Montgomery County leadership, including County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Natali Fani-González, and Community Action Board Chair DaVida Rowley are speaking out about proposed changes that would significantly weaken Head Start’s longstanding standards. Montgomery County holds a clear and unequivocal stance opposing the proposed federal changes to Head Start. While recognizing the importance of improving administrative efficiency, these changes would significantly alter the core of the program.
In response, Montgomery County is submitting a joint public comment as part of the official notice-and-comment process for the proposed rule. The County joins a broad range of other jurisdictions, organizations, and individuals in formally opposing the proposed changes, and hopes that its comment, along with the many other voices against this proposed rule, will be fully considered before any final decision is made
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“Head Start has been changing lives in Montgomery County for more than 60 years, giving kids a real shot at showing up to kindergarten ready to learn. These proposed changes don’t cut red tape, they cut into what makes the program work: qualified teachers, high-quality early learning, and a voice for parents,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We are standing with Head Start families, and we are asking the federal government to reconsider.”
As a Head Start grantee for more than 60 years, Montgomery County remains committed to helping children enter school ready to learn and ensuring families have the resources, stability and connections needed for lifelong success.
“Head Start and early education programs are essential for education and economic development in Montgomery County and across Maryland,” said Council President Natali Fani-González, who also chairs the Council’s Economic Development Committee. “Local leaders and providers are deeply concerned that the proposed changes will reduce access to high-quality programs and pose operational challenges for Head Start providers. Moreover, this proposal is a direct attack on multilingual programs. Requiring English-only instruction contradicts decades of research showing that students learn best by building on their home language first. We can’t allow this latest proposed federal action to remove core safeguards for our children and destabilize families.”
Head Start and Montgomery County stand together in the belief:
- Children thrive with stable, high-quality early learning environments. Reducing instructional hours and easing staffing requirements would limit learning time and undermine the safe, developmentally appropriate classrooms that families count on.
- Bilingualism is a strength. Our community includes families who speak many languages, and research shows that bilingualism enhances cognitive development. Eliminating dual-language support harms children and disconnects families from their cultural identities and educational engagement.
- Parents must have a voice. Strong family partnerships are central to Head Start’s success. Reducing requirements for parent engagement would weaken accountability, trust, and cultural responsiveness. These are essential pillars.
- A strong workforce supports strong children. Experienced early childhood educators, robust training, and mental health support are not administrative burdens; they are the infrastructure that makes high-quality early learning possible. Lowering administrative funding threatens the stability and preparedness of the workforce that cares for our youngest residents.
- Equity depends on consistent quality. Shifting core standards entirely to states risks uneven experiences for children and potentially exacerbates inequities across the nation. Families should not have different opportunities or protections simply because of where they live.
“Head Start works because it meets children and families where they are and gives parents a meaningful voice in the services their children receive,” said Montgomery County Community Action Board chair DaVida Rowley. “We cannot lower the standards for the families who have historically had the fewest opportunities—we must protect the quality, voice, and support that every child deserves.”
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Montgomery County is committed to equitable, high–quality early childhood education, and will continue to support efforts that streamline administration without compromising the needs of children, families, or educators. Each year, Head Start in Montgomery County serves approximately 1000 children across Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and community-based programs. About 63% of enrolled children come from multilingual households, reflecting the rich diversity of our community. To ensure services reach those who benefit most from comprehensive early learning services and wraparound support, 100% of the infants, toddlers and preschool children come from homes experiencing economic hardships. Montgomery County stands with Head Start because we stand with children, with families who are the heart of our community, and with the early care educators who make this work possible. This critical work enables parents to pursue employment, education, and stability while their children learn and grow in safe, supportive environments. Any policy changes must strengthen, not weaken, the foundations that allow our programs to deliver the high–quality care our community depends on.
For information about Montgomery County’s Head Start program, visit the MCPS website.
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Media Contact: Mary Anderson, 301-529-7669 or mary.anderson@montgomerycountymd.gov
Read the original article at mcgov
