Pacific Clinics’ Head Start program was mentioned in a recent Los Angeles Times article, which laid the framework for the current administration’s plan to potentially defund the program. The 60-year-old program currently provides child care and supportive services such as medical screenings and nutritious food to 800,000 children from low-income families nationwide, about 80,000 of whom receive services in California and 500 of whom receive services from Pacific Clinics. The impact of eliminating the program is dire.
A single parent and Pacific Clinics’ Head Start Teacher Aide Jessica Lepe-Rodriguez, shared her story and how imperative the Head Start program has been for her children. Her children attended the Head Start program, which allowed her to work full-time and provide for them. Without the program, she would be without child care and an income.
Pacific Clinics’ Head Start Comprehensive Services Manager Nina Paddock added, “These are young families fighting so many battles trying to work and find transportation and housing and buy food. They’re up against so much. That’s what keeps me up, but it’s also what keeps me doing it.”
