A FRANCISCAN MINISTRY WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES

SOLID

GROUND

African American Family Alert- Head Start

From:
Father Jim Goode, OFM

July 19, 2003

African American Families urgent action is needed. The Head Start reauthorization bill – HR 2210- is expected to come to the U.S. House of Representatives in the upcoming weeks. This bill threatens the future of Head Start. It would allow eight states to take control of Head Start programs. Turning Head Start over to the states will diminish the quality of this historically successful program for our children. Head Start will be vulnerable to significant funding cuts as states struggle with fiscal crisis and will no longer be subject to federal performance standards.

African American Families and Friends, please take the time to contact your Member of Congress and urge them to oppose HR 2210 that would dismantle Head Start, a critical children’s program in our nation.

The Children’s Defense Fund, the National Head Start Association, and many other advocacy allies have provided the national, toll-free number: 1-888.583-2809.

Do not delay, please call your Congress Member today. The best time to call is between 9a.m. and 5p.m. When you call the number the system will ask for your home phone areas and zip codes to connect you to your
Member of Congress’s D.C. Office.