Governor Healey Advances Head Start State Grants to Prevent Closures During Trump’s Shutdown

Governor Healey Advances Head Start State Grants to Prevent Closures During Trump’s Shutdown 

Continued government shutdown could lead to child care programs closing, staff layoffs 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced that, in collaboration with the Legislature, she is advancing previously planned state Head Start supplemental funding for several Head Start programs that were facing layoffs of child care providers due to President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ shutdown of the federal government. This funding will allow programs to remain open through November so thousands of children can access the education and wraparound supports they deserve, and parents can work. 

In Massachusetts, Head Start supports over 11,000 children annually and employs approximately 4,000 early childhood professionals. Governor Healey and the Legislature approved $20 million for Head Start State Supplemental grants to strengthen and expand access to 28 Head Start and Early Head Start programs across Massachusetts in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. About 80 percent of Head Start and Early Head Start budgets are paid with federal funds, which these state grants supplement to help strengthen the workforce and enhance program quality. The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is distributing the full grant funding immediately to impacted local Head Start and Early Head Start grantees to help programs sustain high-quality services, support their workforce, and meet the needs of children and families from birth through age five.   

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans are hurting our children, families and hardworking child care providers with their federal government shutdown. Head Start programs are a critical part of our state’s child care system – and they rely on federal funding to operate,” said Governor Healey. “Without this federal support, many Massachusetts parents will have to make the impossible decision between going to work or caring for their kids. In Massachusetts, we are doing everything we can to support Head Start programs by advancing this existing funding to help them avoid layoffs and keep their doors open, but we don’t have the resources to make up for what the federal government owes. We’re grateful to our partners in the Legislature for approving this funding that we are making available on an expedited basis.” 

“Access to Head Start programs support the economic stability of families and promote children’s healthy development and well-being,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “President Trump needs to reopen the government so Head Start programs can continue to provide care, pay their educators and see that our youngest learners, regardless of zip code or economic background, can access the high-quality education they need to succeed in school and life." 

“This government shutdown began because President Trump and Congressional Republicans chose to take health insurance away from millions of Americans, and they are now choosing to let families go hungry, and to stop providing vital access to quality childcare for those who are most in need. While the Commonwealth cannot entirely support a program that is largely federally funded, I’m proud of the fact that Massachusetts is doing all that it can to ensure that this vital program can continue in the near-term without mass layoffs and closures,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey and her Administration for advancing this funding, as well as my colleagues in the House, and our partners in the Senate, for voting to support funding for Head Start.” 

“The Legislature’s investment in Head Start reflects our Commonwealth’s deep belief that every dollar spent on early education changes lives,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “That belief does not change just because President Trump and Congressional Republicans have shut down the government. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for stepping up to support the kids, families, and providers that Washington is turning its back on. It’s time for President Trump and Congressional Republicans to do their jobs and reopen the government and give Head Start programs the stability they deserve." 

Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw visited the South Shore Community Action Council’s South Shore Early Education Center in Plymouth earlier this week to highlight the importance of the Head Start State Supplemental Grants. They also visited Pathways for Children in Gloucester, which has several Head Start classrooms, as part of their road show to highlight the impact the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) is having on expanding access to universal pre-k. Head Start programs are importantly integrated within the state’s child care system. 

“Head Start programs help to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty through comprehensive educational programs that meet children’s emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs. I was pleased to visit Head Start programs in Plymouth and Gloucester this week with Commissioner Kershaw to see these programs in action,” said Education Secretary Tutwiler. “In Massachusetts, we will continue to do everything we can to take care of children and families.” 

“Head Start and Early Head Start are a critical part of our early education and care system, providing thousands of children across the state with the strong foundation they deserve and connecting their families with economic opportunities,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Kershaw. “Now more than ever, these supplemental funds demonstrate Massachusetts’s commitment to partnering with our Head Start programs, and to supporting the children and families they serve.” 

Programs may use the Head Start State Supplemental grant funds to support staff salaries, benefits, and compensation strategies that promote recruitment and retention of Head Start and Early Head Start staff. The grants also support investments in comprehensive, high-quality services — such as hiring instructional coaches, mental health consultants, and additional teachers — to improve classroom quality and reduce staff-to-child ratios.  

“Head Start State Supplemental Grants are a vital resource for programs and classrooms, supporting the hardworking Head Start workforce. Over 90% of Head Start State Supplemental funds go to wage and salary support for Head Start staff, an ongoing resource that is unmatched elsewhere,” said Michelle Haimowitz, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Head Start Association. “In this challenging federal climate and amidst a federal government shutdown, the commitment from the Massachusetts legislature and the Healey-Driscoll Administration to raise wages for the Head Start workforce with $20 million for Head Start State Supplemental Grants is more important than ever.” 

“We were very honored to be asked to host the announcement of the Head Start Supplemental Grant money increase,” said Dotty Caron, Director of Early Childhood at South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. “We are grateful for the work of our state legislature and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for increasing the Head Start State Supplemental Grants by $1.5 million to $20 million this year. At South Shore Early Education, we are proud to put these funds to work directly to supplement the salaries of our hardworking staff, including interpreters, nurses, family advocates, coaches and more.”  

“Head Start programs in Massachusetts provide vital early childhood education, health and wellness benefits, and other critical services to thousands of families each year,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “While the federal government unfortunately remains shut down for business, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is stepping up to prevent layoffs and Head Start closures to ensure access to programming for families who need it.” 

“Head Start programs expand access to high-quality early education and care for families across the Commonwealth,” said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I am proud that the Legislature joins the Administration in its commitment to funding these programs."  

"Every child deserves access to a strong start. Reducing federal support for Head Start undermines the progress that has been made in early education. I am glad that Massachusetts continues to invest in our youngest learners—and the teachers who guide them—we build stronger, more resilient communities for everyone when we invest in programs like this," said Representative Michelle L. Badger (D-1st Plymouth). 

Massachusetts receives approximately $189 million in annual federal funding for Head Start, supporting a robust network of programs statewide. Massachusetts is one of only a few states that supplements that federal funding with state dollars.  

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide free, comprehensive learning and development services to low-income families with children from birth to age five. Early Head Start programs also offer prenatal support for expectant parents. Families receiving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, as well as children in foster care or experiencing homelessness, automatically qualify for Head Start. 

This year’s Head Start State Supplemental Grant awardees: 

Awardee	City/Towns Served
Action For Boston Community Development, Inc.	Boston, Everett, Malden, and Medford
Associates for Human Services, Inc.	Attleboro, Brockton, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Middleboro, New Bedford, Norton, Taunton, Whitman, and West Bridgewater
Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program, Inc	Adams, Alford, Becket, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dalton, Egremont, Florida, Great Barrington, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, New Ashford, Mount Washington, Monterey, North Adams, Otis, Peru, Pittsfield, Richmond, Sandisfield, Savoy, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, West Stockbridge, Windsor, and Williamstown
Cape Cod YMCA	Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth
Citizens for Citizens, Inc.	Berkley, Dighton, Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport
Communities United, Inc.	Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Burlington, Lexington, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley, and Woburn
Community Action Agency of Somerville	Cambridge and Somerville
Community Action, Inc.	Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, and West Newbury
Community Action Pioneer Valley, Inc.	Agawam, Amherst, Belchertown, Bernardston, Blandford, Buckland, Charlemont, Chester, Chesterfield, Colrain, Conway, Cummington, Deerfield, Easthampton, Erving, Gill, Goshen, Granby, Granville, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Hawley, Heath, Huntington, Leverett, Leyden, Middlefield, Montrose, Montague, Montgomery, New Salem, Northampton, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Russell, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Southwick, Sunderland, Tolland, Ware, Warwick, Wendell, West Springfield, Westfield, Westhampton, Whately, Williamsburg, and Worthington
Community Action Program-Inter City, Incorporated	Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop
Community Day Care Center of Lawrence, Inc.	Lawrence and Methuen
Community Teamwork, Inc.	Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington
Dimock Community Services Corporation	Boston
Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc.	Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, and North Andover
Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, Inc	Chicopee, Holyoke, Ludlow and Springfield
LEO INC.	Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott
Making Opportunity Count, Inc.	Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Barre, Boylston, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Hubbardston, Leominster, Lunenburg, Phillipston, Royalston, Rutland, Templeton, Westminster, and Winchendon
Martha's Vineyard Community Services Incorporated	Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury
Pathways for Children, Inc.	Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Middleton, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Topsfield, and Wenham
People Acting In Community Endeavors, Inc.	Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, and New Bedford
Quincy Community Action Program, Inc.	Braintree, Hull, Milton, Quincy, and Weymouth
Riverside Community Care, Inc.	Cambridge, Medford, and Somerville
Self-Help Incorporated	Abington, Attleboro, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Canton, Dedham, East Bridgewater, Easton, Foxboro, Franklin, Hanover, Hanson, Holbrook, Kingston, Mansfield, Middleboro, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Norwood, Plainville, Randolph, Rockland, Stoughton, Walpole, West Bridgewater, Westwood, Whitman, and Wrentham
South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc.	Acton, Ashland, Bellingham, Blackstone, Boxboro, Concord, Dover, Framingham, Grafton, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lincoln, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Sherborn, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Upton, Uxbridge, Wayland, Westborough, and Weston
South Shore Community Action Council, Inc.	Bourne, Carver, Cohasset, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanover, Hingham, Kingston, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Scituate, and Wareham
Triumph, Inc.	Raynham and Taunton
Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.	Auburn, Dudley, East Brookfield, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Oxford, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Webster and West Brookfield
Worcester Child Development (City of Worcester)	Worcester Child Development (City of Worcester)