WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined a group of Democratic senators in demanding answers from the Trump Administration about the uncertainty faced by Head Start programs in Arizona as a result of the recent federal aid freeze.
Head Start programs connect 17,284 of Arizona’s most disadvantaged children with vital opportunities for early learning and development. While the White House later clarified that Head Start would not be targeted by the funding freeze and the OMB later rescinded memo, Head Start programs were temporarily unable to access their allocated federal funds, leaving teachers and staff without pay and threatening access to childcare for working families.
“Head Start programs cannot pay their teachers and staff and continue normal operations without the assurances of payment processing and notices of grant renewals and awards,” wrote the senators. “This will impact children, families, and communities across the country, particularly the rural communities where these programs represent a large share of the child care options.”
“This funding freeze created unnecessary stress for families, teachers, and staff who depend on us. Our programs run on tight budgets, and any delay in funding puts our ability to serve Arizona’s children at risk. We need transparency, stability, and a commitment that this will not happen again,” said the Arizona Head Start Association.
You can read the full letter HERE.