Head Start Finds Stability as CARES Act is Signed into Law

On March 27, 2020, the president signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. This bill includes $750 million in Head Start funding to support the children and families affected by COVID-19.

            This bill also includes $3.5 million in funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program, which provides federal funding to states for child care subsidies for low-income families.

            COVID-19 has brought Head Start agencies all around the United States to a halt as many have endured forced closures due to the virus. With numerous medical experts advising everyone to practice social distancing to help “flatten the curve” of the virus, child care has suffered.

            The National Head Start Association Executive Director, Yasmina Vinci stated, “As it has done for 55 years, from its civil rights roots to the worst natural disasters, Head Start continues to be a beacon of hope in communities during this current public health crisis. From calling families just to check in to providing educational resources to help learning continue at home to delivering food to children who might otherwise go hungry, Head Start is finding new ways to continue supporting America’s most vulnerable children and families through this time of historic uncertainty.”

             The CARES Act supports numerous child care services, such as nutrition assistance, housing support, health and safety, education, and more. First Five Years Fund states these are other provisions from the bill that will help stabilize the child care industry:

• Both non-profit and for-profit child care providers with less than 500 employees will be eligible to apply for small business loans of which 8 weeks of payroll, mortgage/rent & utility payments, are eligible for loan forgiveness. And federal loan assistance is available for midsize and large child care providers through the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Act; and
• An additional $20 billion in funding for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which allows states to award funds to early childhood education programs and services.

With the CARES Act, Head Start and other child care agencies can breathe a sigh of relief during this crisis. “The Head Start community is also grateful for the funding given to our partners in child and family services to help them address the evolving needs stemming from this public health and community crisis,” Vinci said. “Especially child care providers who are our most consistent partners.”