Rhode Island Head Start Parents Travel to Washington, D.C. to Meet with Lawmakers

Parents share firsthand experiences to help shape the future of Head Start

Head Start parents and caregivers from Rhode Island Head Start Association (RIHSA) are in Washington, D.C., this week as part of Parents Unite, a nationwide, parent-led advocacy movement powered by the National Head Start Association (NHSA) in coordination with Head Start programs and associations nationwide.

Joining more than 100 parents and caregivers from across the country, participants are meeting directly with members of Congress and their staff to share their personal experiences and highlight the impact Head Start has on children, families, and communities.

Parents from RIHSA are bringing firsthand perspectives to Capitol Hill, sharing how Head Start has supported their children’s development, made it possible for families to work and pursue education, and helped build stability in their communities.

“When Rhode Island parents bring their experiences directly to Capitol Hill, it helps ensure that national policy decisions reflect the realities families face every day. The voices of parents from the Ocean State are an essential part of these conversations.”

—Mary Varr, Exectutive Director, Woonsocket Head Start Child

“Head Start has always been designed with parents, not just for them — that’s what makes it work,” says Yasmina Vinci, executive director of NHSA. “For 60 years, their voices have shaped this program — and right now, Congress needs to hear them. Parents are not a footnote in their children’s future. They are the whole story. The future of America’s children depends on lawmakers listening.”

In Rhode Island, federal and state early learning opportunities serve more than 13,116 children and families or 20% of children ages 5 and under – providing early learning, health, and family support services that strengthen families and communities.

Head Start has served more than 40 million children and families nationwide since 1965. As Congress considers funding for the upcoming fiscal year, parents from WHSCDA, Inc. are emphasizing the importance of continued investment to meet the needs of families in their communities.

The Parents Unite movement will continue beyond Washington, D.C., as parents, alumni, and advocates across the country remain engaged in efforts to protect and strengthen Head Start for the next generation of children and families.