Stop congress from defunding Head Start:

The federal government is considering budget cuts that could defund and shut down Head Start/Early Head Start programs nationwide, including the Volunteers of America Los Angeles (VOALA) Head Start/ Early Head Start programs in Los Angeles.

If these cuts go through, more than 2,000 VOALA children and their families in our area of service could lose access to essential services like:

• Childcare for working families
• Preparing children to get a head start in learning
• Nutritious meals
• Health and dental checkups
• Disability services for children with special needs
• Support for social and emotional growth
• Prenatal services to new mothers
• Parenting services to parents with newborns

These services are critical during the first five years of a child’s life, when their brains and bodies are growing the fastest. Additionally, Head Start provides needed services to new parents, parents of children with special needs, parents that are struggling and need support.

Since 1965, Head Start was created and designed to help break the cycle of poverty. It gave preschool children from families with low income a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional, and educational needs.  Today, Head Start has helped more than 40 million children build a strong foundation for school and life. That’s about 12% of the U.S. population.

Here’s what Head Start does for families:

• Helps kids learn early skills in reading, vocabulary, and math
• Leads to better success in school, including higher graduation and college rates
• Supports better health with meals, doctor visits, and dental care
• Improves behavior and social skills, helping kids work and play well with others
• It provides early intervention to children who have special needs
• Supports parents with education and resources on what to do if you have a special needs child.

Head Start is an investment in the future. Children of Head Start graduates often do better in school and life. The program eventually saves money long-term by lowering crime, reducing special education needs, and helping people earn more over time.

We know how important Head Start is to your child and family. We need to work together to protect this vital program. These are your tax dollars at work for the important needs of children and families in our community and fulfills our mission of serving those in need.

Stop congress from defunding Head Start:

Here’s what you can do:

Call or write your California Senators:

Alex Padilla
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3553

Adam Schiff
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3841

Call or write your Congressional representatives:

Los Angeles County Congressional Representatives for our Head Start Service Areas

District 27 – George Whitesides (D)

• Areas Covered: San Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster
• Office: 1504 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
• Phone: (202) 225-1956
• Website: whitesides.house.gov

District 29 – Luz Rivas (D)

• Areas Covered: San Fernando, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Sun Valley, Sylmar
• Office: 1319 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
• Phone: (202) 225-6131
• Website: rivas.house.gov

District 34 – Jimmy Gomez (D)

• Areas Covered: Eagle Rock, Boyle Heights, Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown
• Office: 350 S. Bixel St., Ste. 120, Los Angeles, CA 90017
• Phone: (213) 481-1425
• Website: gomez.house.gov​

District 36 – Ted Lieu (D)

• Areas Covered: West Los Angeles, including parts of Culver City and Santa Monica
• Office: 1645 Corinth Ave., Suite 101, Los Angeles, CA 90025
• Phone: (310) 651-1040
• Website: lieu.house.gov

District 37 – Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D)

• Areas Covered: Southwest Los Angeles, including Culver City and parts of Inglewood
• Office: 144 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC  20515
• Phone: (202) 225-7084
• Website: https://kamlager-dove.house.gov

District 43 – Maxine Waters (D)

• Areas Covered: South Los Angeles, including parts of Hawthorne and Inglewood
• Office: 2851 W. 120th St., Suite H, Hawthorne, CA 90250
• Phone: (323) 757-8900
• Website: waters.house.gov​

District 44 – Nanette Barragán (D)

• Areas Covered: Southwest Los Angeles, including parts of San Pedro and Carson
• Office: 302 W. Fifth St., Suite 201, San Pedro, CA 90731
• Phone: (310) 831-1799
• Website: barragan.house.gov​

You can also use this link to contact your congressional representatives.

https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/HeadStart/Campaigns/125064/Respond

Thank you for being part of our Head Start family and helping to save a much-needed community resource.

Sincerely,

VOALA Team