Save Head Start!

‍CommUnify’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs have served 55,000+ children and families since our first campus opened in 1967, and currently we operate 20 campuses, serving close to 600 children and their families annually. But the new administration’s proposed federal budget would completely eliminate Head Start and Early Head Start. ‍

The premise of Head Start is simple: every child, regardless of circumstance at birth, has the ability to reach their full potential. Eradicating Head Start and Early Head Start will have an impact on our local workforce: without these programs many of the parents of these children will not be able to go to work because they will not have safe and affordable childcare. 

Now is the time to stand up and make our voices heard. 

Here’s What You Can Do Right Now:

1. Donate. Every little bit counts in the effort to keep our Head Start and Early Head Start campuses open to serve these children and families.
2. Write Your Congressional Representatives. We’ve made it easy; just click here and fill out the form.
3. Call Your Congressional Representatives TODAY and demand that they take immediate action and restore funding for Head Start and Early Head Start. You can use this script when you call:
   
   • Introduce yourself: "Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I live in Santa Barbara County."
   • Express your concern: "I just learned that the new proposed federal budget calls for the total elimination of Head Start. This is a huge setback for the at-risk children in our county, and their parents who are a vital part of our local workforce and economy. Everyone deserves to have access to quality child care and early education, and all children deserve to have the opportunity for a better future.”
   • Demand action: "I urge Congress to protect early childhood education in our community and to vote against the proposed budget UNLESS full funding for Head Start and Early Head Start is restored.
     Contact Information:
     • Senator Alex Padilla: (202) 224-3553 / (310) 231-4494
     • Senator Adam Schiff: (202) 224-3841 / (310) 914-7300
     • Congressman Salud Carbajal: (202) 225-3601 / (805) 730-1710
4. Contact the members of congress who are expected to vote for the proposed budget and demand that they do not vote to eliminate Head Start.
   
   Contact information:
   House Appropriations Committee
   Juan Ciscomani – AZ 6 – (202) 225-2542
   Ken Calvert – CA 41 – (202) 225-4695
   David Valadao – CA 22 – (202) 225-4695
   Pete Aguilar – CA 33 – (202) 225-3201
   Josh Harder** – CA 09 – (202) 225-4540
   Norma Torres – CA 35 – (202) 225-6161
   Ed Case – HI 01 – (202) 225-2726
   Mike Levin – CA 49 – (202) 225-3906
   Susie Lee – NV 03 – (202) 225-3252
   Senate Appropriations Committee
   Brian Schatz** – HI – (202) 224-3934
   (** indicates this member sits on the Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over Head Start funding)
   
   
5. Contact CommUnify if you’d like to get more involved in this campaign to save Head Start: Email development@communifysb.org or call (805) 964-8857 xt 3. Ask for Julie or Jared.  

Thank you for your swift action and your support. Santa Barbara County needs Head Start.

Patricia Keelean
Chief Executive Officer
CommUnify 

Jennifer MacDonald
Director of Children’s Services
CommUnify

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