Preliminary Injunction Order in Washington State Association of Head Start and Early Childhood Assistance and Education Program et al. v. Robert F. Kennedy et al.

SEATTLE – A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s attacks on Head Start, halting the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) ban on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, as well as mass office closures and layoffs at the Office of Head Start. These administrative actions had disrupted programs nationwide and hindered their ability to fulfil their mission of providing early education and care to young children from low-income families. “This is a huge victory for kids!” said Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington State Head Start & Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program. “When a Head Start program has their funding withheld because of their efforts to provide effective education to children with autism, serve tribal members on a reservation, or treat all families with respect, it is an attack on the fundamental promise of the Head Start program – that even children who are furthest away from opportunity should be given the early education they need to succeed in school. Today’s decision puts a stop to this attack and allows us to focus on what matters most – supporting children and families.” The ruling follows a previous preliminary injunction, which blocked a directive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to shut out some immigrant families from participating in Head Start based on their immigration status. In April, the American Civil Liberties Union’s Women’s Rights Project, the ACLU of Washington, the ACLU of Illinois, the Impact Fund and co-counsel filed a lawsuit on behalf of Parent Voices Oakland, Family Forward Oregon, and the Head Start Associations of Washington state, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The lawsuit asks the court to stop the administration from gutting Head Start, enforcing its unconstitutional ban on programs that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and shutting out families and children from Head Start based on immigration status. Below are statements from plaintiffs and litigators: “No matter who they are or where they’re from, kids deserve the chance to succeed. Today’s decision ensures that Head Start providers can provide early education to children from diverse communities and backgrounds without the constant threat of being punished simply for following the requirements of the law,” said Jennie Mauer, executive director of the Wisconsin Head Start Association. “No provider should fear being shut down for providing disability-related services or language access – and no child should be deprived of critical services because of an unlawful and cruel directive.” “Head Start is essential to hundreds of thousands of low-income parents and caregivers being able to work, get an education, and provide for themselves and their families,” said Isabelle Mussard, interim executive director for Parent Voices Oakland. “The Head Start Act’s requirement to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services means that all parents can be involved and engaged in their children’s learning. We are thrilled that today’s decision stops the administration from denying entire communities access to Head Start.” “Head Start providers work tirelessly each day to foster inclusive and supportive classrooms where every child – no matter their background – can learn, grow, and get ready for school. This decision makes clear that the Trump administration cannot continue its unlawful attacks on Head Start at the expense of children and families who rely on it most,” said Linda Morris, senior staff attorney at the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project. “We will continue to fight for every Head Start family to ensure they have access to the education and care they need.” “This injunction protects access to education and opportunity for the most marginalized communities across the country,” said Brent Low, staff attorney at the ACLU of Washington. “It allows Head Start to continue its critical mission to serve young children and their families through programs that respond to the needs of the communities they serve.” “The vision of the Head Start Program – and the text of the legislation passed by Congress to authorize the program – specifically called on local programs to serve their entire community,” said Allison Siebeneck, director of the Women’s and Reproductive Rights Project at the ACLU of Illinois. “Congress has consistently voted to fund programs that advance equity, inclusion and accessibility to educational opportunities for people from diverse communities. The injunction issued in this case simply says that the Administration cannot wipe away this promise and specific text with their edicts.” “Congress established the Head Start program to ensure that every child has access to education during this crucial time in their lives,” said Lori Rifkin, litigation director at the Impact Fund. “In striking down these illegal actions by the Trump Administration, the Court upheld the rule of law and protected the ability of Head Start agencies to effectively provide services to hundreds of thousands of children across the country.” You can find the ruling here.

The Trump Administration is threatening the future of Head Start – a program that has provided critical and evidence-based services—from education to childcare— to more than 40 million children and their families. The Administration by gutting Head Start staff and resources, delaying funding, and prohibiting activities that “advance or promote” “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility,” is irreparably harming the young children and low-income families who rely on Head Start.