Raúl Grijalva: “Today I would like to deal with one specific aspect of H.R. 2210 dealing with Head Start and that specific aspect has to…”

“Today I would like to deal with one specific aspect of H.R. 2210 dealing with Head Start and that specific aspect has to do with an effort that this House must undertake to provide true relief to the impoverished children of migrant and seasonal farm working families. Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs successfully provide the infants and children of migrants and seasonal workers in this country with educational and health related services. These services and these support services provided by Migrant and Seasonal Head Start keep children out of the fields where they are exposed to pesticides, hazardous equipment, extreme heat and other related health dangers. Unfortunately, a severe funding shortfall leaves more than 80 percent of these eligible children without these vital services and protection. According to the study published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs serve just 19 percent of eligible migrant and seasonal children. By comparison, the regional Head Start programs serve approximately 60 percent of their eligible population. This shortfall leaves 130,000 children of migrant and seasonal workers and their families out of any opportunity in a Head Start program.”