By Katie Hamm
In recognition of Head Start Awareness Month, Katie Hamm, acting director of the Office of Head Start, reflects on the program’s rich history and decades of service. Acting Director Hamm expresses her gratitude to Head Start staff for their hard work and shares her personal experiences with the program. She also encourages everyone to “share the good news” about Head Start services with family, friends, and their communities this October and year round.
Celebrating Head Start Awareness Month
Celebrating Head Start Awareness Month
Katie Hamm: Hi, I'm Katie Hamm, and I'm the acting director of the Office of Head Start. October is Head Start Awareness Month. All month we celebrate Head Start's rich history, decades of serving children and families, and we honor the staff who make it all possible.
I got my own start in early childhood education in Head Start. As a high school student, I was a volunteer at our local program in Stafford County, Virginia. Many years later, my son enrolled in DC's Universal Preschool Program, where he also benefited from the high-quality standards and the comprehensive services offered in Head Start. Over the years, Head Start has set the gold standard when it comes to delivering high quality early education.
Recently, I was traveling in Washington state, and I met a father who told me that he learned about Early Head Start from his friend, who was the bus driver. He told him that Early Head Start could help him as he became a new father and support him and his daughter. It just goes to show that we never know who might benefit from Head Start, and it's important we share the good news and the program benefits with everyone who might benefit.
This October, I encourage you to share with your family and friends, with your community, with your leaders across the state and federal government. Tell them about Head Start. Tell them what it's meant for you and your family, for your community. It's important that we share the good news, and we make sure everyone is aware of Head Start and all that it does for families, for our economy, and our communities in October and all year round.
Thank you.
Close Katie Hamm is the acting director of the Office of Head Start and deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Early Childhood Development.