Dear Senator_________ (or Congressman__________)

As a constituent of _______(name of state) I am writing to urge you to oppose House Resolution 2210, which would modify the funding and administration of the national Head Start program.

Head Start is a proven success, providing an invaluable service to more than 20 million children and families at poverty level in our nation for almost 40 years. However, the proposed legislation (HR 2210) calls for changes in program funding and administration…changes which are unnecessary and costly to taxpayers and which would unravel the very threads of a program which has proven its success and value.

Head Start’s comprehensive approach, which incorporates not only critical literacy skills, but also health and nutrition, social skills and parental empowerment, helps children and families succeed and improves life in our communities---and our nation. Studies show that every dollar spent on early childhood education, health and social programs saves society $7 later on such programs as unemployment, criminal justice and child welfare.

Please support our state’s children and families by voting to keep Head Start a federal-to local Program. Moving Head Start to the state level through block grants, as HR 2210 proposes, would dismantle a well developed and researched system of services and quality controls that have made Head Start successful for more than 38 years.

With almost every state facing severe budget deficits, turning Head Start over to the states at this time is a recipe for failure…not to mention the unnecessary costs--which taxpayers will absorb--for setting up new administrative and oversight procedures for each and every state. It simply does not make sense, economically, or in human terms.

I urge you to oppose HR 2210 and, instead, support legislation to preserve Head Start so that it can continue to help disadvantaged families for another 40 years. Please know that your vote affects the lives of millions of families and children.

I look forward to hearing how you will vote on this important issue.