James M. Jeffords: “I am pleased to rise in support of the Human Services Reauthorization bill. This legislation reauthorizes many important…”

“I am pleased to rise in support of the Human Services Reauthorization bill. This legislation reauthorizes many important Federal programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program [LIHEAP], the Community Services Block Grant [CSBG], and Head Start. With respect to Head Start, I am pleased that the President has recommended a $700 million increase for Head Start for the coming fiscal year. Since its creation, Head Start has served 13 million children and has been an important tool in helping at-risk children and their families. However, despite this proposed increase and increases in years past, we are still far from serving all eligible children. Today, less than 40 percent of all children eligible to participate in Head Start do so. If we are to meet the goals that we established in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act--especially Goal One which states that by the year 2000, all children will start school ready to learn-- we must direct more of our efforts to the youngest, most vulnerable members of society. In my mind, this means expanding Head Start. This bill will help to expand Head Start services to more kids, while assuring that kids who are enrolled receive the highest quality services possible. It will help grantees better respond to the changing needs of individual communities and working families. It strengthens parental involvement in local Head Start programs and works to make the transition to school easier.”