By: Ashmar Mandou
On Monday, elected officials joined by Gads Hill Center CEO Mariana Osoria, Dawn Delgado, Director of Early Learning at Metropolitan Family Services and Viviana Vergara, Home Visiting Supervisor and parent advocate at El Hogar del Niño, held a press conference to discuss the arbitrary decision by the Trump administration to close the Region 5 Office of Head Start (OHS) will have on children, parents and providers. The Congressman also hosted an early education roundtable to brief education partners on key issues and concerns related to grant administration and program oversight.
“Research confirms that 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years of their lives, making this the best time to invest in them. If we want a thriving, growing country, let’s invest in that critical foundation that sets the brain architecture for optimal, life-long learning,” said Gads Hill Center CEO Mariana Osoria. “Head Start and Early Head Start programs do just that for our youngest learners regardless of their zip code, regardless of whether the program is in an urban or rural community. Simply put, Head Start works.”
On April 1, 2025, the Trump administration abruptly closed and laid off all staff in five of Head Start’s 10 regional offices—Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. Head Start regional offices play a vital role in administering grants and overseeing the delivery of Head Start services for low-income children and families in communities across the United States. Collectively, the closed offices served nearly 800, or 41 percent of, Head Start grantees and nearly 318,000, or 44 percent of, funded slots for children across 22 states and five U.S. territories. “Early childhood education cannot be an afterthought. It is essential for our children, especially for low-income and working families,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García. “Since the regional office here in Chicago closed, many providers have told us they feel ignored by the federal government. There’s no guidance, no answers, and that’s not fair to our communities. Parents are nervous about whether their children will be able to remain in the program.
“Head Start is not just an early education program—it provides services such as health screenings, nutritious meals, mental health services, and parental support that helps communities thrive. Cutting funding jeopardizes these wraparound services critical for healthy child development,” said Director of Early Learning at Metropolitan Family Services Dawn Delgado. “Additionally, Head Start supports low-income families with family counseling, job training, and additional support to overcoming poverty, and it also enables parents to work, to stay working, or attend school as it serves as reliable childcare with an emphasis on early childhood education.”
Earlier this month, Rep. García led 24 Members of Congress in sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers about the abrupt decision to close all Head Start offices in Region 5. The move was announced without prior notice or implementation guidance, prompting widespread confusion among families, providers, and staff. As of June 16, Sec. Kennedy has not provided answers.
“I am the product of Head Start; I am the daughter of a working-class immigrant family who did everything to give me the best start possible. Now that I am a parent, both of my children are Head Start babies, and it truly is because of this program that I get to do what I love. Head Start has been fundamental to me being able to go to school, have a career and advocate for my community. Every day I know that I am leaving my children in a safe place where they are not only being taken care of, but they are safe, and they are learning! They go to a place that is not just a building, but like a second home,” said Home Visiting Supervisor and parent advocate at El Hogar del Niño, Viviana Vergara. “At this moment, the unknown is what brings fear, because there are so many families in need of services and agencies who they can depend on to help them thrive, so that they can in return help our communities thrive.” For additional information about Illinois Head Start, visit www.ilheadstart.org.
