U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, said he visited the Geminus Head Start program in Gary Thursday because of the uncertainty it faces as President Donald Trump slashes programs to rein in government spending.
When Trump issued an executive order Jan. 27 freezing federal programs, about 57 Head Start programs nationwide couldn’t access their funding grants.
After a spate of lawsuits and confusion, the White House withdrew the order but some nonprofit groups still said they couldn’t access their funding.
Head Start was never a target of the funding freeze, federal officials later said.
Head Start Geminus Vice President of Early Childhood Services Karen Carradine said it suffered a “hiccup” but never lost funding.
“In January, we got a little bit of a scare,” she said when funding appeared to disappear. By Feb. 1, though, the program had received its full grant award.
She said Head Start programs, which serve children in low-income families from birth to age 5, receive reimbursable grants twice a year.
“That’s why today is so important, we want to talk to our policymakers,” said Carradine, a Head Start alum.
The program is the largest in Indiana.
Last year, Geminus Head Start served 1,672 children in Lake and Porter counties, including 1,123 preschoolers — nearly 10% of the area’s preschool-age population. It also opened a new Porter County Early Learning Academy at 370 W. U.S. 6 near South Haven.
Officials said more than 90% of students enter kindergarten ready to learn, exceeding the national average of 64% for 3-to-5-year-olds.
Success, however, is no guarantee for survival in Trump’s administration which has gutted departments and laid off thousands of federal employees from scientists at the National Institutes of Health to rangers at the National Park Service.
Mrvan, who sang songs with children along with Gary Mayor Eddie Melton at the St. Mark Early Learning Academy, voiced support for the continuation of the program begun 60 years ago by President Lyndon Johnson. His Democratic party, however, is in the minority in both chambers of Congress.
After his tour of classrooms, Mrvan said he’s “able to see hope in young children’s eyes.
“I want to make sure that the parents and those that may think they don’t have a voice know we will collectively stand up for young children…” Mrvan said.
The reason for Trump’s torrid push to cut the federal workforce is “to get to the goal for tax cuts for major corporations,” he said.
Mrvan, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said Head Start is a bipartisan program important to rural communities, as well as urban ones. As the committee begins to craft the federal budget, Mrvan said Head Start should be a priority.
Melton said every dollar invested in Head Start translates into a $13 return on investment. Many graduates have higher lifetime earnings and are less dependent on public assistance.
“For a city like Gary, this impact cannot be overstated. We know the success of our children directly influences the success of our city.”
Education programs like Head Start help build a strong community, Melton said. “It breaks cycles held by too many families for too long.”
Carradine said Head Start is often misconstrued as a daycare center for toddlers. She said its curriculum is evidence-based and aligned with Indiana standards.
“They are essential learning centers that provide a stable, nurturing environment where young minds can grow and thrive,” she said. “The impact of Head Start and Early Head Start is profound and far-reaching, and it is imperative that we recognize and support their value.”
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
