By Dr. Bernadine Futrell
Head Start family,
On April 28, 2021, President Biden announced the American Families Plan. It is a historic investment in children and families that will change the landscape of opportunity in our nation. Specifically, the American Families Plan will expand access to high-quality early childhood education and child care programs. I am energized by this transformational historic investment, and we at the Office of Head Start are looking forward to working with you to support the president’s plan.
The American Families Plan will ensure families have access to quality pre-kindergarten for their 3- and 4-year-old children. As the largest federal investment in high-quality early care and education for preschoolers, the Head Start program is an essential part of this country’s pre-kindergarten infrastructure. The Head Start program’s emphasis on social justice, equity, and family-centered practices are critical components of the administration’s bold vision of universal access.
President Biden’s plan includes Head Start programs as part of a mixed delivery system to increase access to quality preschool. This administration is committed to fighting poverty, empowering families, combating racism, and making sure every child arrives at kindergarten ready to succeed. The Head Start program already plays a central role in achieving all those goals with a whole-child, whole-family, and whole-community approach. With more than 55 years of experience, Head Start programs know the power of partnering with families and providing comprehensive early childhood services to change the trajectory of children’s lives.
I am also excited about the Biden-Harris administration’s plans to increase compensation for teachers and strengthen educator pipelines by expanding opportunities for all to attend college. Our teachers deserve fair compensation that supports their families’ economic security and recognizes their critical role in shaping America’s future. Notably, the American Families Plan proposes long overdue wage increases for Head Start staff.
The American Families Plan will further improve the lives of our Head Start families through extended child tax credits, expanded nutrition assistance, lowered health care costs, and comprehensive paid family and medical leave. These supports will promote our families’ economic security.
We are all concerned about how our youngest children are faring right now, not just in terms of school readiness, but also their social and emotional well-being, nutrition, and health. The Biden-Harris administration’s investment in early childhood development, care, and education will help. This announcement allows us to begin looking beyond the pandemic and build back better with equitable, universal early education for all children and families.
In truth, unity, and love,
/ Dr. Bernadine Futrell /
Dr. Bernadine Futrell
Director
Office of Head Start
Dr. Bernadine Futrell is the Director of the Office of Head Start.