Goodlander Pushes Back Against Trump Administration Plan to Dismantle Head Start, Protects New Hampshire Children and Working Families

Goodlander joins 190 colleagues urging Secretary Kennedy to withdraw proposed rule that would dismantle safeguards for early education, child safety, and health services.

Concord, N.H. — Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) joined House and Senate colleagues this week in urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to withdraw a proposed rule that would weaken Head Start standards protecting children and supporting working families across New Hampshire.

The letter opposes the Administration’s proposed “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs” rule, warning that it would remove more than 90 percent of existing program standards and undermine the high-quality early education, health services, and family support that make Head Start a lifeline for families.

“Every child in New Hampshire deserves a safe place to learn, grow, and get a fair shot at success. Head Start helps deliver on that promise while helping hardworking parents stay in the workforce and provide for their families,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “At a time when Granite Staters are struggling to find and afford childcare, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is brazenly trying to dismantle Head Start, and make it harder for kids and families to get the care they need. That is unacceptable. I’m fighting to protect Head Start and make quality childcare more affordable and accessible for New Hampshire families.”

The lawmakers warn that the proposal would eliminate federal requirements governing staff-to-child ratios and class sizes, weaken staff qualifications and safety training, and roll back standards for developmental screenings, dental care, and mental health services. They also raise concerns that shorter program hours would leave working parents scrambling to find additional childcare, while new documentation requirements would create barriers for families with the greatest needs.

The letter further objects to removing detailed protections for children with disabilities and children experiencing homelessness, and to changes that would undermine instruction for dual-language learners.

Read the full letter HERE.

BACKGROUND ON GOODLANDER’S ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN AND WORKING FAMILIES

Congresswoman Goodlander is working to lower childcare costs, expand access to early education, and support the educators and programs New Hampshire families rely on.

• Defending Head Start: Goodlander previously joined the Democratic Women’s Caucus in urging Secretary Kennedy to withdraw the same proposed rule, opposing efforts to weaken standards for child safety, early learning, health services, and support for children with disabilities.
• Making quality childcare more affordable: Goodlander helped introduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, which would cap working families’ childcare expenses at seven percent of income, expand the supply of quality care, and increase wages for early childhood educators. The legislation would also support full-day, full-year Head Start programs and higher wages for Head Start workers.
• Helping children and families get to school: Goodlander introduced the bipartisan PATH to Education Act to improve affordable, reliable transportation to Head Start centers and educational institutions. The bill would help connect transit routes to schools and better align transportation schedules with program hours.
• Investing in New Hampshire’s childcare workforce: Goodlander helped secure nearly $1 million for Nashua Community College’s Early Childhood Education Center. The center will help prepare future early childhood educators and expand access to quality childcare, with opportunities for students to observe, collaborate, and teach alongside Head Start teachers.
• Expanding childcare in New Hampshire communities: Goodlander helped secure federal Community Project Funding, including $1 million for Bristol’s Tapply-Thompson Community Center, $688,000 for the Gorham Community Learning Center, and $1.6 million for Sullivan County’s Regional Childcare Enhancement Project. These investments will support a new community center in Bristol, conversion of a vacant bank into a childcare facility in Gorham, and a new childcare center on Sullivan County’s Unity Campus.

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