Call Script: Protect Head Start During the Shutdown

Protect Head Start During the Shutdown Call Script

1. Script for Calling Lawmakers (Policy Advocacy) 
Purpose: Urge Congress to protect Head Start funding and end the shutdown. 

Introduction: 
“Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [City/State]. I’m calling on behalf of Save the Children Action Network to urge [Senator/Representative Name] to protect funding for Head Start that is at risk because of the shutdown. Working families can’t afford to lose access to affordable child care and early education. Please support the Senate’s proposed level of funding for Head Start.”

Key Talking Points: 

Use one or two of these points when speaking with or leaving a message for a lawmaker’s office.

Impact on Children and Families 

• Head Start supports over 700,000 children nationwide, offering critical early education, meals, and health screenings. 

• Losing Head Start means children will lose access to nutrition, safety, and stability — all essential for healthy development. 

• Many parents rely on Head Start so they can work — without it, families will face impossible choices. 

Impact on Communities 

• Head Start programs are anchors in local communities, especially rural ones. When they close, teachers lose jobs and families lose reliable care. 

• The ripple effect harms local economies: parents miss work, businesses lose employees, and children lose learning opportunities. 

Economic and Moral Case 

• Investing in Head Start is fiscally smart — every dollar invested returns long-term benefits through stronger educational outcomes and reduced social costs. 

• Head Start has bipartisan support because it works: it lifts families, strengthens communities, and ensures every child gets a fair start. 

Urgency 

• A shutdown would mean real harm — classrooms closed, paychecks stopped, and families left without care. 

Congress must act now to protect funding for Head Start that is at risk during the shutdown before families lose access to vital services. 

Closing: 
“Can we count on [Senator/Representative Name] to protect early learning programs that are at risk because of the shutdown? Thank you for speaking up for kids and families.”