Facts In Action

Earlier this fall the House passed a Head Start reauthorization bill by 1 vote. The bill included very little new funding for the program and a proposal to block grant the program so that the money would go to states, and not directly to community agencies. The Senate bill, which is still awaiting debate, does not include the block grant proposal, increases funding for the program over the next 3 years, and expands Early Head Start. However, it has some child advocates concerned because it does nothing to slow down the implementation of the controversial National Reporting System and includes troubling language on child outcomes. The Senate is not expected to vote on this bill until next year, and once it does, the House and Senate will still need to reach a compromise between their two bills.

Facts in Action, November/December 2003