Last month, Neighborhood House’s Head Start staff and parents took their advocacy efforts to the state and national levels, visiting elected officials in Salem, Oregon, and Washington, DC, to champion funding and support for early childhood education.
These trips, led by Jessica Nguyen, Director of Education, and Kenzie Joly, Mental Health & Inclusion Manager, showcased the critical wrap-around services Head Start provides to families, while giving parents a powerful platform to share their stories.
A United Front in Advocacy
In both Salem and Washington, our team met with legislators and their staff to discuss how funding freezes or cuts would impact Head Start and the thousands of families who depend on it. The advocacy trips focused on galvanizing support for bills related to food security, health, and education, as well as raising awareness of the comprehensive services Head Start offers beyond childcare.
“We’re not just childcare—we’re a full-service program,” Jessica Nguyen emphasized. “Our services include health and dental screenings, support for children with disabilities, mental health inclusion in classrooms, parent education programs like financial literacy and budgeting, and so much more.”
During these visits, the team highlighted the importance of sustaining funding for programs that allow families to access these vital resources, ensuring children are set up for success.
Even supportive legislators don’t always know about everything we do. Advocacy trips are an opportunity to educate them on the wrap-around services we provide and to encourage them to bring that information to their committees and caucuses.
-Jessica Nguyen, Neighborhood House Director of Education
Parent Voices: The Heart of Advocacy
Neighborhood House’s Head Start parents played a pivotal role in the meetings, sharing deeply personal accounts of how the program has supported their families.
Maleaha, one of the parents who joined the team in Salem, spoke about how Head Start’s special education resources changed her family’s life. Both of her children were diagnosed with developmental challenges through Head Start’s screenings, requiring intensive therapies.
“It’s a full-time job managing their appointments and care,” Maleaha said. “Head Start gives me the resources I need so I can focus on my kids’ treatment.”
Parents also gain valuable leadership and communication skills with their advocacy work.
Impactful Outcomes
In Washington, DC, the team met with Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, and staff from Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Maxine Dexter, and Andrea Salinas.
Just days after the federal funding freeze proposal was announced, it was blocked, thanks in part to the advocacy work of Head Start representatives nationwide.
“Our efforts brought awareness to the crisis a funding freeze would create—not just for Head Start families but for the broader economy,” Kenzie Joly explained. “A freeze would result in layoffs, childcare shortages, and economic fallout for hundreds of thousands of families across the country.”
In Salem, parents and staff helped raise state legislators’ awareness of Head Start programs.
“Even supportive legislators don’t always know about everything we do,” Jessica noted. “Advocacy trips are an opportunity to educate them on the wrap-around services we provide and to encourage them to bring that information to their committees and caucuses.”
Looking Ahead: Building Advocacy at Home
Neighborhood House is also strengthening advocacy efforts locally by forming an Advocacy Task Force. This group will include staff from all programs, parents, and potentially community members, creating a broader platform for engagement and action.
Advocacy is a key part of ensuring that families continue to benefit from programs like Head Start. These trips to Salem and Washington, DC, are just the beginning. Together, with our dedicated staff, passionate parents, and supportive community, we’ll continue to fight for the funding and resources that allow families to thrive.
See the Neighborhood House website for more information about Head Start.
