Officials with Head Start are urging residents to reach out to their federal elected officials this week after receiving news that applications for the 2025-26 program year have been paused.

Head Start board member and United Way of West Central Mississippi Executive Director Michele Connelly said the recent announcement affects both Early Head Start and Head Start programs.

“As a member of the Mississippi Head Start Board, I received an official communication on April 12, 2025, notifying us that all current grantees undergoing the Designation Renewal System (DRS) — approximately 49 programs nationwide — have been instructed to pause the acceptance of applications for the 2025–2026 program year,” Connelly explained.  Connelly said the changes in funding will reduce the number of families who have access to the programs. In Warren County, Head Start serves 144 children by providing comprehensive, individualized services in education and early childhood development, medical, dental, and mental health care, nutrition, and parental engagement.

On the state level, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) is working to bridge the gap left by supplemental funding available during the COVID pandemic. 

“MDHS has relied on federal COVID-19 relief funding to support the child care sector, allowing for the issuance of Child Care Strong grants, the creation of statewide teacher substitute pool, bonus payments to child care staff, and an unprecedented increase in the number of child care certificates issued to qualifying families. These measures allowed more families than ever before to access high quality childcare, a lifeline for working parents and those in need.”

“With the ending of the COVID-19 relief funding, MDHS will be forced to reduce the number of families and children they can serve,” she said. “While the state will continue providing childcare assistance to families in certain categories, many working families, including those with incomes above the federal poverty line but still below what it takes to make ends meet, will lose access to these vital services.”

Connelly said board members are urging the public to write to lawmakers, advocating for families reliant on the services.

“On Wednesday, April 2, MDHS hosted a well-attended town hall meeting, drawing over 400 participants,” she said. “During this gathering, MDHS outlined the strategic steps of the ongoing transition, while also providing an opportunity for attendees to engage directly through questions and dialogue. Dr. Toni Lowe, Dr. Susie Calbert and I collaborated in organizing a local town hall meeting, with the aim of offering our community the chance to voice their concerns to state elected officials.

“Throughout both sessions, we were strongly encouraged to convey to our elected representatives the critical importance of maintaining access to high-quality early education, particularly for working families. I urge you to take an active role in advocacy and to rally your families, early education centers, and local businesses to do the same.”

For a copy of sample letters for both federal and state lawmakers, links to a petition and information for elected officials representing Vicksburg and Warren County, Connelly said calls may be made to United Way of West Central Mississippi at 601-636-1733 or visit https://www.unitedwayvicksburg.org/resources.