Garamendi Introduces Bill Expanding Early Education Eligibility for California Families
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, as Donald Trump and Republicans are pushing an illegal scheme to choke virtually all federal funding, potentially including for the country’s largest federal early education program, Head Start, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) introduced legislation to expand eligibility for families left behind. Rep. Garamendi was joined by 15 of his Democratic colleagues.
The bill, “Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025” (H.R. 728), would address this gap by amending the Head Start Act to include families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and federal housing assistance as eligible. This legislation would more specifically expand Head Start for people receiving WIC and federal housing assistance while codifying existing categorical eligibility to Head Start for TANF, SSI, and SNAP to prevent future administrations from revoking this inclusion.
“While Donald Trump has threatened to eliminate Head Start entirely and has now caused chaos and confusion with the threat of an unconstitutional freeze on all federal funding, I’m working to expand access to this critical early education program for working Californian families,” said Rep. Garamendi (D-CA-08). “Donald Trump’s goal to eliminate Head Start only hurts hard-working Americans who want their children to have access to quality education. While Trump and his Republican puppets are pushing policies that abandon our communities, I will always fight to ensure that American children have the opportunity to learn and thrive. This bill fights against Trump’s divisive agenda and brings us closer to a more equitable and affordable America for all.”
“As efforts to cut spending threaten families’ access to various programs, Head Start California is proud to support Rep. Garamendi’s Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025,” said Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director of Head Start California. “The bill is critical to supporting the families that are eligible for a myriad of other Federal assistance programs but are left out of Head Start. This bill would level the playing field by allowing more of our most vulnerable children and families to apply for Head Start services. It would also stabilize enrollment in parts of California that are experiencing under-enrollment due to demographic shifts and the State’s implementation of universal pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds. Now is not the time to limit access to early education for families who need it most. We must continue to fight for policies, including this legislation, that would maintain local control of enrollment and allow individual programs to continue determining which eligible children and families the program is most suited to serve.”
“E Center is proud to support the Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025. E Center firmly believes that families that qualify for and rely on supplemental food and housing programs should qualify for Head Start Services. This bill recognizes that families in need of these basic necessities are also in need of quality childcare services, providing support to families as they strive towards self-sufficiency. Childcare is an essential need for low-income families as they work towards stability,” said E Center.
Since its inception in 1965, the federally funded Head Start program has provided over 39 million children from low-income families with high-quality early education and the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. Additionally, these locally run programs partner with families and communities to provide children and their families with health and nutrition services. Nationwide, Head Start serves over 800,000 children annually, including nearly 95,000 in California.
Endorsed by: Head Start California, NEA, AFT, AASA, California County Superintendents, National Center on Housing and Child Welfare, Association of Educational Service Agencies, Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP, and Oregon Head Start Association.
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