West Virginia Head Start, which offers education and wraparound services to thousands of low-income children, serves 7,784 eligible children in 385 centers across the state. (Johner Images | Getty Images)
The director of West Virginia Head Start, which offers education and wraparound services to thousands of low-income children, is optimistic that the program will continue despite concerns it could be eliminated under President-elect Donald Trump.
Head Start serves 7,784 eligible children in 385 centers across the state. The program focuses on school readiness through high-quality early learning and offers wraparound services, like dental care and mental health support.
Erin Tucker’s son, Oliver, attended a Head Start program in Parkersburg a few years ago. Oliver, now seven years old, is diagnosed with autism.
“With their assistance we were able to get him used to going to school and used to being around other kids,” Tucker said, adding that Oliver was nonverbal during his time in the program. “There are kids like my kiddo who need the extra attention that if these programs go away, my child would be left behind.”
Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025 — a blueprint written by his former administration officials — that calls for an elimination of Head Start. (The Washington Post reported that some of Trump’s picks for his administration are credited by name in Project 2025.)
Lori Milam, executive director of the West Virginia Head Start Association, said that the program made significant gains during the last Trump administration.
“It’s not something that is coming from the president-elect or his transition team,” Milam said. “I don’t think anyone wants to see funding cut to children and families who are struggling already. I don’t think that’s on anybody’s agenda, and I pray it’s not.”
Milam noted that the program brings in $84 million in federal funding to the state. It plays a vital role in providing child care as the state is woefully short on day care spots.
“It would require Congressional action. Since we have that long, deep-rooted support for Head Start, we are optimistic and we are going to work with Congress and the incoming administration to strengthen Head Start to ensure a bright future,” she said.
In 2019, then-president Trump proposed a 25% cut to Head Start programs over 10 years. Congress rejected the measure and increased funding to the program, saying “Head Start remains one of the most effective early intervention programs for children from at-risk backgrounds.”
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., now in the No. 4 Senate spot, has championed the program, appropriating millions of dollars for Head Start programs across the state. She declined to provide a comment for this story.
Families who make at or below the federal poverty line are eligible for Head Start’s early education services. Milam noted the program’s work is essential as West Virginia grapples with a drug crisis, which is linked to children needing special education and other services available in the preschool program.
The program serves foster children along with grandparents raising their grandchildren.
“It’s extremely important because we provide those unique community needs. We address food insecurities, housing, health care. We help parents secure jobs,” Milam said, adding that the program has served an increased number of families experiencing homelessness or doubling up with family members or friends.
Milam noted that Head Start provided 43,000 home visits in 2023.
Tucker, whose son is now in elementary school, said that her local Head Start employees helped her advocate for her son’s special education services in his elementary school.
“They were really there with me to push through so he was getting what he needed, and they were really there to support me,” she said.
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