David Durenberger: “All five of these initiatives are program models other than the traditional full-day, part-day, or home-based models…”

“All five of these initiatives are program models other than the traditional full-day, part-day, or home-based models used by most Head Start agencies. All five meet or exceed Head Start's performance standards. And, all five are designed to help meet the changing needs of today's Head Start families. In each case, however, the directors of these initiatives expressed serious concerns that they will not be allowed to continue or replicate these highly innovative programs. Reasons for that concern range from uncertainty about future funding availability to bureaucratic resistance. Madam President, there is no question that Head Start is serving a different and more complex set of family needs today than were being served when the program was established 25 years ago. Beyond the increased stress placed on all families in the 1990's, the most dramatic changes is the need that many Head Start families now have full- or part-time child care outside the half-day, school year program traditionally offered by most Head Start agencies.”