Words and magnetic letters are shown on a whiteboard on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Miami, at a Head Start classroom run by Easterseals Disability & Community Services, an organization that gets about a third of its funding from the federal government.
U.S. Sen. Shelly Moore Capito is shown, on June 28, 2024, at a media event in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä announcing $25 million in federal funding for the Capital Connector project, which will upgrade bicycle and pedestrian routes along the Kanawha Boulevard in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
Words and magnetic letters are shown on a whiteboard on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Miami, at a Head Start classroom run by Easterseals Disability & Community Services, an organization that gets about a third of its funding from the federal government.
REBECCA BLACKWELL | AP file photo
The White House has reversed course on a proposal to eliminate funding for Head Start, a long-standing preschool program that serves low-income families. Nearly 8,000 children in West Virginia rely on the program’s free services.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito’s office confirmed on Monday that President Donald Trump’s recent budget proposal, which was sent to Congress last week, did not propose cutting funding for Head Start after several news outlets confirmed that it was on the chopping block.
Head Start provides early education, wraparound services, healthy meals and more to children. The program employs nearly 3,000 workers in West Virginia.
“The [West Virginia Head Start Association] is relieved to find out that the proposed elimination of Head Start did not come out with the President’s skinny budget and remain hopeful when the final budget is released that it remains the same,†said Lori Milam, executive director of the West Virginia Head Start Association. “We are very thankful for the Head Start parents, past and present, staff, and community for signing on to the letters to Save Head Start and making calls to our senators and representatives.â€
Capito, R-W.Va., previously said she was working with federal health officials to ensure funding for Head Start.
“Throughout my time as a United States Senator, I have supported many efforts to promote programs that create a strong foundation for our children, such as Head Start. These important programs provide nutrition, health, education and social services to children and families in West Virginia, and across the nation,†Capito said in a statement to West Virginia Watch.
The president’s budget is a wish list. Congress decides how to appropriate federal funds.
U.S. Sen. Shelly Moore Capito is shown, on June 28, 2024, at a media event in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä announcing $25 million in federal funding for the Capital Connector project, which will upgrade bicycle and pedestrian routes along the Kanawha Boulevard in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE | Gazette-Mail
Lawsuits filed over cuts
The Trump administration has already slashed Head Start staff, closed half the program’s regional offices and delayed funding as part of ongoing efforts to reduce government spending.
Several states and advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, are suing the Trump administration over the Head Start changes. The lawsuit alleges that the actions already taken against the program, including shuttering its regional offices, required congressional approval.
Ming-Qi Chu, deputy director for the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU, said that Trump’s proposed Head Start funding is an “encouraging development†but that the lawsuit will continue because of his changes to the program. She noted delays in grant funding, which have affected West Virginia’s funding levels. Additionally, Trump’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion has impacted Head Start’s ability to hire and retain child care staff.
“[The lawsuit] challenges the steps that the administration has already taken to interfere with
Head Start providers’ ability to serve families now,†she said. “[Health and Human Services] is still interfering with their ability to serve families, stay open and provide certainty to the staff in the future.â€
Trump’s budget blueprint for the next year includes plans to slash more than $160 billion in federal spending. Head Start’s funding amount could still be impacted.
Other child care programs are still on the chopping block in Trump’s budget proposal, USA Today reported, including a proposal to cut $75 million in grants for colleges to support child-care services that help low-income parents enrolled in colleges.
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