[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6242313,"mediaKeyId","3247924-87e2ab1b1318e1c04760a730e8d6b19e","parentId",3247924,"title","Federal grant freeze briefly threatened Oregon Head Start programs; state and lawmakers stepped in","audioSeconds",382,"startMs",764000,"endMs",1146000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247924-87e2ab1b1318e1c04760a730e8d6b19e&start=764&end=1146","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247924-87e2ab1b1318e1c04760a730e8d6b19e/thumbnail_764000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242313/Oregon/Federal-grant-freeze-briefly-threatened-Oregon-Head-Start-programs-state-and-lawmakers-stepped-in","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242313-55fe5ff24cd66a36758a1070137d5333/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668465&Signature=QjFMOZuLeRxB5iDLHHVIEK80B5jvWrVJYGLgazQbcPL8~NmiEuHVFV54mCjZhgE7w-5~5FeRIFKmYujfC2fJR7Msajm1BlWIVwnkb0SFhRx8ql~vDeWwbjJHmIzg-AkP5s0bFFpVjG57WY02UK1U209g4qY2pgXSPntKZ51DQqTrytpPXcuJo0HIqNcybUIkVtSPMSZrrEoeNfiE5s0Z1oCKj1~v3qKG59tf5qsPNrm656pizVvq0HkGXUh-g0f5xbjCfw3P1Mg315rDQ5KdKsoNCyJCT7mqkNaOMDcXH9dfZ2oikwueCTV9puiSMlT4zi6Mctu6pajDlxTo~dinmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon Legislature","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","At an informational meeting of the Oregon House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services on May 8, Head Start leaders told lawmakers a temporary freeze of federal Head Start grant payments earlier this year nearly forced some programs to close.

\"When our grants were frozen, unable to be able to access fundings,\" Oregon Head Start President Charlene Stroud said, describing a moment in Washington, D.C., when directors learned they could not access operating dollars. \"Directors [were] calling up their sites and closing down sites, talking about laying off people.\" (Charlene Stroud, Executive Director, Head Start of Lane County; Oregon Head Start president.)

The threat hit programs unevenly. Catherine Clayton, executive director of Southern Oregon Head Start, said a delay would have shut down roughly half her program, leaving about 450 children without services and 193 employees without jobs. \"At the eleventh hour, literally 6 hours prior to closure, we were fortunate that our federal funding ultimately came through,\" she said. (Catherine Clayton, Executive Director, Southern Oregon Head Start.)

Why it matters: Head Start provides early-childhood classroom time, home visiting and family services for low-income households. Stroud told the committee that if the federal program were eliminated, about 5,700 families in Oregon would lose services, roughly 1,700 people would lose jobs, and the state would lose about $118,000,000 in annual economic activity tied to Head Start operations.

State response and partnerships: Witnesses attributed the immediate mitigation to coordinated action by the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care and outreach to federal lawmakers. Stroud said the department \"responded immediately\" and that advocacy by Oregon legislators and representatives in Washington helped restore funding access for nearly all sites.

Committee chair Kiara Hartman opened the informational meeting and asked witnesses to describe federal and state interactions. Lawmakers present—including representatives who called members of Congress and the state department—were credited by witnesses with helping preserve operations while federal payments were delayed.

Limits and remaining risks: Witnesses stressed that the fixes were temporary and that uncertainty remains. Stroud and Clayton urged lawmakers to preserve stable federal funding and to maintain state emergency capacity in case of future payment disruptions. The Department of Early Learning and Care was repeatedly credited for coordinating short-term assistance to programs that faced imminent closures.

Discussion vs. formal action: This was an informational hearing; no motions or votes were taken. Committee members and Head Start representatives discussed contingency planning, the economic impact of lost funding and next steps for state support.

Looking ahead: Speakers asked the committee to consider strategies that reduce reliance on last-minute interventions, including stronger state emergency response tools and continued advocacy with federal partners. \"We want to keep serving families without fear of sudden closure,\" Clayton said.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Committee On Early Childhood and Human Services 05/08/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","At an informational meeting of the Oregon House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services on May 8, Head Start leaders told lawmakers a temporary freeze of federal Head Start grant payments earlier this year nearly forced some programs to close.","taxTitle","Early Childhood and Human Services, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17511,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6242304,"Parents and directors tell lawmakers Head Start shows measurable kindergarten readiness gains and generational impact",905,3095000,4000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247924-87e2ab1b1318e1c04760a730e8d6b19e&start=3095&end=4000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247924-87e2ab1b1318e1c04760a730e8d6b19e/thumbnail_3095000.jpg","/articles/6242304/Oregon/Parents-and-directors-tell-lawmakers-Head-Start-shows-measurable-kindergarten-readiness-gains-and-generational-impact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242304-eebc4cbf9987bc69940253174118625b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668465&Signature=JP6wZMqnaXtlIb7yLPhP10zZ6WA7Kj29Gz-20eqn1qha7LEzkG86XwZaBvS8zhPrC-pry54P0hBLJ7ZO5IJjmY6k06Vn-tghTQ6KvdgMH-qBsJt~ih7a8EbOC3yKkLTAlfBpWGhU22M9axiQ5q0VjQU4gJ-N0p0ze0GJIZBQ1uGVsDmExRuHrzsjRg7z3dRt2JLeG5UvzkNMOaiYFdh8oIcjkj3LRUK6UYw0kCy5brjH6vvuZp0qFuEfcvnjklJfS-N0Gt~9fjNE3okIAB1oQQuSnhwSbOoDyJDaIpuowPizOE~5dih17-9rZWT0Yvg4V0AXRZ8F0W7Ssz6vUERKJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 8 informational hearing of the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services, Head Start program leaders presented assessment data and parents described how the program changed family trajectories.

\"Our data shows it and Head Start delivers it,\" Robert Kling, director of Eastern Oregon University Head Start, told the committee, summarizing DRDP assessment results for 4‑year‑olds that showed gains in self-regulation, social–emotional skills, language and early math. (Robert Kling, Director, Eastern Oregon University Head Start.)

Kling said the program measures family outcomes in 41 areas; this year, families showed positive growth in 78 percent of outcome areas, including parenting confidence and use of community resources. He also described urgent needs work: his program supported 139 families through 203 urgent needs in a year, resolving 183 of those cases by direct support or referral.

Multiple parent testimonials illustrated the data. Sue Ellen Whitlock described leaving poverty and earning college degrees after participating in Head Start as a parent and later as a staff member. \"This program turned hardship into hope and hope into leadership,\" she said. (Sue Ellen Whitlock, Senior Director, Umatilla Moro Head Start; former Head Start parent.)

Ashley Randall said Head Start supported her recovery, her children's therapies and her education; she credited the program with leadership opportunities that helped her win scholarships and continue toward a master's degree. Randall cited academic research in testimony, saying Nobel laureate economist James Heckman’s work shows a $7–$13 return for every dollar invested in early childhood programs; she also said a separate figure indicated a lifetime net savings of $4–$8 million per child, phrasing those as research-based claims. (Ashley Randall, Oregon Head Start parent representative, Kidco Head Start.)

Parents and directors described practical services such as speech therapy, assistive communication devices on loan, home visiting and family advocates who connect families to housing, food and health services. Several witnesses noted Head Start’s role in rural communities where alternatives to nearby sites are not feasible.

How the committee used the testimony: The hearing was informational; members heard data and personal testimony intended to inform later oversight and budget conversations. Witnesses asked lawmakers to consider continued funding and partnerships that sustain the program’s comprehensive services.

Closing note: Parents and directors asked legislators to \"think of these kids' faces\" when making budget decisions and to preserve the services that, they said, produce measurable education and family outcomes.","Committee members heard program assessment data and multiple parent testimonials May 8 showing improvements in social-emotional skills, language, family stability and long-term outcomes; parents described Head Start as a turning point in education, recovery and employment pathways.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6242308,"Head Start directors warn of facilities shortage and workforce squeeze hindering infant–toddler slots",646,1453000,2099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247924-87e2ab1b1318e1c04760a730e8d6b19e&start=1453&end=2099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247924-87e2ab1b1318e1c04760a730e8d6b19e/thumbnail_1453000.jpg","/articles/6242308/Oregon/Head-Start-directors-warn-of-facilities-shortage-and-workforce-squeeze-hindering-infanttoddler-slots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242308-9a2653ae9f9ec260eabcc3f262202e7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668465&Signature=AjQhTLx8wVRtQhuEt-DHajKPjzMd8S9WvPmRYQfMoAr~c8KvnchcdQGEQ2mVZ4aLGUGsmNFU3hSdtiPtWHvRQ9U8ktS7LMuFwoKRFkOQgbF89e3JNUAkvwF28SvU2yK~FbpuornhH6xGvSPJPJSRRdxNZIdJu8YWflezvV6oYsgswsb-nNsglzi83em5SqVhW3n-IaDeBsdOEeEmuMaKNnh4114tl56VUyFZliaePsCl0PNuDqrkib2dANAPfe6bFd0aTDNXOnNjK3HBowE7sxVP8U11YYQ7tcaczLBhU-nf9DhnWCMHgbXamgyaFN9eXt2ZpmBXuImfCwj5EY~ILg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Directors of Oregon Head Start programs told the House Committee on Early Childhood and Human Services on May 8 that two of the sector’s most urgent constraints are facility shortages and a squeeze on qualified workers.

\"Two of the most urgent challenges we face in early childhood education are the critical need for investment in facilities and the escalating crisis in our workforce,\" Darcy Kilsdonk of the Clackamas County Children’s Commission told the committee. (Darcy Kilsdonk, Clackamas County Children’s Commission.)

Witnesses described specific licensing and program constraints that make serving infants and toddlers more expensive and space-intensive than preschool. \"In Head Start, it's a 1 to 4 ratio,\" Kilsdonk said, and federal performance standards limit classroom size for toddlers to small groups; programs also must provide about 75 square feet of outdoor play area per child for licensing.

Staffing and pay pressures were central to testimony. Suey Lindsmeyer of Head Start of Yamhill County said that in 2023–24 her program was underenrolled for 12 months because it lacked qualified staff; the program returned about $1,000,000 in funding and reduced its enrollment from 433 children to 314 as a result. \"Without the staff, we could not serve the children that we were funded for,\" she said. (Suey Lindsmeyer, Head Start of Yamhill County.)

Education and credential rules add cost and limit the candidate pool: teachers must hold at least an associate degree in early childhood, leadership staff generally must hold bachelor’s degrees, and bus drivers must meet state school bus certification and have a CDL despite low pay compared with other driving jobs, witnesses said.

Promising local solutions were described. Committee members and witnesses praised an apprenticeship pilot in Yamhill County funded by a coordinated care organization and a Spanish-language early-childhood certificate at Clackamas Community College that helps experienced Spanish-speaking staff gain credentials. Borrowed or one-time construction funds often stall because rising costs outpace slow project timelines, witnesses added, leaving many potential sites unusable.

Discussion vs. decisions: Testimony was informational. Committee members asked about trade-offs between pay parity, eligibility cliffs for families, and maintaining services; witnesses said those trade-offs require coordinated policy and transitional planning.

What lawmakers heard: Providers asked the committee to prioritize facility investments, sustained workforce funding and support for training pipelines so programs can serve more infants and toddlers and avoid returning federal funds because of staffing shortfalls.","At a May 8 informational hearing, Head Start providers told legislators that suitable facilities and a shortage of qualified staff limit the ability to expand infant–toddler care, drive program closures and force returns of federal funding; witnesses described apprenticeship pilots and Spanish-language certificate programs as promising practices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Federal grant freeze briefly threatened Oregon Head Start programs; state and lawmakers stepped in

Parents and directors tell lawmakers Head Start shows measurable kindergarten readiness gains and generational impact

Head Start directors warn of facilities shortage and workforce squeeze hindering infant–toddler slots