Founded in 1995, 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 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. We serve as a vital resource and advocate for nearly 140 Head Start programs in the state, ensuring they have the support, training, and advocacy needed to deliver high-quality services to children and their families.
Head Start California (HSC) champions the needs of children and families in California through advocacy, professional development, and support for Head Start programs. Our current initiatives include training and workshops for Head Start professionals, focusing on areas such as early childhood education, health, and family engagement.
We host key events such as the Annual Conference, Managers and Directors Institute, and the Health Institute, providing platforms for knowledge sharing and professional growth.
HSC also engages in policy advocacy to secure funding and support for Head Start programs, ensuring that children from low-income families receive comprehensive early childhood education and services. Through partnerships and community engagement, we strive to improve outcomes for children and families across the state.
Program Impact
Head Start California is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families through a range of initiatives:
• Advocacy: We champion policies and secure funding at the federal, state, and local levels, ensuring that Head Start programs can continue to serve low-income families effectively.
• Professional Development: Our extensive training and resources equip Head Start educators and staff with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver top-tier early childhood education.
• Community Building: We facilitate collaboration and information sharing among Head Start programs, promoting best practices and fostering innovation.
• Resource Development: We provide tools, research, and technical assistance to help Head Start programs meet and exceed performance standards, ensuring that every child receives the support they need.
Funding Needs
To sustain and expand our vital services, we seek funding for the following priorities:
1. Advocacy Efforts: Enhancing our advocacy initiatives to secure increased funding and supportive policies for Head Start programs.
2. Training and Professional Development: Expanding our professional development offerings to ensure that Head Start staff are well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of children and families.
3. Resource Development: Developing and disseminating high-quality resources to support program excellence across the state.
4. Research and Evaluation: Conducting research to assess the impact of Head Start programs and identify areas for improvement.
5. Community Engagement: Strengthening our efforts to involve families and communities in the Head Start mission, ensuring that we address their needs effectively.
Why Support Head Start California?
Supporting Head Start California means investing in the future of California's children and families. Your contribution will:
• Promote Quality Education: Help Head Start programs provide the best early childhood education possible.
• Advocate for Children and Families: Strengthen our voice in advocating for the resources and policies that benefit low-income families.
• Build Stronger Communities: Empower families and communities through comprehensive support services and educational opportunities.
• Foster Innovation: Support the development and sharing of best practices in early childhood education, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Conclusion
Head Start California is committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed. With your support, we can continue to advocate for, empower, and uplift California's most vulnerable children and families, creating a brighter future for all.
We empower Head Start programs to reach their full potential through advocacy, professional development, networking, and collaboration.
Statement of Need for Head Start California
Head Start California (HSC) plays a vital role in supporting and advocating for the educational, social, and developmental needs of California’s most vulnerable children and their families. The early years of a child’s life are critical in setting a strong foundation for lifelong learning, yet too many families in California lack access to high-quality early childhood education, essential health services, and family supports. Head Start programs bridge this gap, ensuring that over 85,000 young children across the state receive comprehensive early education, health, and family services each year. However, these programs and families face significant and growing challenges.
Despite the proven success of Head Start programs in fostering school readiness and positive family outcomes, California’s early learning systems continue to face complex issues. Rising costs of living, educator shortages, funding limitations, and disparities in access to services all threaten to undermine the stability and sustainability of these programs. Additionally, many families face unique barriers, such as limited access to affordable health care, food insecurity, housing instability, and language barriers, which compound the challenges in supporting young children’s developmental and educational needs.
HSC works tirelessly to address these issues by advocating for increased public investment, providing professional development and resources for Head Start staff, and amplifying parent and community voices in early childhood policy. As the needs of families and the demands on Head Start providers grow, so too does the need for stronger support, innovative solutions, and sustainable funding for early childhood education in California.
To sustain its essential work, HSC requires additional resources to expand its advocacy efforts, deliver training and professional development, foster parent engagement through programs like the Parent Ambassador Academy, and promote equitable access to early childhood services. This funding is crucial to ensuring that every eligible child in California has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environment.
Without adequate support, California risks falling short of its potential to provide equitable early childhood education for all. With increased investment, HSC can continue to uplift families, strengthen communities, and pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for California’s children.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Head Start California is committed to creating an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all members, staff, volunteers, families, and stakeholders. We are committed to ensuring that everyone is respected and valued regardless of their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religious beliefs, abilities, disabilities, or any other factor. We actively promote a culture of equity and justice in our work, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can belong and thrive. At Head Start California, we believe that our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is integral to achieving our vision of building a future where Head Start is recognized as the gold standard in early childhood education.
Organization name
Head Start California
1995
Tax id (EIN)
77-0412315
Mission Category
Education
Operating Budget
$1,000,001-$5 million
Organization Need
Funding: Unrestricted
Demographics Served
Youth & Children, Low-income individuals/families
Local Counties Served
Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado
Address
PO BOX 268CA, US