Landsman, Hayes, Lofgren Lead Legislation to Invest in Quality Early Childhood Education

Cincinnati, OH - Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Congresswoman Jahanna Hayes (D-CT-05), and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18) introduced legislation to significantly invest in and improve the Head Start program.

Head Start is a federally funded program that provides free early childhood education and family support to help prepare children for school. Head Start is critical in our communities but is under-resourced, outdated, and understaffed.

In response, Reps. Landsman, Hayes, and Lofgren introduced the Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act - comprehensive legislation to triple annual funding for Head Start and Early Head Start to $36 billion for Fiscal Years 2027-2032.

The Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act would:

1. Expand eligibility to include families who are at or below 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
2. Expand eligibility to include families who are eligible for TANF, SSI, SNAP, WIC, or CHIP.
3. Establish a grant program to renovate, expand, and acquire facilities.
4. Establish a grant program to increase salaries for Head Start and Early Head Start workers.
5. Provide student loan forgiveness for Head Start and Early Head Start workers.

Congressman Landsman:

"High quality preschool makes such a difference in our children's lives, and Head Start gives families the support they need to succeed. Our legislation will help more families give their children the best possible start."

Congresswoman Hayes:

"Head Start is one of the greatest anti-poverty programs that we have. It offers high-quality education, health, and social services to the youngest and most vulnerable among us during a critical developmental stage. The Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act demands immediate action in addressing the growing needs of this vital program and allows more families to access its services."

Congresswoman Lofgren:

"It's critical that America's children receive a first-class education and have opportunities that create a solid learning foundation. Under the Trump administration, critical federal education programs and agencies have been increasingly under threat. For more than 60 years, Head Start has played an important role in helping children enter school ready to learn and succeed. I am proud to join Reps. Hayes and Landsman in introducing the Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act to protect and preserve the Head Start program."

###