(Boston Orange編譯)麻州政府今（11）日發表聲明，強烈呼籲川普政府撤回取消「啟蒙計畫（Head Start）」教職員的薪資與福利保障的聯邦幼教新制草案，抨擊的指稱，此舉將使機構更難招募人才。
美國衛生福利部（U.S. Department of Health and Human Services）提出的這新草案，旨在廢除原訂「啟蒙計畫教職員薪資必須比照公立學校教師」的聯邦規定。麻州啟蒙計畫協會（Massachusetts Head Start Association）執行長海莫維茨（Michelle Haimowitz）與麻州議會教育共同委員會主席高登（Ken Gordon）等人警告，取消薪資保障將使人才嚴重流失，引發教師荒，進而迫使機構減班，限制貧困家庭獲取托育服務的機會。
麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）與副州長Kim Driscoll批評道，在幼教業面臨招募困境之際，聯邦政府的做法完全是「走回頭路」。麻州教育廳廳長茲里克（Steve Zrike）與早期教育廳長柯肖（Amy Kershaw）也直言，這全面扭轉了拜登（Biden）政府時期的薪資保障政策，只會惡化待遇不公。
聯邦「啟蒙計畫」主要為低收入家庭與孕婦提供免費早期學習與健康支持。麻州藉此計畫每年服務 1 萬多名弱勢幼兒，並聘用約 3,500 名專業人員。由於多數機構同時參加麻州的「兒童照顧財務援助（Child Care Financial Assistance）」計畫，允許混合使用不同資金，聯邦政策一變動，將對麻州整體托育系統造成連鎖反應。
麻州是全美少數編列預算補貼該計畫的州，奚莉政府執政後每年增加撥款逾 350 萬美元。在聯邦政府關門期間，麻州就曾緊急撥款維持營運；目前也持續透過「聯邦照顧兒童（Commonwealth Cares for Children, C3）」營運補助金補貼薪資，全力填補聯邦資金缺口。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Calls on Trump Administration to Reverse the Proposed Head Start Rule That Lowers Wages and Makes It Harder to Recruit Providers
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is calling on the Trump Administration to reverse a proposed rule that would weaken Head Start programs by eliminating requirements related to educator wages and benefits, making it harder for providers to recruit and retain qualified staff.
The proposed U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rule would rescind Head Start wage and benefit requirements and remove expectations that Head Start educators are paid the same as public school teachers. Early education providers and advocates warn that the proposal could worsen workforce shortages, reduce program capacity and limit access to services for children and families who rely on Head Start.
“Head Start helps thousands of children get ready for school and gives parents the support they need to go to work and support their families,” said Governor Maura Healey. “At a time when child care programs are already struggling to recruit and retain staff, this proposal moves us in the wrong direction. President Trump’s proposed rule will hurt our children, families and hardworking child care providers, increasing costs for families and exacerbating workforce shortages. We should be strengthening the early education workforce, not making it harder for programs to keep their doors open and serve children.”
“Massachusetts has made significant progress expanding access to child care, increasing support for educators and helping families afford care,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “But states cannot do this alone. We need a strong federal partner that understands the importance of Head Start and is willing to invest in the workforce that makes these programs possible.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has consistently supported Head Start programs and the early education workforce. During President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ shutdown of the federal government, Governor Healey advanced state Head Start supplemental funding to help several programs remain open so thousands of children could continue receiving supportive services, access education and parents could keep working.
Massachusetts is also one of only a handful of states that supplements federal Head Start funding with state grants. Under the Healey-Driscoll Administration, state Head Start supplemental funding has increased by more than $3.5 million annually. Massachusetts also continues to fund the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operational grant program at the same level previously supported by federal relief funding, helping providers cover operating costs, support educator compensation and retain staff.
“Since he got to office, President Trump has continued to attack Head Start programs, which help break the cycle of multigenerational poverty through comprehensive educational programs. We know that Head Start programs here in Massachusetts and around the country continue to face compensation disparities compared to public school settings. Removing wages and compensation expectations does not help solve this problem – it only makes things worse,” said Secretary of Education Steve Zrike. “In Massachusetts, we will continue to do everything we can to take care of children and families.”
“Head Start programs play a vital role in helping children learn, grow, and enter school ready to succeed, while supporting families and strengthening communities,” said Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw. “At a time when early education programs continue to face workforce challenges, the priority should be investing in educators — not weaking expectations for fair and competitive compensation. Massachusetts remains committed to supporting Head Start programs and the children and families they serve.”
Head Start programs provide free, comprehensive early learning, health and family support services to low-income children and families, as well as prenatal services for expectant parents. In Massachusetts, Head Start serves more than 10,000 children annually and employs approximately 3,500 early childhood professionals.
The proposed rule would reverse workforce-related changes adopted under the Biden Administration that were intended to strengthen recruitment and retention in Head Start programs nationwide. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has submitted public comments opposing the proposal and is urging the federal government to maintain expectations that support fair compensation and workforce stability.
"Educators are the most critical component of the Head Start model and low compensation and instability due to federal underfunding have direct consequences for children and families,” said Michelle Haimowitz, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Head Start Association. “Rescinding federal wage and benefit requirements does not solve the underlying problem. We are grateful to work closely with the Healey-Driscoll Administration which has in turn clearly prioritized educator compensation through Head Start State Supplemental Grants and C3. Along with our state leadership, we urge the Administration and Congress to commit to meaningful federal investment and workforce stability to avoid unnecessary disruptions to care for our most vulnerable children and families."
“Head Start programs play a vital role in expanding access to early education and care, which we know is critical for children, families, and our workforce," said Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "Any effort to weaken these programs would undermine opportunities for our most vulnerable children and families and should not move forward.”
In Massachusetts, many Head Start programs participate in the state's Child Care Financial Assistance programs, allowing funding streams to be blended so children are served together regardless of funding source. As a result, changes to Head Start funding and workforce policies can have ripple effects throughout the broader early education and child care system across Massachusetts.
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