NYC's regional Head Start office shuttered as part of Trump's health cuts

Yahoo

06-04-2025

NEW YORK — The federal Head Start outpost in New York City has been shuttered and staff laid off as part of the Trump administration's recent health department cuts — worrying preschool leaders about the future of child care for families in poverty.
On Tuesday, providers learned that half of the agency's regional offices were closed effective immediately, including the headquarters in New York. Staff based in lower Manhattan were responsible for oversight and guidance for programs statewide and in New Jersey.
Federal health officials insisted that consolidating the offices will not affect services while saving taxpayers money. But operators fear the loss of support could have a very tangible effect on their programs.
Angela Terry, executive director of the Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center, which enrolls 247 children through Head Start, was scheduled to connect with a regional office staffer on the day of the layoffs — only to find she was unable to join the Zoom meeting. The specialist told her she was affected by the federal government's reduction in force.
It was not the first time Head Start programs have been caught in the crossfires of federal changes under President Donald Trump. In January, his administration announced a blanket freeze on federal funding. The White House quickly clarified that Head Start was exempt, but programs reported being unable to access funds and the consequences of much uncertainty.
'It's not easy. It really isn't,' Terry said. 'We all continue to move forward day to day, but we know we have this all looming, we have to talk about it. We have to say, 'What do we do next?' And, 'how do we continue to serve?''
Head Start launched six decades ago as a federal anti-poverty program, supporting children's early development while allowing their parents to go to work. A family of four may qualify for Head Start if they have a joint income under $41,795 or are receiving cash assistance or SNAP. Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center is the oldest Head Start provider in the northeast, Terry said.
Regional staffers serve a variety of functions. Some visit preschools in person to offer curriculum support and professional development. Others hold regular meetings to go over enrollment and waitlists. Another position is geared toward helping operators apply for or renew Head Start grants, and manage program budgets.
'This move threatens access to child care and undermines programs essential to young children's development,' said Susan Stamler, executive director of the United Neighborhood Houses, a membership organization that includes Head Start grant recipients.
After days of confusion, a top health official in early childhood development, Laurie Todd-Smith, wrote in a letter Thursday that 10 regional offices would be restructured into five — a move they said would not affect services. The office based in New York was closed alongside others in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle.
Providers interviewed by The New York Daily News confirmed they have connected in recent days with specialists who replaced their regional staffers.
In a statement to the Daily News, the federal agency stood firm that the layoffs were limited only to redundant or unnecessary administrative positions, and involved moving out of the highest-cost cities.
'All statutorily required programs will remain intact, and as a result of the reorganization, will be better positioned to execute on Congress's statutory intent,' said Vianca Rodriguez Feliciano, press secretary for the U.S. Health Department. 'We remain committed to providing continued support to Head Start programs as they work to meet the needs of their communities.'
Less than 1% of Head Start's annual funding is spent on federal staff, including regional office staff, according to the National Head Start Association. The conservative blueprint known as Project 2025 called for the elimination of Head Start altogether.
Head Start operators are emphatic — their programs are worth the investment.
'These are complicated programs to run, and the work that we do we think is super meaningful and impactful,' said Ken Jockers, the executive director of Hudson Guild, a social services organization with multiple sites across the west side of Manhattan that operates Head Start programs.
'A big part of what makes that possible is the skilled, smart support that we get that understands our region and our challenges.'