Head Start Funding for Fiscal Year 2009
Congress has begun work on next
year's budget allocations for Head Start, and at this point the
following has been proposed:
·
House Labor HHS Subcommittee = $242 million increase for 2009
·
Senate Appropriations Committee = $223 million increase for 2009
However,
a Continuing Resolution has been passed that is effective through February
2009. This means that programs will
continue to be funded at this year’s allocations with no changes (i.e., flat
funding).
The
United States Congress is currently on recess for the Summer District
Work Period (August 11-September 5). The District Work Period gives
members of Congress (representatives and senators) the opportunity to
return to their respective congressional districts (or, for senators,
their states).
This is an excellent opportunity for Head Start
programs to contact your representative and senators to not only
communicate your needs but also to invite your members of Congress to
visit your Head Start program; meet with educators, parents, staff, and
community supporters; and discuss the challenges your program faces in
delivering high-quality services due to cuts in funding and the effects
of inflation.
It is also a prime opportunity to discuss
Head Start and Early Head Start funding and to obtain their commitment
to not only supporting the Head Start program but also to providing the
necessary funding resources needed to enable Head Start programs to
implement the new requirements mandated in the reauthorization.
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