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Committee lays over bill seeking $15 million per year increase for Head Start in Minnesota
Summary
Representative Hicks presented House File 1002 to increase state funding for Head Start by $15 million annually; testimony from local Head Start directors, parents and the Minnesota Head Start Association highlighted services and concerns about potential federal funding fluctuations.
House File 1002, introduced by Representative Hicks, requests an additional $15 million per year for Head Start programs in Minnesota; the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion after hearing multiple testifiers.
Representative Hicks described Head Start as a family-centered prevention program offering preschool, home visiting, meals and connections to health and social services; she said increased state funding would serve children on wait lists and extend support that can prevent later child welfare and education costs.
Sandy Symar, Head Start director for Freeborn and Olmsted Counties, described program uses of child assessment data to target services, provide transportation and offer infant, toddler and preschool services. Symar said her program serves 503 children across infants, toddlers, preschoolers and pregnant mothers and that funding would allow staff to enroll children currently on wait lists.
Amanda Mata, a parent who participated in Early Head Start and Head Start, described developmental and family supports and urged lawmakers to expand access.
Craig Grodke, executive director of the Minnesota Head Start Association, told the committee that federal funding uncertainty could result in reduced federal Head Start staff and that cuts in Medicaid and other wraparound supports would increase program costs for grantees. Nonpartisan staff provided that base state funding for Head Start in Minnesota is approximately $34.398 million annually.
Representative Hicks moved to lay over House File 1002 for possible inclusion; the committee approved the motion and the bill was laid over.
