Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 16, 2026 Malden state representatives publicly denounce federal attack on Head Start Trump Administration proposal would dismantle Head Start standards S tate Representatives Paul Donato (D-Medford), Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose) and Steven Ultrino (D-Malden) joined over 40 other Massachusetts Representatives in submitting Public Comments opposing the federal proposal to eliminate over 90% of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the foundational regulations for Head Start. Reportedly, this proposal would weaken the proven program, which has decades of evidence showing improved outcomes for vulnerable children and families, and make it harder for local programs to provide the high-quality services children and families deserve. In September the Malden State Representatives joined Governor Maura Healey and local, state and federal leaders at ABCD Head Start in Malden to denounce the proposed federal rule changes. “Every child deserves a chance to thrive, and that opportunity can begin early in life,” said Representative Donato. “As a former foster child, I know how important and life-changing it is to have access to programs and opportunities. Head Start is a crucial asset to many Massachusetts children and families, which is why we need to continue to fund this initiative. These programs provide access to early education and support to build a strong pathway to success.” “As a former public school teacher and as a mom, I’ve experienced firsthand the importance and positive impacts of early education and childcare (EEC),” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “This federal administration continues to undermine and defund programs that support our most vulnerable residents, children, and families. Massachusetts is the only state that has made permanent the level of COVID-era funding for EEC that the federal government supplied during the Biden Administration, reflecting the Commonwealth’s recognition Pictured at Malden’s ABCD Head Start event, from left to right, are State Representatives Steve Ultrino, Paul Donato and Kate LipperGarabedian, Governor Maura Healey, Massachusetts Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike Jr. and the House Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education, State Representative Kenneth Gordon. (Courtesy photo) of the value of education and the significant role it plays in expanding opportunities. As a member of the Legislature, I was proud to support $20 million in state funding for Head Start programs in the FY27 budget. It is incredibly concerning that we are seeing a complete retreat from the federal government’s historic participation in this critical ecosystem.” “Head Start provides essential educational, health, and developmental services that give children a strong foundation for success,” said Representative Ultrino. “These proposed federal cuts are not only an attack on Head Start, but also a threat to the children and families who rely on these critical services and to the future of early education.” For more than 60 years, Head Start has supported children and families by pairing early education with health care, developmental screenings, mental health supports, nutrition, family supports, and services for children with disabilities. Massachusetts’s 28 Head Start programs provide the highest-quality early education and comprehensive services for more than 10,000 children from birth to age five from vulnerable families across the Commonwealth. On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a “Notice of proposed rulemaking… to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards,” which, reportedly, threatens the work of Head Start. The proposed rulemaking includes “defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies … and to parents as the primary caregivers…” According to offices of the Malden state representatives, “The proposed rule eliminates quality early learning standards; removes standards for critical wraparound services for children and families including health and mental health services; reduces access and eligibility for children from families experiencing homelessness, children with disabilities, and foster children; and threatens learning outcomes for dual language learners. “Rather than addressing the real challenges facing Head Start, including rising operating costs, workforce shortages, and years of inadequate funding, the proposal punishes programs, families, and young children. It hands programs fewer resources and fewer protections at the same time, and it removes many of the evidence-based standards that have justified federal investment in Head Start for generations.” The offices of the Malden state representatives further stated, “With the infrastructure of Head Start’s existing high-quality standards, the data is clear. Research consistently shows that children who participate in Head Start’s quality programming enter kindergarten better prepared; show gains in literacy, math, and social-emotional skills; and benefit for years to come through higher educational attainment, better health, and greater economic stability.”
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