rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/call_campaign/tell-congress-to-stop-rfks-attack-on-head-start?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-call_campaign-area-tell-congress-to-stop-rfks-attack-on-head-start' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> MomsRising https://actionnetwork.org/groups/momsrising-mobile-list https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/call_campaigns/photos/000/006/582/normal/RFK_Head_Start_FB.jpg U.S. Department Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr. is attacking Head Start, proposing to eliminate most of the program's standards and rolling back regulatory rules. If enacted, this move will further exacerbate our nation’s worsening child care crisis while spelling disaster for the hundreds and thousands of children and families who rely on Head Start for care. The importance of supporting the Head Start program and its teachers and families cannot be overstated. Head Start is the most important social and educational program for children, families, and communities the United States has ever undertaken, operating in all 50 states, and providing child care access and comprehensive services to nearly 40 million children over the past few decades. Head Start enables parents to work, provides high-quality early education and care to our littlest learners, and allows child care workers to stay and advance in their profession.  Programs like Head Start are more critical than ever. The child care system has been unaffordable and unattainable for families across the nation for decades. Yet instead of working to address this ongoing crisis, Secretary Kennedy and the current administration are proposing to undermine Head Start by pushing forward om harmful rule changes to the program.  These changes will harmfully: Reduce quality early learning, health, family engagement and leadership, and comprehensive support services to children and families. Worsen child care ratios by increasing classroom numbers. Reduce qualification and credential standards for teachers. Remove guidelines around supporting children with disabilities, who make up the required 10% Head Start enrollment for disabled populations. Heavily impact rural communities, where Head Start is often the only reliable early learning and child care program available to families. We need your help now to defend Head Start from these attacks. If enacted, these changes would significantly weaken the very fabric of Head Start and disrupt family stability and economic security, cut off access to nutritious meals, physical and mental health checkups, and other vital services. Tell Congress to immediately call on Health and Human Services to rescind RFK Jr’s proposed rule changes and protect Head Start! https://actionnetwork.org/call_campaigns/tell-congress-to-stop-rfks-attack-on-head-start