Trump Actions Would Deprive 50,000 Low-Income Children In New York State Of Critical Early Childhood Education
Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited an Action for a Better Community (ABC) Head Start Center in Rochester to condemn President Trump’s actions to dismantle Head Start. Federal funding allows nine Head Start centers to operate in Monroe County, serving over 1000 children. Without this funding, Head Start centers across New York and around the country will be forced to close their doors, which will deprive low-income children of critical early childhood education that gives them the tools to succeed both in and out of the classroom. President Trump has attempted to diminish Head Start through a number of executive actions that are making it harder for Head Start centers to stay up and running, including closing regional offices that help administer the program, laying off staff, and withholding already authorized funding.
Head Start programs provide low-income children from birth to age five with comprehensive child development programs, as well as support and services for families. The services Head Start and Early Head Start offer include early education, health screenings, promoting social and emotional health, nutrition, connection to other social services, and services for children with disabilities. Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve over 50,000 children in New York State.
“Head Start helps make sure that every child has a chance to thrive,“ said Senator Gillibrand. “It is an investment in our kids and our future that has been proven time and time again to be highly effective at preparing children for school and improving both their social and physical health outcomes. President Trump’s actions to dismantle Head Start would hurt the kids and families most in need – including the 50,000 Head Start attendees in New York alone. I will do everything in my power to fight this effort and preserve funding for this vital program through the next fiscal year and beyond.”
“The Trump administration’s proposed decision to eliminate the Head Start program is a cruel and shortsighted attack on working families and their children,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “For the last 60 years, Head Start has empowered generations of young people with the tools to succeed and achieve their dreams—not just in school, but in life. I’m proud to join Senator Gillibrand in continuing the fight to protect Head Start because investing in our children is morally right, economically smart, and essential to the strength of our communities.”
“Hundreds of families throughout Monroe County depend on ABC and Head Start to provide reliable child care and critical early education, nutrition, and support services every day. It’s no secret that the city of Rochester has among the highest childhood poverty rates in the nation; slashing these programs will further jeopardize the future of hundreds of kids and working families throughout our community, while placing an additional burden on our local governments to fill the gap in service these cuts will create,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “I’m grateful to Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, and Congressman Morelle for fighting back against these potential cuts by the Trump administration and hope that others will join us in standing up for the future of America’s children and families.”
“Head Start programs are a proven method to provide much-needed services to our children and set them up for future success,” said State Senator Jeremy Cooney. “Amid threats to this vital program by the Trump Administration, it’s important now more than ever to push back and keep these services funded. I want to thank Senator Gillibrand for her leadership on this issue and for her continued commitment to our state’s children and families most in need.”
“The attacks we’re seeing on Head Start and ABC programs aren’t just bureaucratic decisions—they are deeply harmful actions that threaten the well-being and future of countless children and families in our communities,” said New York State Assemblyman Demond Meeks. “These programs are more than just early education initiatives; they are foundational supports that help close the opportunity gap, ensure school readiness, and allow working parents to build better lives for their families. The recent federal actions, including payment delays, staff terminations, and the closure of the Region II Head Start office, are unacceptable. We must prioritize the educational needs of our children. I fully support Senator Gillibrand’s efforts to push back against these dangerous moves and to demand accountability from the Trump administration and our Republican members of Congress. This isn’t about red or blue, Republican or Democrat; this is about right and wrong. As a representative of the 137th Assembly District and a resident of Rochester, a city where so many families rely on Head Start and ABC, I am committed to doing everything in my power to protect these important, essential services. We cannot allow political decisions in Washington to jeopardize the future of our children here at home. In the words of Frederick Douglass, it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. In the days ahead, we must not consider it unpatriotic to raise certain basic questions about our national character. – Dr Martin Luther King Jr.”
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