Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Childhood Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Assembly committee adopts resolution recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month
Summary
The California State Assembly Committee on Human Services unanimously adopted AJR 12, a resolution urging federal leaders to protect and increase funding for Head Start; parents, providers and a Head Start graduate testified in support.
The California State Assembly Committee on Human Services on May 1 adopted AJR 12, a resolution recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month and urging the U.S. Congress and president to protect and increase funding for the Head Start program.
The measure, presented by Assemblymember Hadwick for Assemblymember Arons, drew testimony from Head Start providers, parents and former Head Start participants about the program’s role in early childhood education, health screenings and family stability. “Head Start gave us a safe place to learn, grow, and be seen,” Hadwick said, describing Head Start as a “lifeline” from personal experience as a program graduate.
Melanie Cottrell, executive director of Head Start California, told the committee that the state’s 138 Head Start providers will serve more than 80,000 children this year, employ more than 25,000 Californians and return nearly $1.7 billion in federal funds to local communities. “Head Start empowers children by building essential foundations for early childhood learning,” Cottrell said, and she asked members for an “I” vote on the resolution.
Mike Jenkins, a Head Start parent and foster parent, described the program’s effects on children in his care, saying Head Start “has been the critical backbone that have helped my children succeed” and credited the program with supporting children who entered nonverbal and later became ready for kindergarten.
The committee recorded no opposition witnesses during the public comment period. The resolution was moved by Assemblyman Tonkipa and seconded by Assemblymember Calderon; the roll call vote was 7 ayes, 0 noes. AJR 12 will be transmitted as adopted by the committee.
