The Pennsylvania Head Start Association, alongside bipartisan legislative leaders and providers from across the state, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the national Head Start program this week while issuing an urgent warning about the devastating impact of the ongoing state budget impasse and federal government shutdown on early childhood education.

The event featured a proclamation recognizing Head Start Awareness Month and powerful testimonials from providers detailing classroom closures, staff layoffs, and the dire financial maneuvers required to stay afloat.

“The future of Pennsylvania’s child care and pre-k system is on the line,” said Kara McFalls, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Head Start Association. “We have celebrated 60 years of Head Start’s legacy. Now, we must fight for its future. Every day without a budget, we jeopardize our children’s education, working families’ stability, and our overall economic success.”

Legislators from both parties emphasized the program’s proven track record and bipartisan support. “Before I ever ran for office, my career was dedicated to advocating for children and families,” said Rep. Justin Fleming (D-105). “Here in Pennsylvania, Head Start serves over 35,000 children, including over 1,000 in foster care and over 2,500 experiencing homelessness. We have the data. We have the bipartisan support. What we need now is the political will to fund it.”

The budget impasse has left some communities without access to the comprehensive education and health services that Head Start programs offer the children and families they serve.

Holly Strait, Senior Vice President of PathStone Corp., reported 12 closed classrooms, 145 children unserved, and 48 staff laid off. “On this 60th anniversary, we should be talking about how to expand this proven program, not how to save it from collapse.”

Pam Johnson, Executive Director of Jefferson-Clarion Head Start described a heavy heart on a day that should be filled with celebration. “As we speak, 323 children in our two counties are without the services they depend on,” said Johnson. “Their classrooms are silent. Their little chairs are empty. We have been forced to lay off over 50 dedicated, passionate staff members–the very people who are the lifeblood of this program.”

The providers underscored that the budget delay forces programs into an impossible choice: take on high-interest debt to pay teachers or close classrooms and lose irreplaceable staff to other industries, further crippling a sector already struggling with poverty-level wages.

“To date, we have stretched every dollar. We have used every resource. We have done this because we believe in the children,” shared Deidra Vachier, CEO of Community Services for Children, revealing her program has spent $2.6 million in reserves and will now need to access a line of credit, costing an additional $10,000 per month in interest. “We will keep doing our part as long as we can, but our state and federal lawmakers must also do theirs. Pass a state budget. End the federal shutdown.”

Participants called for an immediate resolution to the budget impasse and as part of the 2025-26 final state budget, Pennsylvania policymakers should include:

— $17 million in additional funding for Pre-K Counts.

— $9.5 million in additional funding for Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program.

— $55 million for child care teacher recruitment and retention funding.

The Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PA HSA) is a private, not-for-profit membership organization that represents the 61 Head Start grantees in Pennsylvania. For over 20 years, PA HSA has been committed to ensuring that every vulnerable child and family in Pennsylvania has the opportunity to succeed through access to high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive support services.