Dick Durbin: Durbin Calls on Bush to Support Head Start Expansion

November 19, 2007 -- CHICAGO, IL -- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited a local Head Start program to discuss Congressional efforts to increase the program's funding and next steps in the wake of a veto from President Bush, who has consistently cut Head Start funding in his budgets.

"Without the services provided by Head Start, many of these children would arrive in kindergarten at a disadvantage," Durbin said. "Shouldn't we help every child in this nation put his or her best foot forward?"

Substantial funding increases were included in two bills approved by Congress and sent to the President for his signature in recent days. The 2008 Labor, Health and Education appropriations bill, which the President vetoed early last week, would increase funding for Head Start to $7 billion next year -- enough to provide services to 30,000 additional children. The President prefers a bill that would cut that funding by $254 million. At that level, in Illinois, funding for Head Start programs would be cut by $10 million and 1,388 Illinois children would not be able to participate in Head Start.

The Head Start reauthorization bill, which Congress sent to the President early last week, increases authorized funding for Head Start to $7.9 billion by 2010, allowing tens of thousands more children to participate in the program, and expands eligibility, allowing Head Start to serve low-income children and families up to 130% of federal poverty. The reauthorization bill will also expand the Early Head Start program, so it can reach an additional 8,000 low-income infants and toddlers. The bill marks the first time in nearly 10 years that Head Start has been reauthorized.

"The earlier children enroll in Head Start programs, the more likely they are to succeed once they enter kindergarten," Durbin said.

The legislation also sets new minimum qualification standards for Head Start teachers. Within six years, all Head Start teachers must have an Associate's degree, and half of all teachers must have a Bachelor's degree.

"Head Start is about more than education," Durbin said. "It's about nutrition and health care and social development. My goal is for every eligible child to be able to participate in Head Start."

The Head Start program, which was created more than 40 years ago, provides preschool-aged, low-income children and their families with school activities, health screening, healthy snacks, and structure to encourage parental involvement.

Source: All American Patriots