For almost 50 years, SETA has been serving Sacramento County. One of the major programs SETA has been assisting low-income children and families through is its Head Start program. SETA’s Head Start program has been serving children and families for 43 years. With growing concerns about Head Start potentially being cut from the federal budget, parents express their distress about what would happen if the program were to be unavailable. Jackie, a dedicated parent, shares her heartfelt experience with Head Start and how it has been a lifeline for her children.
Jackie is a mother of three young children, two of whom have been attending Head Start for a few years. Her journey with Head Start began when her daughter was just 18 months old, and she has seen remarkable growth and development in each of her children since then.
From the beginning, SETA’s Head Start program provided her children with a nurturing environment that supported their early development. Jackie recalls, “Mercy has been here since she was 3-years old and she will be going into kindergarten. Hope has been coming here since she was 18-months and she is now in the 3-year old class. And since I was enrolled in pregnant mother services, Elijah will be enrolled in Head Start soon.”
Head Start offers more than just educational services. Jackie emphasizes the holistic support provided by the program, including nutritional guidance and health services for pregnant mothers. “They go over what’s healthy for you and the baby. [Staff] go over what’s best for you as far as the environment and foods to stay away from, ” explains Jackie. Head Start also offers different program options, such as home-based and center-based options. “I had a [staff member] come over to my house, and she went over diet, referrals, and what the program can give me regarding my breastfeeding journey. So, they offer lactation help and the extra support for me when I need it.”
Jackie explains how SETA Head Start has been able to schedule check-ins with her much faster than if she were to go to her doctor. Jackie says, “I literally met with a home-based visitor just this morning. Medically, I can’t get an appointment until the end of next week for lactation support, and my recently born son is already three weeks old. So he would be a month by the time I got help.” She continues, “This program has definitely helped me, especially this morning, as opposed to me not having received any kind of help from my medical provider because they can’t get me in soon enough.”
Jackie’s second daughter was born with a congenital heart defect, and Head Start played a crucial role in her early development. Jackie shares, “She came here not eating well, she came here not active, and they were worried about her social skills, her motor skills, they were worried about everything.”
Despite the initial challenges, Jackie’s daughter has flourished in the Head Start program. “And now she is blooming, she is accelerating, and she loves coming here, and to take that from her, it would affect all of us,” she says.
Jackie explains how Head Start is a financial necessity. “Not only would I have to pay my mother, who would need financial assistance [to watch the children], but I’d have to compensate her somehow. I can’t expect her to drop her job. I would have to rely on other people, which I have never had to because of Head Start. This place gives a sense of security for me and my children.”
When asked if Jackie would be able to afford a private preschool, she explains she cannot. “It’s not in my budget at all. I do everything basically on my own.”
Jackie is astonished by how much her second daughter has learned from Head Start. “My daughter can write numbers, spell her name, and recite Brown Bear Brown Bear on her own. She’s even picked up some sign language!” She continues, “This place and the staff – they go above and beyond and love your children. They make you feel safe and secure to leave them here.”
Jackie was dismayed when she learned Head Start could be cut. “I didn’t think I would be here thinking this. I didn’t think this would ever happen or even should be an option. I shouldn’t have to be worried. This program has helped my kids. And I think you have to look at the bigger picture of how much this program is affecting children and helping parents who are trying to work and trying to do better for their families.”
Jackie’s testimonial highlights the critical role Head Start plays in supporting families and fostering early childhood development. Her story is a powerful reminder of why this program must continue to receive the necessary support and funding.
