Evers joins other US governors in defense of Head Start funding

Gov. Tony Evers and a coalition of 15 other governors from states and territories across the nation sent a joint letter to members of the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, urging them to defend funding for Head Start programs. The programs offer early learning, health and family support services to over 800,000 children nationwide. 

The coalition’s letter comes as the Trump Administration has threatened to eliminate funding for Head Start programs in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 federal budget, and Head Start programs across the state are already dealing with financial challenges from federal funding freezes, loss of regional offices and delayed funding awards.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, approximately one in 10 providers in Wisconsin’s 47 rural counties are Head Start programs.

A copy of the governor’s letter to the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Appropriations is available here.