# data[].attributes.body
During the early to mid 1900s, child care was referred to as “Day Nursery” or “Day Care” and was used to care for children of low income families while their parents worked or looked for work. The primary purpose of this was to protect children from harm they might suffer if left unsupervised while their mothers worked.

# data[].attributes.body
During the Second World War, women were needed to work while men served the country. This created a need for child care. Congress passed the “Defense Housing and Community Facilities and Services Act” of 1940. This provided government-funded child care for up to six days a week.

# data[].attributes.body
In 1965, the US government launched the child development program “The National HeadStart Association”. For more than half a century, Congress has continually renewed the program to service millions of families.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We envision a future where:

The Head Start voice is powerful and united;

The Head Start field is a valued partner and resource to early childhood development and education;

There is nonpartisan support for increased federal commitment to Head Start; and

Our children are healthier, our families empowered, our communities stronger and more vibrant.

Your voice. Our collective impact.

NHSA is the central association for the Head Start workforce and serves as the national voice for early childhood education and leadership on Capitol Hill.

Since 1974, the work of NHSA-with and on behalf of the Head Start field-is varied and far-reaching. When sequestration cut 57,000 Head Start slots and threatened to remove even more children from their programs, NHSA worked with Congress to restore all Head Start's funds. When the federal government shut down, NHSA raised $4 million in emergency philanthropic funding so imapcted programs could continue serving children and families.

We Stand Together

Becoming an NHSA member connects you with a movement. Beyond advocacy in Washington, D.C., NHSA engages Head Start alumni, parents, and champions across the country to tell the Head Start story. Whatever Head Start is to you, there's a place at NHSA to make a difference. Find the one that's right for you.

BECOME A MEMBER
Together we can move mountains for Head Start children, families, and communities.

JOIN THE ALUMNI NETWORK
Head Start graduates are living proof points of the transformative impact of Head Start.

LEARN WITH US
NHSA offers the most comprehensiveprofessional development program focussed explicitly on Head Start and Early Head Start. The Academy at NHSA, alongside our national conferences and policy institutes, provide training to more than 6,000 staff, parents and teachers each year.

EXPLORE, READ, SHARE
NHSA produces a large volume of material in support of the Head Start community, including coverage of the latest in federal and state policy developments, effective practice, and research.

JOIN A CAMPAIGN
Get involved in one of NHSA's initiatives dedicated to our advancing Head Start's core issues.

SUPPORT NHSA
Dollar per Child is NHSA's annual campaign that helps us ensure millions of children and families are represented in Washington, D.C. You can alsodonate to our other campaigns.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NHSA's vision is to be the untiring voice that will not be quiet until every income-eligible child can access the Head Start model of support.

# data[].attributes.body
During the 70’s, more and more women were entering the workforce. In 1971, Senator Walter Mondale introduced the Comprehensive Child Development Act, a bill that would provide care for all US children. Unfortunately, in 1972, president Nixon vetoed the bill.

# data[].attributes.body
During the 1980s, the need for child care grew, as baby boomers were having children of their own. Despite the need for care, finding quality child care was scarce.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
What is CCDBG? - Alliance for Early Success

# data[].attributes.body
The 90s proved the beginning of change in early childcare in the US. Congress enacted the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which helped provide subsidized child care to low and middle income families. Research studies in the 90s showed an emphasis on the developmental needs of young children, which resulted in Early Ed programs realizing the need to provide enrichment activities to students.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is CCDBG? - Alliance for Early Success

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Child Care and Development Block Grant, or CCDBG, is a 30-year-old funding stream for states that allows them to help low-income, working families afford child care, while supporting children’s learning and development (from birth through age 12). Popular on both sides of the aisle and given a record funding infusion in 2018 with bipartisan support from Congress and President Donald Trump, CCBDG is a key tool for states in supporting child development and improving families’ economic security.

# data[].attributes.body
During the 2000’s, child care providers began focusing on the educational development of young children. Areas like cognitive, language, and social development were focuses in child care settings. Campaigns were launched to avoid SIDS in childcare setting. Military child care was also started to support parents of active military.

# data[].attributes.body
In 2013, while families are still struggling with the cost of childcare, President Obama launched the Preschool for All Initiative, calling on Congress to make high quality preschool more accessible to every child in America. Unfortunately, the initiative never got far in legislation. In 2019, the world, including childcare changed when COVID-19 took over.

# data[].attributes.body
By the spring of 2020, childcare centers were being forced to close due to the pandemic. Some centers were open to only care for essential workers children. When centers opened back up, they faced substantial decreases in enrollment, as well as staffing. Funding from national and state agencies helped provide support to childcare centers, however, many child care centers, as well as home based childcare did not have the enrollment or staff to continue serving our children. Those who are still open are still struggling to hire and keep qualified staff, which makes it hard to keep enrollment up.