Erikson Institute Statement on Head Start Changes: Holding Fast to the Light

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CHICAGO, May 2, 2025 — At Erikson Institute, we were founded on a promise: 

That the lives of young children matter—profoundly, urgently, eternally.
That in the smallest among us burns the brightest hope for our collective future.
That education, care, and dignity are not privileges to be rationed, but rights to be fiercely protected. 

Head Start was born of the same dream.
It recognized that when we honor the full humanity of every child and family, we do more than transform individual lives—we weave a stronger, more just society. 

Today, that dream is under threat.
Recent changes to Head Start risk shrinking opportunities, silencing family voices, and dimming the brilliance that lives in every child. In a moment that demands bold investment in justice and joy, retrenchment is not an option. 

At Erikson, we answer with action—and with hope.
Through our work in early childhood teacher education, child development, infant and early childhood mental health, and early intervention, we prepare educators to recognize the genius, cultures, languages, and infinite promise of every child. We work so that no child’s light will be dimmed by policy or prejudice. We work so that the future will shine brighter because of what we choose to do today. 

We call upon leaders, communities, and all who believe in the boundless worth of children to stand with us.
To resist policies that close doors and sever dreams.
To invest deeply in justice, belonging, and possibility.
To remember that our highest calling is not caution—but courage. 

The children are watching.
The seeds of tomorrow are already taking root.
May we meet this moment with hearts wide open, hands joined in purpose, and a steadfast devotion to a future where every child’s light is seen, nurtured, and celebrated. 

At Erikson Institute, we are—and always will be—keepers of that light. 

We urge all who care about children’s futures to act now: 

Contact your elected officials. Demand that they protect and expand Head Start, invest in early childhood education, and uphold the rights and dignity of every young child and family. 

Together, we can—and must—build a future worthy of their brilliance.