Education division considers funding changes to Head Start programs

The 33 Head Start and Early Head Start programs across the state could see a funding boost that supporters say would help reduce the programs’ long waiting lists.

Sponsored by Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL-Spring Lake Park), HF3954 would modify how the minimum amount of funding is determined for Head Start programs, and would add $4.5 million to their existing fiscal year 2021 appropriation.

The bill was held over by the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division Thursday for further consideration. The companion, SF4251, awaits action by the Senate E-12 Finance and Policy Committee. Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) is the sponsor.

Rep. Erin Koegel

Head Start is a federally and state funded program that provides services and resources to low-income families who have children ages prenatal to 5, to support their growth and development. Services include early learning, health development and family wellbeing. But, due to underfunding, many families that are eligible for services are not able to participate, according to Koegel.

“They currently serve less than half of preschool-aged kids and under 10% of infants and toddlers who are eligible,” she said. “These are the most at-risk kids who need the comprehensive services Head Start provides.”

The proposal aims to reduce the waitlist by updating the state’s “hold harmless” funding mechanism. Under current law, Head Start programs can receive no less funding in any fiscal year than they received in 1993. The proposal would update this to ensure that any Head Start program in existence this year would always receive at least its fiscal year 2020 allocation. The $4.5 million would help cover this adjustment and increase the total appropriation to $29.6 million in fiscal year 2021.

Emily Overland, a mother of four and program participant, strongly supports the proposal. The program has provided her family with stability, given her the opportunity to work and pursue post-secondary education, and has helped her daughters academically and developmentally, she said.

“My two oldest have just had their conferences and their teachers couldn’t say enough good things about how well behaved they are, their social skills are well developed and I credit Head Start for that,” she said.

While not wholly opposed to the proposal, Rep. Mary Franson (R-Alexandria), asked if there would be funding available given it’s a non-budget year, and recommended tempering expectations.  

“As we see nationally how things are playing out, I’m very cautious about setting expectations,” she said.