In late summer 2021, Parent Voices Oakland learned that funding cuts to the City of Oakland’s Head Start program would cause the closure of 3 sites, the loss of 100 child care slots. We sprung into action and in coalition with Anti Police-Terror Project, ACCE, SEIU Local 1021, and IFPTE Local 21, and the Oakland Progressive Alliance collaborated with Councilmember Carroll Fife, Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan, and Councilmember Sheng Thao to write a budget resolution to restore the funding. Oakland City Council passed the resolution unanimously, securing $1.86 million to keep the sites open. Click here for KTVU coverage.
We will continue this fight! Oakland Head Start is suffering from years of disinvestment. We want to see a robust program that serves communities with the deepest need. The future of Head Start must be shaped by all parents and workers directly impacted.
