The continuing resolution is the first of many steps in the appropriations process and provides an ideal opportunity for constituents – including Head Start families, staff, alumni, and supporters – to let their members of Congress know that level funding is not enough, and they need to prioritize Head Start when appropriating funds for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on October 1, 2025. 

Head Start programs are facing significant pressures that include rising costs, workforce shortages, and increased demand for comprehensive early childhood services. Maintaining funding for a third consecutive year, without accounting for inflation, workforce competition, or increased needs, is effectively a cut. 

Congress must hear from you that Head Start needs a cost-of-living adjustment.

Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve more than 778,000 children and families nationwide and employ more than 263,000 staff throughout the country. A Head Start cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is a sound, cost-effective investment in our youth, allowing them to reach their full potential. According to the Office of Head Start, its program graduates score higher on school readiness measures such as verbal achievement, perceptual reasoning and social competence than their peers who were not enrolled in these critical programs. For every dollar invested in Head Start, the country realizes almost nine dollars in benefits through increased earnings, decreased welfare dependence, and reduced reliance on other social programs.

The modest 3.2% COLA is an essential first step in stabilizing the Head Start workforce and maintaining access to this critical support for children in the United States. 

Please use the tool to the right to urge Congress to support a COLA for Head Start in FY2026.