Assembly committee adopts resolution recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month

The Assembly Committee on Human Services on May 20 adopted AJR 12, a nonbinding resolution recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month and calling on the U.S. Congress and the president to protect and increase funding for the Head Start program.

The resolution passed unanimously, 7-0. Committee roll call recorded aye votes from Lee, Castillo, Calderon, El Jorey, Jackson, Rodriguez and Tongapak.

AJR 12 was presented to the committee by Assemblymember Hadwick on behalf of absent author Assemblymember Arons. Hadwick said Head Start “provides the poorest, least advantaged kids with early childhood education, as well as health, nutrition, social, emotional, behavioral, and dental services,” and described the program as a personal lifeline from her own childhood.

Melanie Cottrell, executive director of Head Start California, testified in support and provided program figures: “This year alone, our members will serve over 80,000 children, employ more than 25,000 Californians, and bring nearly $1.7 billion federal taxpayer dollars directly back to our communities,” she said. Michael Jenkins, a Head Start parent, described Head Start as “the critical backbone” that helped children in his foster and adoptive care thrive.

Several organizations registered support during the public comment period, including the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, Children Now, End Child Poverty California and First 5 California.

The resolution is symbolic and does not appropriate funds. Supporters framed it as a statement of values and a federal funding advocacy step; no fiscal action was taken in committee. The committee secretary recorded the motion to adopt AJR 12 and completed a roll call resulting in the unanimous vote.

AJR 12 moves forward as an adopted committee resolution and will be reflected in committee records.