(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator
Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a letter to her colleagues in the Senate to highlight
a recent report showing a dramatic increase in the number of homeless students
in Head Start and Early Head Start. The Office of Head Start estimates that
since 2008, the number of homeless children enrolled in these programs has
increased by 40%, to 40,423. Murray urged her colleagues to protect this
critical investment that provides support for so many of our nation’s most
vulnerable children.
“Since the beginning of the recession in 2008, there
has been an estimated 40 percent increase in the number of homeless children
enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs,” Senator Murray
wrote in her letter to Senate colleagues. “I hope you find this information useful as the Senate
continues to debate funding levels for future appropriations bills, and I urge
you to support critical investments like Head Start that support our nation’s
most at-risk children.”
See State-by-state data on increases in homeless. (Washington state data broken down by
region available upon request.)
The full text of Senator Murray’s letter follows:
April 5, 2011
Dear Colleague:
I am writing to you to
draw your attention to an important matter that has recently come to my
attention – since the beginning of the recession in 2008, there has been an
estimated 40 percent increase in the number of homeless children enrolled in
Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Startling data recently released from
the Office of Head Start shows that 40,423 homeless children are currently
enrolled in Head Start programs across our country. We know many more young
children experience homelessness, and unfortunately, many children who are
eligible are not able to benefit from Head Start services due to current
funding levels.
Last year, 52 percent of
all children living in homeless shelters funded by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development were under the age of 6. According to research compiled
by the Family Housing Fund, homeless families and children face challenges that
go beyond those of other low-income families. Homeless families often have
little access to health and dental care, leading to lower vaccination rates and
physical health issues, and they often lack access to adequate nutrition.
Furthermore, homeless preschool children are more likely to experience
developmental delays as well as social and behavioral problems, which make them
less prepared to enter kindergarten than their peers. Homeless children
experience high levels of stress, trauma, and mobility, leading to an increased
incidence of mental health disorders. And despite all the serious challenges
they face, homeless preschoolers are actually less
likely than their housed peers to receive important services to help them
overcome these challenges.
Head Start and Early Head
Start programs provide crucial stability for homeless children, while providing
them with the resources needed to improve their situation. Families involved in
Head Start are often able to move into housing more quickly, and in the
meantime, children are in a nurturing environment, receiving the nutrition,
education, and health interventions they need to be prepared to succeed in
kindergarten.
Attached, please find
information about the number and percentage of homeless children being served
by Head Start programs in your state. I hope you find this information useful
as the Senate continues to debate funding levels for future appropriations
bills, and I urge you to support critical investments like Head Start that
support our nation’s most at-risk children.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
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