Gov. Beshear: Trump’s Head Start Changes Jeopardize Education and Well-Being of 15,000 Kentucky Children

Governor writes personal letter, joins multistate letter urging President to reconsider

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 7, 2026) - On Tuesday, during Head Start Awareness Month, Gov. Andy Beshear sent a personal letter and signed on to a letter with 24 attorneys general to urge President Donald Trump to reconsider proposed changes to the federal Head Start program that serves 750,000 children across the United States, including 15,000 in Kentucky. The unlawful and harmful changes would cut funding, increase class sizes, weaken curricula, increase hunger and make children less safe.

"Children and families across our commonwealth and country depend on Head Start for early education, meals and vital health screenings, and the Trump administration's proposed changes would have long-term negative impacts for generations to come," said Gov. Beshear. "Data shows the effectiveness of Head Start when it comes to our children, as well as the opportunities it provides to parents and caregivers to rejoin the workforce and boost our economy. I urge the President to continue this proven program rather than jeopardize the progress we've made - and the success yet to come."

Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has helped prepare America's most vulnerable children to succeed in school and in life by delivering services in areas of early learning, health and well-being. Data has shown that children enrolled in the program are more likely to finish high school, enroll in college and earn a degree. In addition to its benefits for children, the program also allows more parents and caregivers to return to work, with nearly 10,000 individuals with children in Kentucky's Head Start program participating in the state's workforce in 2025 alone.

While the Trump administration argues that the proposed changes would "restore flexibility to programs to meet local needs," the sweeping and harmful overhaul will destabilize early childhood education systems that states like Kentucky have developed over 60 years. The federal administration even acknowledges that the adjustments would result in larger class sizes, fewer teachers, shorter program days, and reduced health, dental and mental healthcare. Ultimately, these changes would lead to decreased educational outcomes and harm public health and welfare systems.

Head Start is the most important early childhood program due to the federal government's leadership, expertise and resources. Created and administered decades before most states began supporting and regulating preschool programs, the national Head Start program provides research-based standards that have closed regional gaps in economic, political and social outcomes. Further, Head Start is supported by most Americans, with 87% of all voters stating they are in favor of the program.

"For 60 years, the Head Start Program has changed lives for the better, because it supports our children and hardworking families where they need it most: education, healthcare, food and overall well-being," said the Governor. "These changes will have harmful consequences. I hope the President will reconsider this plan, roll back the changes and put the American people - especially our children - first."

The multistate letter the Governor signed on to also includes the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.

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