Head Start California’s Statement on the Education Omnibus Trailer Bill

On July 5, the Legislature released AB/SB 130, the 2021-22 Education Omnibus Trailer Bill Language (TBL). Christopher Maricle, Executive Director of Head Start California (HSC), issued this statement in response to the Education TBL:

Head Start California is pleased that the Education Omnibus Trailer Bill California Prekindergarten Planning and Implementation Grant Program recognizes Head Start partnerships with local educational agencies in the allocation of the $200 million in pre-kindergarten planning grants. This explicit acknowledgement of Head Start in TBL is a recognition that Head Start is a vital part of California’s mixed-delivery system. The language in AB/SB 130 appropriates $200 million to local education agencies (LEAs), and funds may be used to establish or strengthen partnerships with other providers, including Head Start programs.

Pursuant to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act [Sec. 1119 (b)(5)] local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to coordinate with local Head Start programs to develop agreements to carry out coordination activities, including “linking the educational services provided by such local educational agency with the services provided by local Head Start agencies.” These agreements lay the groundwork for strong partnerships to ensure high quality options for prekindergarten education continue to be available for four-year old children. [see page 47, lines 5 – 14].

We want to make sure that the funding is equitable, and can be used by Head Start programs operated by Local Education Agencies (LEAs) as well those operated by non-profit organizations, community action agencies, Tribal nations, and local governments, including two cities, a Joint Powers Agency and a county. We look forward to working with the Governor, Legislature, Department of Education and Department of Social Services to ensure that all Head Start programs can access the support they need as TK implementation moves forward.

We applaud the Governor and Legislature’s commitment to increasing access to early childhood learning and care for California’s families, and for including Head Start in the TBL.

Background: Head Start California launched the Roar Back with Head Start campaign to urge state lawmakers to support their funding request. The requested $50 million appropriation will be provided to Head Start agencies in the form of agency grants that may be used to: 1) Support the 20% funding match required by the federal grant to build agency capacity, recruit and retain a growing workforce, and identify more Head Start eligible families; and/or 2) Expand services to serve more children in families and provide expanded, non-traditional hours of care.

More than 50 organizations signed a joint letter of support; and in another letter, 16 legislators led by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes urged the funding of $50 million to support local Head Start programs. Most recently, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond shared hissupport in a letter for Head Start California’s budget request for $50 million to support Head Start programs during the TK transition.

Head Start California is the premier advocacy organization for Head Start agencies throughout California. Head Start California advocates for its members at the federal, state and local county level ensuring that members speak with a unified voice about the challenges facing California’s most vulnerable families, and the Head Start community that serves them. By communicating with members, and creating opportunities for learning and connecting, members are increasingly engaged, unified and supported as they work to better serve their clients and communities.