Nonprofit organizations in Oregon and Washington are warning that more than 25,000 children in the two states could lose access to essential child care and early education if the Trump administration continues its efforts to cut the Head Start program. These groups have joined a lawsuit against the federal government in a bid to protect the program, which has been providing support to low-income families for 60 years.
Head Start has been a critical resource for children, especially those from non-white families or who speak languages other than English. It offers child care and early education opportunities, which many families rely on to help them succeed in school and life.
However, under President Donald Trump’s administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has placed restrictions on the program. They have informed Head Start agencies that they can no longer use federal funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In addition, the administration closed half of the regional offices, including the Seattle office that supported programs in Washington and Oregon.
Recently, the Associated Press obtained a memo from the federal Office of Management and Budget, which suggested eliminating not only Head Start but also other programs related to teen pregnancy and Lyme disease. This move prompted nonprofit organizations such as Family Forward Oregon and the Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Assistance and Education Program to join Head Start groups from Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and an Oakland, California-based parents group in suing the Department of Health and Human Services. Their goal is to stop the planned cuts.
Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington-based program, criticized the actions of the administration, calling them an attack on children. “Over the last three months, Donald Trump has put a bullseye on the backs of 3- and 4-year-olds,” Ryan said during a press call. “He’s done everything to disrupt, dismantle, and eventually paralyze the Head Start program.”
In Washington, the impact of these cuts was felt earlier this month when a Head Start agency had to temporarily shut down after not receiving federal funding. More than 400 families lost their child care services, and 70 employees lost their jobs. The facility in Sunnyside later reopened, but the disruption highlighted the significant consequences of funding cuts.
Across Washington, more than 14,300 children rely on Head Start, while Oregon serves more than 12,000 children through the program.
Candice Vickers, executive director of Family Forward Oregon, has personal experience with Head Start as an alumna. Her organization represents mothers, caregivers, and child care providers, and advocates for child care policies at both the state and federal levels. Vickers shared stories from families who depend on the program, including a single mother in Portland who risks losing her job if she loses access to Head Start due to the high cost of child care. Other families, such as those in Corvallis, learned their Early Head Start program for infants had been shut down with no clear reopening date. A mother in rural Oregon also credited Head Start with helping her overcome addiction and instilling a love of reading in her daughter.
“Head Start is more than just a preschool program,” Vickers said. “It’s a lifeline for working parents. It provides kids with the tools they need to succeed in school. It offers meals, dental care, mental health support, and resources for parents.”
Oregon already faces a severe child care shortage, with a 2023 report showing that nearly all counties in the state are considered “child care deserts.” For every three children needing care, there is only one available slot. Without regulated child care, parents may be forced to quit their jobs or rely on unreliable caregivers, making it harder for businesses to find employees.
Vickers warned that eliminating Head Start would cause a ripple effect across the entire economy. “Once you’re fired from your job for not having access to child care, you’re not going to get that job back,” she said. “These things won’t be fixed by changing our minds tomorrow.”
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, expressed concern that the proposed cuts would undo years of progress in making child care more affordable and accessible. Murray, who led negotiations for child care funding in 2023, helped secure an additional $1 billion for child care and early education as part of a broader $1.2 trillion spending package. This included a $275 million increase for Head Start.
“A couple of billionaires with no idea about what they’re doing came along and decided to take an ax to Head Start,” Murray said. “Talk about clueless. Talk about careless. Instead of giving our kids a head start, Trump and Musk want to give billionaires another tax break and leave families out in the cold.”
