Fudge, Stivers Introduce Head Start Extended Duration Grants Act

Press Release

Today, Reps. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and Steve Stivers (OH-15) introduced the Head Start Extended Duration Grants Act to expand access to full-day, full-year Head Start programs and enhance the quality of programs that already offer those services.

"Head Start supports early learning, school readiness and healthy development for nearly one million low-income children each year, including many children of color," said Rep. Fudge. "One of the best ways to improve on the successes of Head Start is to increase the duration of services provided to children. Full-day, full-year programs lead to greater learning for students and help to support working parents, but many children and families lack access to these services. The Head Start Extended Duration Grants Act will help Head Start programs offer more hours of service without reducing the number of children they serve. As programs work to reopen safely, extended duration grants will also help to support Head Start teachers and uplift vulnerable children and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic."

"Education has, and will continue to look different in communities across the country, but what won't change is the vital need for kids to receive a strong educational foundation," said Rep. Stivers. "I'm proud to support full day expansion of Head Start because every child deserves access to the tools they need to create a bright future."

"Now more than ever, children and families from at-risk backgrounds are relying on their Head Start programs to be a source of stability as they navigate life's challenges," said Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director of the National Head Start Association. "The Head Start Extended Duration Grants Act will unleash the full potential of Head Start programs to create a nurturing and enriching learning environment for babies and young children, while also partnering with their parents to realize their professional and educational goals. Head Start applauds Congresswoman Marcia Fudge and Congressman Steve Stivers for championing this legislation and empowering America's most vulnerable children and families to unlock their full potential."

From 2015 to 2018, the percentage of children enrolled in full-day, full-year Head Start programs rose from 46 percent to 57 percent. However, around a third of Head Start children attend only partial-day programs.

The Head Start Extended Duration Grants Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants to Head Start programs to expand the high-quality educational services they currently provide; supply additional classroom materials; hire staff; and implement further professional development for existing teachers for full-day, full-year programs. The bill also requires annual reporting to Congress on the impact of the extended duration grants on access to, and the quality of, Head Start services and programming.

The Head Start Extended Duration Grants Act is endorsed by the National Head Start Association.

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