High Country Times

Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg expressed his concerns following a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlighting significant negligence and oversight failures in Head Start programs.

In his statement, Chairman Walberg said, “I am incredibly disturbed by the shocking details of this report. Head Start programs are supposed to provide support to our country’s neediest children – instead, we continue to find that Head Start programs endanger the safety and wellbeing of the children for which these programs are meant to help. These programs continue to suck up millions in taxpayer funding without serious accountability or oversight. We have an obligation to protect these children and end this gross negligence immediately." He further emphasized, "Our children deserve opportunities to thrive and grow in a safe, responsible environment.”

The GAO's report titled “Action Needed to Reduce Potential Risks to Children and Federal Funds in Programs under Interim Management” reveals troubling issues within the Office of Head Start (OHS), which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The report indicates OHS has failed in its efforts to monitor taxpayer funding effectively.

Key findings from the GAO report include OHS losing track of injuries, abuse incidents, and child safety concerns within Head Start programs. Additionally, there is no monitoring of classroom materials' quality or content in programs under interim management. The GAO also noted that OHS does not oversee how grants are spent or managed by these programs.

Head Start initiatives are designed to assist children in need but face criticism due to these recent findings.