L.A. area Congressmembers Jimmy Gomez, Laura Friedman and Norma Torres recently toured Head Start classrooms in celebration of the Head Start program’s 60th birthday. Each representative visited classrooms in their respective district to read and play with the children, listen to testimonials from parents and converse with educators about the positive impact Head Start makes for children, families and communities.

Since its launch in 1965, Head Start has improved the lives of more than 40 million participating children nationwide and their families. Across L.A. County, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and more than twenty other grant recipients currently serve over 21,000 children and their families each year. As a direct investment in local communities, Head Start provides a springboard to success in school and life, preparing children and families for kindergarten and providing education, health and family support. 

“I’m very grateful to Congressmembers Gomez, Friedman and Torres for taking the time out of their busy schedules to connect with children, families and educators in their districts. Thanks to its proven track record of success in communities all across the country, Head Start has long enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress, and we look forward to that support continuing,” said LACOE’s Head Start Executive Director Luis Bautista.

LACOE collaborates with 17 delegate agencies—including both school districts and nonprofit organizations—to provide Head Start services in specific communities throughout the county. These partners are crucial to program implementation and graciously hosted these visits. Foundation for Early Childhood Education hosted Rep. Jimmy Gomez in Echo Park on January 30; Blind Children’s Center hosted Rep. Laura Friedman in East Hollywood on February 19; and Pomona Unified School District hosted Rep. Norma Torres in Pomona on February 21.

LACOE thanks all members of the L.A. County Congressional delegation for their ongoing support of the children, families, educators and staff in the Head Start program. Congressmembers are welcome to visit and witness the power of the Head Start program in action in the months ahead.

For additional information on LACOE’s Head Start and Early Learning division, please visit prekkid.org.