COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE SHENG THAO’S STATEMENT ON THE REVERSAL OF HEAD START CUTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 7th 2021
Press Contact:
Brandon Harami, Council Aide
bharami@Oaklanca.gov
OAKLAND CA - Oakland City Council President Pro Tempore Sheng Thao released the following statement after the passage of a Resolution directing the City Administration to fund Head Start:
“Early childhood education programs like Head Start have been vital to thousands of Oakland parents. While I was a single mother putting myself through college I depended on this program to ensure my child had a safe and nourishing environment while I was working or in class. This is why when I discovered the City lost millions in Head Start funding I worked with President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan, and Councilmember Carroll Fife to identify additional funding to save the program.
“As officials in Congress and the State Legislature work to create universal child care, our administration is cutting public education and threatening to lay off educators. This action does not align with Oakland’s goals to provide equitable services to often overlooked families. This failure speaks to the need for stronger oversight of our family-serving programs and why I proposed the Department of Children, Youth, and Families last spring. We need stronger leadership over our educational programming and one that is focused on uplifting our families.
“This Council directive will help correct the course of the City Administration and I look forward to working with my colleagues and staff to reverse proposed cuts and expand our capacity to support Oakland’s families, youth, and educators.”
- View Legislative Report Here
- Read the Legislation Here
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