Memorandum
Date: May 6, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Jessica Pyska, District 5 Supervisor
Subject: Consideration of a Letter of Opposition to Proposed Defunding of Head Start Programs
Executive Summary:
As you will be aware, the proposed Presidential budget would eliminate Head Start funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Concern has been raised this proposal is intended to measure community response to the concept of eliminating Head Start, and North Coast Opportunities, Inc. (NCO) and other Lake County Head Start providers are encouraging community members and partners to register their strong opposition to these critical programs being defunded. Across three programs (NCO, Lake Family Resource Center's Early Head Start, and the Kelseyville E Center), more than 200 Lake County children and their families receive essential early childhood education and resources through Head Start programs.
Residents are also encouraged to reach out to our State (Senate President pro Tempore McGuire and Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry) and Federal (Congressman Mike Thompson, Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff) Legislative Delegations to share your support:
https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/?lv=true
https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Head Start associations are additionally asking that people "Share Your Stories" on Social Media, using the hashtags #HeadStartWorks, #SaveHeadStart, and #TakeAction.
I recommend that our Board approve the attached Letter, and distribute it to Congressman Thompson, copying our full State and Federal Legislative Delegations.
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