WA Head Start advocates sue Trump

The Trump administration is violating the law by delaying funds to Head Start programs, shedding federal workers and instituting vague policies barring diversity, equity and inclusion, parents and early childhood education advocates allege in a new lawsuit.

“They’re trying to choke down the program through the executive branch, and they don’t have authority to do that,” said Joel Ryan, the executive director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP.

The association, along with advocates from a handful of other states, is suing several Trump officials and agencies. In Washington state, about 15,000 children are enrolled in Head Start, which primarily serves low-income families.

The 98-page complaint, filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, says the administration is violating a slew of federal laws, including those that reinforce the separation of powers between branches of government and Congress’ power to pass a budget.

Head Start, which marks its 60th anniversary this year, has faced growing uncertainty under the new administration. 

The White House may eliminate funding for the program altogether, reportedly describing its curriculum as “radical” and contending that Head Start gives preference to people who are not authorized to be in the U.S.

Providers have dealt with funding freezes and issues with access to the federal payment system, and employees have been let go from the federal office overseeing Head Start, including in Seattle’s regional office. 

Fewer dollars are getting out to local communities for Head Start, which not only educates young children but provides support to their families and helps kids get services like health and behavioral screenings. The program serves not only the poorest children, but also those who are homeless, are in the foster care system or have disabilities.

Earlier this month, a Central Washington provider, Inspire Development Centers, had to close Head Start classrooms and stop offering Early Head Start services for several days due to a lack of federal funds, which they eventually received. 

In the first 3½ months of the year, the federal government has sent out nearly $1 billion less to Head Start programs than in the same period last year, according to the office of Sen. Patty Murray, citing data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Recipients of Head Start grants have also been warned that federal money would not be approved for activities that promote or participate in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and have been told that in accepting Head Start money, they are certifying they don’t operate DEI programs that violate federal anti-discrimination laws.

The lawsuit argues these directives are vague and in conflict with federal laws.

Ryan says Head Start is fundamentally equity based.

“Its goal is to get everybody, regardless of their background and income, ready for school,” he said, “and hopefully at the same place as their middle-class peers, and they’re hamstringing the program from being able to accomplish its true mission.”

Joining the lawsuit are parents’ groups in Oregon and Oakland, Calif., and the Head Start associations in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Illinois. The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Illinois, the ACLU of Washington and the Impact Fund.