As a federal proposal to change the Head Start program nears the end of its public comment period, early childhood advocates in Durham are raising concerns about its potential effect on children and families.
For decades, Head Start has helped children from birth to age 5 prepare for kindergarten. The program provides education, health and family support services to more than 700,000 children nationwide, including hundreds of families in Durham.
“They address mental health issues. They help families navigate through different systems to qualify for public assistance, for food stamps, for housing,” said Dr. Linda Chappel, senior vice president of Triangle Area Child Care Resource and Referral Services at Early Years. “They help people in accessing new employment. So the family support services are unique to Head Start and are not available in the traditional early education programs.”…