Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council responds to possible federal plans to eliminate Head Start and Early Head Start
by Dr. Morgan Crossman, Executive Director, Building Bright Futures
Vermont Business Magazine As Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council named in the Federal Head Start Act, Building Bright Futures (BBF) is deeply concerned about reports that the upcoming federal budget proposal may eliminate Head Start and Early Head Start. These programs are essential to meeting the basic needs of Vermont families.
BBF is committed to ensuring that all of Vermont’s children and families have access to the fundamental resources they need to thrive. BBF plays a critical role in monitoring how policy decisions—federal, state and local—affect the early childhood system and in holding decision-makers accountable for protecting and strengthening this system.
In 2024, Head Start and Early Head Start served 1,249 at-risk children in Vermont, supported by $27.7 million in federal funding. These programs provide early education and much more. They ensure that children receive comprehensive health screenings, nutrition, family support and access to developmental services—critical supports that help lay the foundation for lifelong well-being and academic success.
Research consistently shows that participation in Head Start improves long-term outcomes for children, including increased high school graduation rates and improved health. These programs are also a key part of Vermont’s early childhood infrastructure, especially given that access to child care, particularly in rural areas of our state, continues to be a challenge.
Vermont’s Head Start programs also employ 450 people, including 260 early educators, home visitors and child development professionals—all of whom are valuable members of the state’s workforce and many of whom are paid above average salaries in their positions.
BBF recognizes that the federal budget proposal is not final and is advocating to maintain federal funding for Head Start. Nonetheless, BBF urges Vermont’s leaders—including the governor, state agencies and legislators—to begin planning now for how Vermont can sustain these critical services should federal funding be reduced or eliminated. Contingency planning and cross-sector collaboration will be essential to mitigate harm to children and families.
The potential elimination of Head Start would represent not just a loss of services, but a setback to decades of progress in advancing equitable access to high-quality services that support child and family well-being. The Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council remains committed to ensuring that all Vermont children—especially those most vulnerable—have access to the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
The mission of Building Bright Futures (BBF) is to improve the well-being of children and families in Vermont by using evidence to inform policy and by bringing voices together across sectors and within regions to discuss critical challenges and problem-solve. BBF is Vermont’s early childhood public-private partnership, charged under Vermont Title 33 § Chapter 46 and the Federal Head Start Act (Public Law 110-134) as Vermont’s Early Childhood State Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC advises Vermont’s governor and legislature on the well-being of children in the prenatal period through age 8 and their families. BBF’s network includes 12 Regional Councils, seven VECAP Committees and the State Advisory Council. BBF maintains Vermont’s Early Childhood Action Plan (VECAP), the vision and strategic plan for Vermont’s early childhood system. BBF is responsible for ensuring accountability and measuring the success of the VECAP and Vermont's Act 76, a child care law passed in 2023. BBF supports accountability through Vermont’s Early Childhood Data & Policy Center, which serves as a nonpartisan, independent source of data, research and publications for policymakers, researchers and the public. Learn more at buildingbrightfutures.org.
April 28, 2025 (WILLISTON, Vt.)—Building Bright Futures
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