Why Support Head Start California?
For more than 60 years, Head Start has been a cornerstone of early childhood education, serving children and families with comprehensive, high-quality support when it matters most. In California alone, Head Start programs reach more than 70,000 children and their families each year, providing access to early learning, health services, and family supports that strengthen communities statewide.
Head Start is more than preschool. It offers health screenings, early interventions, nutrition, and family engagement services that play a critical role in promoting school readiness, well-being, and long-term success. Learn more about Head Start on the next tab!
At Head Start California, we champion these programs through advocacy, professional development, and resources that help providers deliver the highest quality services. By supporting our work, you help ensure that Head Start continues to empower families, uplift communities, and create opportunities for generations to come.
What Will my Gift Provide?
Supporting Head Start California means investing in the future of California's children and families. Your contribution will:
About Head Start California
Head Start preschools do amazing work, and they don’t do it alone. Founded in 1995, Head Start California (HSC) is the premier support organization for Head Start agencies throughout California. In the face of unprecedented threats to federally-funded programs like Head Start, HSC ensures that the Head Start community has a strong, unified voice. We serve as a vital resource and advocate for the nearly 140 Head Start programs in the state, ensuring they have the support, training, and funding needed to deliver high-quality services to children and their families.
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.
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:
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. |
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Learn more about what the Head Start program provides on the next tab.
Funding Needs
To sustain and expand our vital services, we seek funding for the following priorities:
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 70,000 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
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