A Dire Threat to Child Care: Trump Administration’s Budget Proposal Jeopardizes Head Start, PDG, and More

Last week, we learned of a deeply troubling development that threatens the very foundation of early childhood education in this country. News reports revealed that the Trump Administration plans to propose a total elimination of Head Start in its forthcoming Presidential budget. This is not just a policy shift—it’s a wholesale attack on low-income families, particularly those in Mississippi who rely on early care and education programs to support their children’s learning and development.

As detailed in a statement from the Campaign for Children’s Education and Family Needs (CCEFN), the proposal doesn’t stop at Head Start. The Washington Post reported Thursday that the budget proposal will also include:

• Elimination of the Preschool Development Grants (PDG)

• Flat-funding the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which already only serves a fraction of eligible children

• Complete phase-out of the Head Start program

In a state like Mississippi—where child poverty remains among the highest in the nation—this is catastrophic. Head Start programs serve nearly 23,000 children across our state. These are not just numbers. These are babies, toddlers, and preschoolers who rely on Head Start for meals, health screenings, developmental services, and safe, quality early learning environments.

Meanwhile, federal agencies are attempting to pivot. The Office of Child Care (OCC) recently issued an Information Memorandum urging states to expand the types of programs that accept Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers. The memo acknowledges the need for families to choose the care arrangements that best fit their needs—yet without increased funding, this guidance rings hollow. Flat funding of CCDBG means thousands of eligible families will continue to sit on waiting lists in Mississippi and nationwide.

Additionally, the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) released a Dear Colleague Letter highlighting how states may use TANF funds to support child care and after-school programs, including private and faith-based options. While flexibility in funding is valuable, relying on TANF dollars to fill massive gaps left by eliminating foundational programs like Head Start is not a sustainable solution. Mississippi already struggles with transparency and equity in TANF distribution—we cannot let this become another broken promise to working families. In addition, our demand remains that MDHS use TANF dollars to fully fund CCPP to keep our children safe, parents working, providers open, and our economy going.

What We Stand For

At the Mississippi Low-Income Child Care Initiative, we believe that all children deserve access to quality early care and education, regardless of income, ZIP code, or background. We stand with providers, families, and partners across the state and the country in opposing this draconian budget proposal.

We urge our Congressional delegation to reject any attempt to dismantle Head Start, defund PDG, or freeze CCDBG. The consequences would be devastating, especially for Black and Brown children, children in rural communities, and families struggling to make ends meet.

We also call on Mississippi state leaders to:

• Protect and expand access to child care certificates

• Invest TANF funds transparently in high-quality child care options

• Engage families and providers in decision-making about child care resources

Now is not the time to slash support for early education. Now is the time to strengthen our investment in the future of Mississippi’s children.

Want to take action?

• Join our campaign to protect child care funding in Mississippi.

• Contact your U.S. Congressman or U.S. Senator to voice your concerns.