Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

So what is the latest target of our self declared king? Head Start! His target is poor children! Let’s say that again. His target is stopping poor children from getting ready for kindergarten. To get ready to learn!

I know Head Start because I worked with Head Start, and it was the best job! I had the privilege of working with and supporting parents prepare their children for school.

My role was to make sure families had the information about resources to keep them healthy, fed and supported. I encouraged parents to use everyday activities to teach language, math and social skills. The classroom experience built on these skills, and together we sent children off to kindergarten ready to learn.

For ever dollar invested in Head Start there is a return of $7 to $9 in benefits in increased income, reduced crime and improved health outcomes. (BCTPartners)

In addition:

Head Start children pay better attention in school, engage in learning and have positive relationships with parents, teachers and peers.

Head Start children have enhanced physical health, improved social skills and increased math, language and literacy skills that better prepare them for kindergarten and school.

Parents in Head Start are more engaged in supporting their children’s learning and success at home and in school.

Shutting down Head Start will ensure that untold numbers of children will be unprepared for school lacking the social skills to be successful, more likely to drop out of school.

There is no other social program that has the return on investment that Head Start has. But more important, it provides hope. Hope that life will be better for the children!

Karen Bell
Albert Lea