Head Start Recognizes Rep. Wild as Congressional Champion for Children and Families

WASHINGTON – This morning, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) was recognized by the National Head Start Association with the 2020 Head Start Pledge Award for demonstrating a steadfast commitment to serving America’s most vulnerable children and families.

“Head Start plays an indispensable role for families across my community, and the benefits of its programs ripple across every aspect of our society,” Wild said. “We see the benefits in better health outcomes, in higher graduation rates, in lower arrest rates, in higher rates of academic and professional success, and in lower rates of substance abuse issues. All these positive effects are why I’m committed to using my voice and my vote to keep investing in Head Start, because, when we do, we invest in our children and in our country. Putting early learning in reach for every family can, and must, be a national priority.”

“Head Start children and families are grateful for Rep. Wild’s support and thank her for keeping the commitment to Head Start in both her words and her deeds,” said NHSA’s Executive Director Yasmina Vinci. “For 55 years, Head Start has been partnering with vulnerable children and families on their paths to success, and our impact would not be possible without the steadfast support of our long-standing allies in Congress.” 

Wild was honored with the Pledge Award for her:

• Work on the House Committee on Education and Labor to help children and families
• Leadership among freshmen members to build support for Head Start
• Attentiveness to and acknowledgement of the importance of early childhood education

Across Pennsylvania, only 27 percent of eligible children are able to get a slot in a Head Start program, which is designed to promote school readiness of children under five from low-income families through education, health, social and other services. To see quality learning centers in action and hear from community experts on how Congress can best support early childhood education for children of all income levels, Wild and House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) visited the Resurrected Life Children’s Academy and the Kiddie City Early Learning center in September. Wild and Scott were joined by Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera, and community leaders in early childhood education for the “Elevate: Early Learning for Every Child” roundtable to discuss the promise and challenges of delivering quality early education and child care for all children in the Greater Lehigh Valley. The conversation focused on identifying legislative solutions on both the state and federal levels to help increase preschool availability and affordable child care options.

Wild received the Pledge Award during the annual Head Start Breakfast in Washington, DC, where Congressional champions addressed Head Start parents, alumni, and other supporters who were on Capitol Hill to advocate for the early childhood development program with members of Congress and their staff.

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