Trump vs. Head Start

 Capital & Main - Research begun decades ago and more recently reevaluated indicates that making early investments in childhood education, as Head Start does, yields major economic returns — in the range of $7 to $12 back to society for every dollar invested. In California, Head Start serves more than 73,000 kids, nearly 9,000 in Los Angeles County alone. The program touches the lives of an estimated 833,000 children across the country annually...

The Trump administration’s latest salvo landed last week, with []Robert] Kennedy attempting to prevent Head Start from continuing to provide resources for all low-income children in America. Its effects would be real — and potentially toxic.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ notice would change the longstanding interpretation of a nearly 30-year-old law and declare Head Start’s services off-limits to immigrant families — “illegal aliens,” in the words of the HHS statement.

That would mean a denial of service to certain children in the U.S. from birth to age 5 in such areas as early learning and development, nutrition and health, and family well-being. Head Start, which includes preschool services, is free to low-income families.

“This is a misguided and hateful action targeting immigrant children,” said Clarissa Doutherd, executive director of the advocacy group Parent Voices Oakland, which says more than 400 children are enrolled in the city of Oakland’s Head Start program. “It is a gross abuse of power that will negatively impact generations of families. This goes against why the Head Start program was founded — to create a safe and nurturing environment for children.”...