Head Start gives kids a chance. Keep it open

I’ve spent much of my life in classrooms, and for the past 10 years I’ve been advocating for early childhood education here in Iowa. Head Start has always stood out to me as a program that truly works. It helps children from every background build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

In Iowa, more than 5,000 children benefit from Head Start each year. But with the federal shutdown, that progress is at risk. As of Nov. 1, 140 programs across the country stood to lose their federal funds, disrupting education for more than 65,000 kids.

As an educator, I’ve seen what happens when we invest early — and when we don’t. Political leaders must keep Head Start open and running, for the sake of hardworking parents across Iowa and every child who deserves a fair start in life.

Cathy Meyer

Anamosa