BOSTON, MA (August 9, 2023) – Today, Governor Healey reduced by $1 million funding for Head Start State Supplemental Grants in the Massachusetts FY24 budget, slashing lifeline funds for hardworking and burnt out Head Start teachers, staff, and programs. Head Start provides early education and comprehensive child and family services, including emergency housing and job supports, child and family mental health services, and nutrition to more than 10,000 of our Commonwealth’s most vulnerable young children. Head Start serves families earning under the Federal Poverty Guidelines, currently just $27,750 for a family of four, as well as families experiencing homelessness and children in foster care. Head Start provides services at no cost to eligible families.

In the 2021-2022 program year, Head Start programs across Massachusetts served 1,047 children from families experiencing homelessness and 470 children in foster care. 44% of all families served received emergency and crisis interventions, providing them immediate access to necessary shelter and medical services. 19% of families served received mental health services, rendering Head Start an essential component of preventative mental health services in Massachusetts.

Just yesterday, Governor Healey declared a State of Emergency given the unprecedented number of newly arriving migrant families in Massachusetts. The Governor called for a rallying of support for these vulnerable families. Since the start of this crisis, Head Start across the state has been going above and beyond to serve these families through existing programs and by creating new systems of support that meet these unique needs. Migrant families with children birth through age 5 are eligible for Head Start services at no cost, and Head Start programs are working tirelessly to serve these families with dignity. Programs are providing center based child care, home visiting services, setting up playgroups and child friendly spaces, and providing case management and referrals. Across our Emergency Assistance shelter system in Massachusetts, Head Start is visible and ready to meet its mission of serving vulnerable young families.

Head Start is already in a crisis. The early education workforce shortage has hit programs hard, and as of the Massachusetts Head Start Association’s most recent workforce survey in April 2023, Head Start programs are already operating at an 18% staff vacancy rate. Given decades of underfunding in existing state and federal funds, Head Start staff salaries have remained stagnant and cannot adequately meet the needs of educators. In fact, 67% of programs say that staff are leaving their programs for higher wages elsewhere. Head Start educators are highly qualified and degreed, and yet classroom teachers earn just $39,520 annually on average. Head Start State Supplemental Grants go directly to supporting this most basic need – over 90% of grant funds go to wage and salary support for Head Start staff.

Head Start is already in a crisis. The early education workforce shortage has hit programs hard, and as of the Massachusetts Head Start Association’s most recent workforce survey in April 2023, Head Start programs are already opera􀆟ng at an 18% staff vacancy rate. Given decades of underfunding in existing state and federal funds, Head Start staff salaries have remained stagnant and cannot adequately meet the needs of educators. In fact, 67% of programs say that staff are leaving their programs for higher wages elsewhere. Head Start educators are highly qualified and degreed, and yet classroom teachers earn just $39,520 annually on average. Head Start State Supplemental Grants go directly to supporting this most basic need – over 90% of grant funds go to wage and salary support for Head Start staff.

Head Start is also facing a crisis in Washington, DC. The US House Appropriations Committee has recommended a 6.25% cut for Head Start in the federal FY24 budget, which would devastate Head Start programs, forcing layoffs and elimination of services for vulnerable children and families. This additional cut by the Healey-Driscoll administration would add devastation to devastation, forcing painful decisions among programs to eliminate services in order to pay staff closer to what they deserve.

The FY24 Conference Committee budget included $17.5 million for Head Start State Supplemental Grants. The Head Start community is grateful for the legislature’s support for our dedicated and deserving workforce. Today’s reduction undermines the important work that has begun to properly value and respect the educators serving our youngest learners and would directly hit the wallets of those who are most deserving of more.

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