Governor Ned Lamont proposed An Act Creating the Universal Preschool Endowment Fund using $300 million from the state’s fiscal surplus. The plan aims to expand preschool access by adding 20,000 new seats by 2032 and making preschool free for families earning up to $100,000 a year. The bill has been referred to the Education Committee.

Despite this forward-thinking proposal, Sager remains concerned about the impact of federal cuts on Head Start and other programs that rely on federal support. "We're fortunate that in Connecticut, we have lawmakers who really care about early childhood," she said. "There is no way our state can replace that. We just don't have the money. You know, we don't have as much money as the federal government does."

Sager also noted that the situation is part of a broader national conversation, with coalitions like Childcare for Connecticut’s Future pushing lawmakers to act. On May 7, the coalition will stage a "Morning Without Childcare" protest to raise awareness about the need for more funding, with parents and childcare providers joining forces to advocate for change.

"Make the message heard loud and clear; we need funding for childcare. The economy cannot function without childcare. No one can function without childcare. ," Sager said.

As the debate continues at the federal level, the call for lawmakers to protect vital services like Head Start is growing louder. With both Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressing concerns about the future of childcare funding, the next few months will be critical in determining the trajectory of early childhood education across the nation.

"The question is really about Congress: are they going to listen to their constituents?”she concluded.