#HeadStartStrong: Head Start Kids Grown Up, Strong and Successful

#HeadStartStrong: Head Start Kids Grown Up, Strong and Successful

September 29, 2016

By: Judy Sarasohn, HHS (Public Affairs)

What does Xyus, the 17-month-old son of a Northern Virginian single mom, have in common with Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation? Or Bonnie St. John, a Paralympic skier? Or U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez?

They’re all Head Start kids.

While Xyus hasn’t made his mark on the world yet, he is participating in the nation’s preeminent public early childhood education initiative at a special time. The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced new standards to improve and strengthen Head Start, based on the best research and on what HHS has learned over the 51 years of the program’s existence.

These new standards will help ensure that Xyus and every Head Start kid can access high-quality, comprehensive early education, making sure the American Dream is within their reach.

In recognition of this first comprehensive revision of Head Start performance standards since 1975, Darren Walker, Bonnie St. John, Rep. Loretta Sanchez and other Head Start graduates agreed to share their stories:

READ MORE: #HeadStartStrong: Head Start Kids Grown Up, Strong and Successful