The Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation recently celebrated Head Start’s 60th birthday. The early childhood education program launched on May 18, 1965, as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty, and since then, it has served more than 40 million children.
The JFCAC has eight Head Start sites in Jefferson County and four in Franklin County that serve hundreds of area children.
The Head Start birthday celebration on May 17 was part of JFCAC’s Spring Fling that featured games, a petting zoo and other activities for children and their families outside the agency’s Hillsboro office.
“It was a beautiful day, and we had a great turnout,” said Donna Masters, JFCAC’s communications coordinator.
She said the Head Start booth was decorated with birthday balloons and a banner, and staff members gave away a lot of Head Start promotional items.
For JFCAC, the milestone is both a celebration of decades of service and a call to action as the program faces unprecedented funding challenges, Masters said.
She said historically funding has been provided by the Health and Human Services Department and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In addition, the community has provided a 20 percent match to the federal funds provided by the Health and Human Services Bureau.
In April, President Donald Trump’s administration asked Congress to eliminate federal funding for Head Start, but an unnamed source in the administration told USA Today on May 5 that Head Start funding remains in the proposed budget.
“Currently, the federal administration’s proposed 2026 fiscal year budget has not yet been released but could affect federal funding for Head Start, a move that would impact over 750,000 children nationwide,” according to a written statement from JFCAC on May 22. “In response, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) emphasizes the program’s long-term benefits. According to NHSA, Head Start not only improves educational outcomes, but also contributes to better health, economic stability and family well-being.
“JFCAC and NHSA urges community members to continue to advocate for the program’s continuation. Please join JFCAC in advocating for Head Start by going to nhsa.org/take-action to share your message of support for this critical program directly with our government leaders.”
Masters said JFCAC has been a cornerstone of early childhood development in Jefferson and Franklin counties since its inception. The nonprofit corporation and its Head Start program began in 1965, expanding from a summer initiative to a comprehensive service that now includes Early Head Start for infants, toddlers and pregnant women.
“Without programs like Head Start, our communities will falter,” said Diana Hayes, CEO of JFCAC. “We must ensure that every child and family has access to the resources they need to thrive.”
The JFCAC’s 12 Head Start sites serve a total of 487 children at no cost to families and employ approximately 120 staff members. These programs provide services such as education, health screenings, nutrition and family support to area families with low incomes.
“Head Start has been instrumental in preparing our youngest learners for success in school and life,” said Tammie Benton, director of JFCAC’s Head Start program. “We’ve seen firsthand how early intervention and comprehensive support positively impacts the youngest members of our community and prepares them for future success.”
Head Start is currently enrolling pregnant mothers and children up to age 5. To complete a child enrollment application or to learn more about the JFCAC Head Start program, including income guidelines, visit jfcac.org or call 636-789-2686, ext. 6.
The Head Starts are located at 3225 Baisch Drive near De Soto; 17 Municipal Drive in Arnold; 3680 Hillsboro-Hematite Road in Hematite; 19 Sugar Creek Road in the Jefferson County portion of Fenton; 3921 Jeffco Blvd. in Arnold; 6180 Hwy. MM in House Springs; 4485 Sunrise School Road near De Soto; and 4770 Hwy. B in Hillsboro.