little girl with dandelion

Call to Action: Support Head Start


Take action: Tell Congress, "Cuts to Head Start hurt children, families, and communities. Protect this essential program."


WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Late on April 17, a leaked memo from the Office of Management and Budget showed that the White House’s budget request will call for eliminating Head Start entirely. That would immediately cut off nearly 800,000 children from free early education, meals, health screenings and family support services they currently depend on. It would also dismantle the local community programs—both in cities and rural areas—that give parents a voice in how their kids learn.

IHSA Press Release

WHY IT MATTERS?
Right now, nearly 800,000 Illinois kids rely on Head Start for early education, health care, and meals. If Congress lets the White House’s budget wish list stand, they’ll lose access to services they can’t get anywhere else.
“Ending the program would have ‘catastrophic’ consequences for some of the poorest people in the U.S.” —Axios

“Money for the Head Start program  would be eliminated.” —Washington Post

ACT NOW TO SAVE HEAD START!

HEAD START'S IMPACT

800K+ children served annually
$8–$12 return for every $1 invested
60 years of bipartisan support

Are you more the strong and silent type? 

Fuel our advocacy effort - A gift of $1 for each child we serve (about $28,600 at full scale) powers our work in Springfield and Washington, D.C

I want to support advocacy to #ProtectHeadStart


TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW!

Add Your Voice

Go to NHSA

Unite with Others

Join FFYP

Check out FFYP Save HS Toolkit


DON'T STOP NOW - MORE WAYS TO SPEAK UP

Share Your Story

  • Record or write 
    • Shoot a quick 30 second video or type 2–3 sentences about why Head Start matters to you, your family, your classroom, or your community.
  • Post on social media
    • Upload your video or text to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
    • Use #ProtectHeadStart and tag @ILHeadStart and @YourMemberofCongress so we/they see it.
  • Email it in
    • Send your video file or written story to info@ilheadstart.org with the subject line “My Head Start Story.”
    • Get featured - We’ll pick our favorites to share on the IHSA website and social channels—your voice could inspire hundreds more people to stand up for Head Start!

This way, whether you post, tag, or email, your story reaches both your lawmakers and the entire IHSA community.

Write a Letter to the Editor

Pick your local paper (online or print), follow their submission guidelines, and explain how Head Start helps your community. Keep it under 200 words and mention “budget cuts” by name."

Not sure where to begin? 

Check this sample to inspire you.

Submit an Op-ED

If you have deeper experience, draft a 600 word piece for your state’s largest outlet. Focus on local data—how many kids in your county rely on Head Start?

Attend Your Congressional Member's Town Hall

Find upcoming in-district events on their website. Arrive early with one clear sentence: “I’m here because Head Start serves nearly 800,000 kids—we need you to support Head Start."

Harness the Power of Social Media

- COMING SOON -

Use Social Media Tools Download our ready to post graphics and sample captions (link to /social-toolkit), then share.