Stories from Wisconsin providers, educators and parents demonstrate the foundational importance of Head Start, and the devastation that would occur if the program were eliminated or cut
Madison, WISCONSIN – The Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy (CFFE) released a storybook today ahead of the 60th anniversary of Head Start, highlighting stories of Wisconsin providers, educators and parents who have benefited from Head Start.
“Across Wisconsin and our country, too many working parents have to choose between work and child care,” said Sondra Goldschein, Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy executive director. “Head Start provides working families with the foundational support they need to be able to go to work knowing their kids are in a safe and healthy environment to learn and grow.”
Across the Badger State, Head Start serves over 16,000 children and employs more than 4,300 Wisconsinites, making it among the top 100 employers in the state. Without Head Start, not only would kids be left without childcare; many families would become single-income households, which would have a devastating impact on our economy.
Working families have earned the security and predictability Head Start provides. Unfortunately, the Trump administration has threatened that security, including by imposing a temporary freeze of funding for Head Start and closing down regional Head Start offices.
“Working families are already struggling to make ends meet, and the high cost of child care is making an untenable situation even worse,” said Brita Olsen, Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy Wisconsin state director. “President Donald Trump needs to follow-through on his promises to lower costs for working families by ensuring Head Start is fully funded and vital staff are reinstated.”
View our Head Start storybook here. If you are interested in speaking with anyone from CFFE or any of the storytellers featured, please contact press@familyfriendlyeconomy.org.
