For thousands of Iowa kids, Head Start is more than a classroom — it’s a launchpad. It gives children from low-income families a strong start in life through early learning, nutritious meals, health screenings, and the stability every child needs to thrive.
The problem: The ongoing government shutdown is threatening Head Start services for more than 65,000 children across the country — including programs right here in Iowa.Â
Why it matters: When Head Start programs shut down, kids don’t just lose classroom time, they lose critical opportunities to grow, learn, and build confidence.Â
A shutdown means missed meals and fewer chances to get ahead before kindergarten, and for many working parents, it also means losing access to safe, reliable care during the day.
This week, I visited the Drake University Head Start program in Des Moines to see firsthand the difference these services make for Iowa families.
I sat down with teachers and administrators who shared how the program is helping kids build confidence, develop critical early learning skills, and receive care many wouldn’t get elsewhere. But they also made it clear: if Congress doesn’t act soon, centers across Iowa could be forced to close or cut services.
The solution: Congress needs to set aside the partisan games, pass a clean funding bill, and reopen the government so Head Start programs can continue doing what they do best: giving every child a fair shot at success.
Bottom Line: No child should lose their chance to learn and grow because of a political standoff. Iowa families deserve better — and I’ll keep fighting to end the dysfunction in Washington and protect the programs our kids depend on.