#head-start

#head-start

The initiative is part of the NYC Bright Starts program, and it was pitched to reinforce New York City Public Schools' existing infant and toddler programs through the federal Head Start program, which offers a variety of services to support school-readiness for children from birth to age 5 for low-income families. Last year, the Trump administration attempted to bar undocumented immigrant children from enrolling in Head Start programs, but a federal judge's injunction put the effort on hold nationwide in September.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is fighting back in court against the Trump administration and Heath and Human Services (HHS) Department's attempt to attack programming aimed at early education and the education of marginalized groups. "The Trump administration sent Head Start employees a six-page list of 'prohibited words' for grant applications, including terms like: disabilities, tribal, Black, and women," the group wrote on social media this week. "The administration wants to erase communities and block access to early childhood services. We'll see them in court."

"For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans' tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration. Today's action changes that - it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law, and protects vital resources for the American people."

In early April, Head Start child-care centers were told they must provide additional information before accessing funding, raising concerns over the future of the program.

The federally funded program offered me a safe place to learn and socialize.

The recent budget proposal not only threatens Head Start but also seeks to terminate various vital programs like Healthy Start, impacting families with young children.