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. Today, we operate 19 campuses serving nearly 600 children and their families each year. But with the ongoing federal government shutdown, funding for Head Start and Early Head Start has been compromised - putting these critical programs, our staff, and the families we serve at immediate risk.

The premise of Head Start is simple: every child, regardless of circumstance at birth, has the ability to reach their full potential. If the shutdown continues and funding ceases to flow, families will lose access to safe and affordable early learning opportunities. Many parents will be unable to work, impacting our local workforce and economy. The loss of these programs would be devastating to our community’s most vulnerable children.

Beyond Head Start, other vital programs—such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Weatherization Assistance Program, and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)—are also in jeopardy. These programs help families pay their utility bills when the get behind and keep their homes warm, safe, and stable. Without them, thousands of households across Santa Barbara County could face additional hardship this winter.

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

Here’s What You Can Do Right Now:

1. Donate. Every contribution helps keep our Head Start and Early Head Start campuses open and ready to serve families once funding resumes.
2. Write Your Congressional Representatives. We’ve made it easy; just click here and fill out the form.
3. Call Your Congressional Representatives and demand that they take immediate action to end the shutdown and restore stability for Head Start and other essential community programs. 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’m calling because the federal government shutdown has jeopardized funding for 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. Every family deserves access to early education and childcare, and every child deserves the chance for a better future.”
   • Demand action: “I urge Congress to immediately end the shutdown and ensure full funding for Head Start, Early Head Start, and other community programs that support working families.”
     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
   • 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)

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1. Contact CommUnify if you’d like to get more involved in this campaign to save Head Start:
   ‍📧 development@communifysb.org | ☎️ (805) 964-8857 ext. 3
   Ask for Jared or Julie.

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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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