ICYMI: Child Care for Every Family Network Partners Join ACLU Lawsuit Against Trump for Dismantling Head Start

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, Child Care for Every Family Network partner organizations – Family Forward Oregon and Parent Voices Oakland – joined an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit against the Trump administration for its efforts to dismantle the Head Start program. Earlier this month, the Trump administration instituted mass firings at the Office of Child Care and Head Start. The firings included completely shuttering five of the twelve regional Head Start offices, which helped 22 states, 6 territories, and 467 Tribal governments implement their Head Start programs.

Andrea Paluso and Erica Gallegos, Co-Executive Directors of the Child Care for Every Family Network, released the following statement: 

“Families and child care providers across the country are fighting back against the Trump administration’s cruel attempts to destroy Head Start.  Nearly 800,000 kids and their families rely on Head Start, and cuts would disproportionately impact families of color, families in rural communities, children with disabilities, and people who receive low or no wages for their work. It’s an appalling attack on these communities. We won’t allow Trump and his lackeys to destroy this program so they can spend more money on tax cuts for the ultra wealthy. We stand with our Network partner organizations, Family Forward Oregon and Parent Voices Oakland, as they take this fight to court.”

Read more about the ACLU’s lawsuit below:

New York Times: Trump Plan to Dismantle Head Start Is Illegal, Lawsuit Argues

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have sued the Trump administration over what they say is a plan to illegally dismantle Head Start, the federal program that funds early education for America’s youngest and poorest children.

Chicago Tribune: Head Start groups sue Trump administration over efforts to ‘dismantle’ early childhood development program

A lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to “dismantle” Head Start programs in Illinois and across the country has been filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Head Start groups, arguing the federal actions are unconstitutional and have left Head Start operators in a position where they “do not know whether they will suddenly be forced to close in a day, a week or a month.”

Los Angeles Times: ACLU sues to halt Trump administration attacks on Head Start child-care program

The American Civil Liberties Union, on behalf of six early childhood organizations, including one in California, sued the Trump administration Monday to halt the dismantling of Head Start and restore cuts to the program, alleging that the actions required congressional approval.

Scripps News: Head Start groups sue Trump admin over proposed cuts to child care program

A coalition of parents and education providers have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over its proposed cuts to the federally-funded Head Start program providing free services to hundreds of thousands of children from low-income families.

Scary Mommy: ACLU Sues Trump Administration For Funding Disruptions To Head Start Child-Care Program

Clarissa Doutherd, executive director of Parent Voices Oakland, said eliminating Head Start would bring many families to a breaking point. “We’re seeing families struggle paycheck to paycheck trying to establish a better future for their children, and those dreams are slipping through their fingers,” Doutherd said. “It’s critical — this comprehensive support system that helps families thrive by providing education, health and workforce development opportunities.”

Seattle Times: WA Head Start advocates sue Trump

The Trump administration is violating the law by delaying funds to Head Start programs, shedding federal workers and instituting vague policies barring diversity, equity and inclusion, parents and early childhood education advocates allege in a new lawsuit.

Oregon Public Broadcasting: Oregon joins Washington, other states in lawsuit fighting Trump administration over Head Start cuts

Candice Vickers is a mother of two, a former Head Start participant herself, and the executive director of Family Forward Oregon. She described Trump’s actions as short-sighted and unlawful. “In Oregon, we believe in caring for each other. Head Start is a lifeline that gives children and families, including Black, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Latinx, and immigrant children and families, a fair opportunity to work towards a better life,” Vickers said.

KUOW: Washington ACLU sues Trump administration over attempts to dismantle free Head Start preschool program

The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration has defied congressional mandates to maintain Head Start services nationwide by cutting staff, freezing funding, and issuing “vague policies” related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility “that ban core Head Start programming.”

King 5: ACLU of Washington sues Trump administration over efforts to eliminate Head Start

The ACLU argued that cutting funding and slashing staff for the program has left children, especially those in low-income families, without support. The program served about 33,000 families in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Pa. among states suing Trump administration over funding cuts to Head Start

Some Head Start centers are already reeling from recent federal funding cuts. The program has received nearly $1 billion less this year nationwide compared with the same period in 2024, according to federal data.

Axios Seattle: Seattle joins lawsuit to save Head Start

Washington’s Head Start programs have joined a lawsuit against the federal government over potential cuts to the early childhood education program that serves thousands of low-income families.

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The Child Care for Every Family Network is the national movement and campaign to transform child care, representing 1,500+ child care providers, impacted families, state and national organizations, and organizers across the country. Learn more: childcareforeveryfamily.org.