Despite a long history of bipartisan support, recent reports indicate that Head Start funding may be at risk.
Head Start is a critical component of the nation's early childhood infrastructure and has been for over fifty years. Let Congress know why they need to #ProtectHeadStart by using our social media toolkit below!
Other Ways to Take Action:
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded, locally administered programs—tailored to communities’ needs—that provide comprehensive services for children from families with lower incomes. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start provides child care to parents working at employers across the state, from chicken processing plants to the service industry. Early care and education is a critical component of Head Start’s two-generation approach. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start provides comprehensive wraparound services, such as employment and education support for caregivers and health care screenings and referrals for little ones. This is especially critical in rural Georgia, where 64 counties have no pediatrician. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Researchers estimate that the federal government earns 5-9% more per year than it spends on Head Start. That savings comes from Head Start graduates’ reduced need for future public assistance. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start helps fill a critical void in Georgia’s rural communities, where it is often the only child care option. In Georgia, more than 1 in 4 rural child care slots are provided by Head Start. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start providers must comply with all state licensing requirements and additional standards put in place by the federal government. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start programs are uniquely suited to support children with disabilities. Nationally, 14 percent of children enrolled in Head Start have a disability or developmental delay. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
States and communities braid and blend funding from various sources, including Head Start, to ensure seamless delivery of early care and education. Cuts to Head Start would destabilize the entire early childhood ecosystem, from Pre-K to child care to home visiting to services for young children with developmental delays. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start programs provide local communities with flexibility to meet the needs of our youngest children and their parents. There are 379 Head Start and Early Head Start locations across Georgia. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start programs employ over 6,000 Georgians. Head Start plays an outsized role in Georgia’s rural communities, serving as a major employer and acting as a critical hub for community resources for rural families. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
85% of Georgians say that child care and early learning programs are a good investment of taxpayers’ money. Even 78% of those who say federal spending is too high believe child care to be a good investment. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Military families face unique challenges due to frequent relocations, deployments, & demanding service schedules, which can impact a child’s well-being. Head Start helps more than 300 active military or veteran families in GA navigate these challenges. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Despite a long history of bipartisan support, recent reports indicate that Head Start funding is at risk. Take action to help protect funding for this critical program: https://www.votervoice.net/GEEARS/Campaigns/121769/Respond #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Your stories — whether as a Head Start provider, teacher, or parent/caregiver — are critical to protecting Head Start. Share your story: https://vocalvideo.com/c/ProtectHeadStart
Head Start programs have the flexibility to meet the needs of their communities’ youngest children and their parents. There are 379 Head Start and Early Head Start locations across Georgia. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start provides child care to parents working at employers across the state, from chicken processing plants to manufacturing to the tourism and service industry. Early care and education is a critical component of Head Start’s two-generation approach. Without child care, parents cannot work. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start provides essential services, such as physical, mental, and oral health care screenings and referrals; nutrition; early intervention for children with disabilities; and employment and education support for caregivers. This is especially critical in rural Georgia, where 64 of 159 counties have no pediatrician. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Researchers estimate that the federal government earns 5-9% more per year than it spends on Head Start. That savings comes from Head Start graduates’ reduced need for future public assistance. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start helps fill a critical void in Georgia’s rural communities, where it is often the only child care option. In Georgia, more than 1 in 4 child care slots in rural communities are provided by Head Start.
Head Start is also a major employer in these small communities. More than 6,000 Georgians are employed by Head Start programs across the state. Don’t leave rural Georgia out. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start providers must comply with all state licensing requirements and additional standards put in place by the federal government. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start helps military families navigate these unique challenges. Military families face frequent relocations, deployments, and demanding service schedules. These unique challenges can impact a child’s education, emotional well-being, and access to stable child care. More than 300 active military or veteran families are served by Head Start in Georgia. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start programs are uniquely suited to support children with disabilities. Nationally, 14 percent of children enrolled in Head Start have a disability or developmental delay. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
States and communities braid and blend funding from various sources, including Head Start, to ensure seamless delivery of early care and education. Cuts to Head Start would destabilize the entire early childhood ecosystem, from Pre-K to child care to home visiting to services for young children with developmental delays. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start programs have the flexibility to meet the needs of their communities’ youngest children and their parents. There are 379 Head Start and Early Head Start locations across our state. Wherever you live in Georgia, let your members of Congress know that they must oppose any effort to eliminate or dramatically cut funding for Head Start. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Head Start programs employ over 6,000 Georgians. Head Start plays an especially outsized role in Georgia’s rural communities, serving as a major employer and acting as a critical hub for community resources for rural families. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
85% of Georgians say that child care and early learning programs are a good investment of taxpayers’ money. Even 78% of those who say federal spending is too high believe child care to be a good investment. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
In 2024, more than $280 million in Head Start grants flowed to Georgia child care providers—many of them in rural areas—and served 20,000+ children. Despite a long history of bipartisan support, recent reports indicate that Head Start funding may be at risk.
Use the action alert link in our bio to reach out to Congress and ask them to protect funding for this critical program. #gapol #ProtectHeadStart
Your stories — whether as a Head Start provider, teacher, or parent/caregiver — strengthen our advocacy to protect Head Start. We’ll share your experiences with Georgia's Congressional Delegation and our networks as we work to improve outcomes for young children and families in our state. Click the link in our bio to share your story. #ProtectHeadStart
October 5th
October 23th
Starts October 13th
November 3rd
Families with young children and the people who care for them often feel overlooked by policymakers. Vote early to make their voices heard. Check My Voter Page for locations: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/ #gapol
Voting by absentee ballot in the runoff election? Request and return your ballot ASAP to make sure your vote gets counted: https://securemyabsenteeballot.sos.ga.gov/s/ #gapol
Elected officials at all levels of government—federal, state, and local—have the power to positively impact early childhood outcomes. Learn more by checking out GEEARS' updated 2024 Voter Guide:: www.geears.org/vote #gapol
Many families are one financial crisis away from catastrophe. Policymakers can play a critical role in protecting the economic security of Georgia families with young children. Learn more at www.geears.org/vote #gapol
There are 635,299 children under the age of 5 in Georgia. Let’s make their potential our priority. Check your registration and more at https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/
Your vote on December 6th can help ensure that all of Georgia's children are reading proficiently by the end of third grade: www.geears.org/vote #gapol #earlyed
Georgia has some of the highest rates of infant & maternal mortality in the country, particularly for black mothers & babies. Ask candidates running for office how they plan to support healthy parents, healthy pregnancies, & healthy babies. Learn more: www.geears.org/vote
Child care is expensive, representing up to 40% of a low-income family’s budget. Use your vote to help make #earlyed more affordable and accessible. Learn more at www.geears.org/vote #gapol
Use your vote to help make our state a place where all families, children, and people who care for them can thrive. Learn about the issues and key deadlines at www.geears.org/vote #gapol #earlyed
Your voice is their future. Early voting starts October 15th! Check My Voter Page for locations, a sample ballot, and more.
Voting by absentee ballot in the runoff election? Request and return your ballot ASAP to make sure your vote gets counted.
Elected officials at all levels of government—federal, state, and local—have the power to positively impact early childhood outcomes. Learn more about key offices and who is running in 2024 by checking out GEEARS' Voter Guide.
Use your vote to help make our state a place where all families, children, and people who care for them can thrive. Learn more about the issues and key deadlines with GEEARS' 2024 Georgia Voter Guide on Early Childhood.
Families with young children and the people who care for them often feel overlooked by policymakers. Vote early to make their voices heard. Check My Voter Page for locations, a sample ballot, and more.
Supporting the physical and mental health of young children and their caregivers provides the foundation for lifelong physical, cognitive, and social-emotional well-being. Early voting starts October 15th!
Some counties offer additional early voting days. Check with your county elections office for times and locations.
Your vote shapes their future. Early voting starts October 15th. Some counties offer additional early voting days. Check with your county elections office for times and locations.
Georgia's youngest children are counting on you to help shape our future by voting in the runoff election. Learn about the key issues, dates, and more by visiting GEEARS' voter guide.
The child care workforce is facing severe staffing shortages due to very low wages and a lack of support. Keep this essential workforce in mind as you cast your ballot in the runoff election.
Learn about the key issues, dates, and more by visiting GEEARS' voter guide.
Child care facilities are as essential as public schools and libraries. Child care if infrastructure and needs our support. Child care infrastructure funding can strengthen local economies, support working families, and create better learning environments for children. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare
Georgia has an opportunity to build stronger communities. As a state, we must invest in the child care facilities that support children, families, educators, and local economies. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare
There’s a reason that safe, engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments are called the “third teacher.” Facilities play a critical role in children’s learning and development. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare
Child care is infrastructure, just like roads, housing, and utilities. Communities need quality child care facilities to support families and a strong workforce. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare
Many child care providers would expand or improve their programs if they could only afford facility repairs and renovations. Strategic state investment can help providers grow and serve more families. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare
Child care facilities are more than buildings — they are part of the infrastructure families rely on every day. When programs have safe, functional, developmentally appropriate spaces, children thrive, educators are better supported, and parents are able to work.
Georgia’s economy depends on capital investment. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare
Investments in child care facilities help families get to work, which in turn, helps strengthen communities. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare
Georgia’s child care providers want to expand classrooms, improve playgrounds, modernize facilities, and better serve children and families. But too many programs lack access to repair and renovation funds. It’s time for Georgia to add to support capital improvements to child care facilities. #BuildUpGA #GaNeedsChildCare
