Head Start plays a key role in the state in providing quality early care and education, but its success is hampered by a lack of full federal funding even as
demands made on Head Start programs increase. This federally funded preschool and child development program serves roughly 40,000 mostly poor children and their families annually in the state of Michigan. The program also connects families to other vital services to meet their basic needs.

There are 103 Head Start programs including 82 Head Start and 21 Early Head Start serving residents in all 83 Michigan counties. All programs are composed of multiple sites, some with several classrooms. Traditionally Head Start provided a part-day program during the school year, but more programs are broadening options to serve the needs of working parents. 

The program is an essential component of early childhood education for the state’s children who would not otherwise have access to formal school readiness activities. Children benefit from the early center-based social interaction and intellectual development provided by a preschool experience. Head Start places poor children on a trajectory for success in school when they might otherwise need to play catch-up the first day of kindergarten.

Multiple studies, including a 40-year study of Head Start participants in Ypsilanti, Michigan, indicate that participation in Head Start programs provides measurable long-term benefits to poor children including higher IQ test scores, higher average financial earnings, and better overall health than those who did not participate in Head Start. This evidence has helped to keep Head Start funding as a part of the federal budget for the past 43 years.

Last year the U.S. Congress passed the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007. This reauthorization aims to strengthen the program in several ways by:
1) Expanding eligibility limits to include up to 35 percent of children whose families are living between 100 and 130 percent of the poverty level as opposed to only children whose families are below the poverty level;
2) Providing more flexibility in converting to full day/full year services; and
3) Increasing credential standards for Head Start Teachers and Assistant Teachers

Unfortunately, recent appropriations have grossly under-funded Head Start programs limiting access for eligible children and families. After passing this reauthorization bill with many new requirements, the White House and Congress approved appropriations that cut Head Start funding—even before adjusting for inflation. The 2008 cut in funding amounts to an 11 percent decrease ($893 million) in funding from the 2002 level when adjusted for inflation. This budget ensures that Head Start programs will not have the funds to serve all eligible children and families or to pay for more credentialed teachers. In fact, some Michigan programs have already reduced enrollment to avoid compromising program quality due to flat funding.

This funding shortfall is set to continue into the 2009 fiscal year. The President’s Executive Budget for FY2009 proposed a small increase (2%) in Head Start funding, not even adequate to cover cost increases due to inflation. This level of funding would mean that 14,000 fewer children will receive Head Start throughout the country—roughly 540 fewer children in Michigan will be served.

The state of Michigan has a vested interest in advocating for a fully funded Head Start program. Michigan’s state legislators have passed strict K-12 educational guidelines to prepare Michigan’s students to be competitive after high school. Preparation for this success begins before students enter kindergarten. Many families in Michigan, especially during hard economic times, rely on Head Start to ensure their children are ready to learn.

That is why we are calling on policymakers, advocates, and concerned citizens in Michigan to urge Congress to fix the budget shortfall in Head Start by including at least $472 million in the 2008 supplemental appropriations bill to fill the current funding gap as well as an additional $360 million above the prior fiscal year’s funding level for each fiscal year from 2009 to 2013.