#head start

[empireofthestates]

What You Need to Know about Project 2025

The GOP's Radical Plans for America's Future

graphics from @/pinballwizardess on tiktok

[srldesigns6277]

By 5 P.M. Tonight (01/28/25), in a Leaked Memo, the Trump Administration orders a freeze on all Federal Funding. Things like loans, grants, and national and international aid.

This includes but does not limit to programs relating to Medicaid and Childhood Cancer Research. From Head Start to Local Law Enforcement programs.

The Trump Administration plans to go through each program on a "case-by-case" basis to decide the funding.

Democrats and Various Legal Groups have come out against this calling for legal disputes and to halt Senate Confirmation Hearings until more information has been presented or the funding returns.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Shumer responded by stating "in an instant, Donald Trump has shut off billions, perhaps trillions, of dollars that directly support states, cities, towns, schools, hospitals, small businesses, and most of all, families."

[thedialoguedilemma]

The Dilemma Bulletin: Tuesday January 28th, 2025

Keeping you informed about the daily events of the Trump Administration

President Trump orders a federal freeze on different types of aid causing the nation to plunge into chaos amidst the confusion. Programs such as foreign aid, nonprofits, head start programs, infrastructure, school lunch programs were all set to be affected.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the federal aid freeze minutes before it was slated to take effect. The President does not have the authority to freeze aid approved by Congress. Congress ultimately makes that decision.

Medicaid portals in all 50 states went offline on Tuesday after Trump ordered a federal aid freeze. Medicaid provides almost 72 million low income Americans with healthcare.

Trump loyalist and Georgia House Rep. Rich McCormick told CNN that kids who participate in school lunch programs "sponge off the government” and should “get a job to pay for school lunch” instead of all kids being offered school lunch for free.

Caroline Kennedy (daughter to former US President John Kennedy) breaks her silence and gives a scathing review of RFK Jr. She slams her cousin for being unfit, a liar, a hypocrite and a predator ahead of his confirmation hearing.

President Trump fired 17 independent inspector generals citing “changing in priorities”. Inspector Generals cannot be fired unless told to Congress 30 days in advance. Inspector Generals are are nonpartisan watchdogs responsible for identifying and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse at federal agencies.

President Donald Trump is pushing through a mass firing of federal workers and offering them a 7 month buyout of their contracts in an attempt to shrink the size of the government. The idea is to replace federal workers including Inspector Generals that with Trump loyalists that will bow to his every move. They must either report to work full time or accept a buyout package.

Senators Chuck Grassley (R) and Dick Durbin (D) send a bipartisan letter to Trump asking him to explain why he’s mass firing federal workers and the Inspector Generals.

ICE Deportations have accelerated as raids in cities such as New York City have been more aggressive.

Democrats have gained a seat in the Iowa State Senate special election, a district Trump won by 21 points.

F35 fighter jet crashes in Alaska. The pilot survived.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says that podcasters, bloggers, streamers may be eligible to apply for a White House press pass.

[kikissh]

Patrons just got a 12hr head start on these Demon Bat Monster Babes AND $10 OFF ♥♥♥

[coochiequeens]

Ladies we saw the impact of having to provide full time childcare had on women's careers during covid. And we also saw how as long the fathers had a spare room to hole up in while WFH they were just 🤷‍♂️ concerning their wives frustrations.

By Moira Donegan

Last month, the White House issued a proposed budget to Congress that completely eliminated funding for Head Start, the six-decade-old early childhood education program for low-income families that serves as a source of childcare for large swaths of the American working class.

The funding was restored in the proposed budget after an outcry, but large numbers of employees who oversee the program at the office of Head Start were laid off in a budget-slashing measure under Robert F Kennedy Jr, the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. On Thursday, Kennedy said funding for the program would not be axed, but more cuts to childcare funding are likely coming: some Republicans have pushed to repeal a five-decade-old tax credit for daycare. The White House is entertaining proposals on how to incentivize and structurally coerce American women into bearing more children, but it seems to be determined to make doing so as costly to those women’s careers as possible.

That’s because the Republicans’ childcare policy, like their pro-natalist policy, is based on one goal: undoing the historic gains in women’s rights and status, and pushing American women out of the workforce, out of public life, out of full participation in society – and into a narrow domestic role of confinement, dependence and isolation.

The New York Times reported this week that the White House is now not only looking for ways to make more women have children, but to encourage “parents” to stay home to raise them. “Parents” here is a euphemism. Roughly 80% of stay-at-home parents are mothers: cultural traditions that encourage women, and not men, to sacrifice their careers for caregiving, along with persistent wage inequalities that make women, on the whole, lower earners than their male partners, both incentivize women, and not men, to drop out of the workforce and stay home when they have children

This state of affairs has been worsened by the dramatic rise in the cost of childcare, which is prohibitively expensive for many parents. The average cost of childcare per child per year in the US is now well north of $11,000, according to Child Care Aware of America, an industry advocacy group. In major cities such as New York, that price is significantly higher: from $16,000 to $19,000 per year. Existing tax credits need to be expanded, not eliminated, to reduce this burden on mothers and their families and to enable women to join the workforce at rates comparable to men and commensurate with their dignity and capacities. Currently, 26% of mothers do not engage in paid work, a figure that has barely budged in 40 years. Largely because of the unequally distributed burdens of childcare, men participate in the paid labor force at a rate that is more than 10% higher than women.

One might think that the solution would be to invest more in high-quality childcare, so that providers could open more slots, children could access more resources, and women could go to work and expend their talents in productive ways that earn them money, make use of their gifts and provide more dignity for women and more stability for families. This is not what the American right is proposing: Brad Wilcox, a sociologist who promotes traditional family and gender relations, has called such policy initiatives “work-ist”. Conservatives are proposing, instead, that women go back to the kitchen.

What emerges from the right is an effort to force women out of education and paid work and into pregnancy and dependence on men

The Trump administration, and the American right more broadly, wants the rate of women’s employment to be even lower, because it is advancing a lie that women are naturally, inevitably, uniformly and innately inclined to caregiving, child rearing and homemaking – and not to the positions of intellectual achievement, responsibility, leadership, ingenuity or independence that women may aspire to in the public world. “We cannot get away from the fact that a child is hardwired to bond with Mom,” says Janet Erickson, a fellow at the rightwing Institute for Family Studies, who once co-authored an op-ed with JD Vance calling on “parents” to drop out of the workforce to raise children. “I just think, why should we deny that?”

This kind of vague, evidence-free gesturing toward evolutionary psychology – the notion that babies are “hardwired” to prefer mothers who are not employed – is a common conservative tick: a recourse to dishonest and debunked science to lend empiricism to bigotry. There is in fact no evolutionary reason, and no biological reason, for mothers, and not fathers, to abandon independence, ambition or life outside the home for the sake of a child. The only reason is a sexist one.

Over the past decade, the left launched few vigorous defenses of a feminist politics that seeks to advance and secure women’s access to public life, paid work and fair remuneration. The American left has launched vigorous criticisms of the “girlboss”, a figure of malignant female ambition who seemed to make the exploitations of capitalism more offensive by virtue of her sex, and it has instead offered critiques of women’s ambition and romantic defenses of the labor of “care” that just happens to overlap with women’s traditional – and traditionally unpaid – roles in the home. This leftwing rhetoric has at times mirrored the similar romanticization of the unpaid housewife of yesteryear from the right, which has embraced tradwives, homesteading fantasies and an aestheticized rustic simplicity that aims to contrast feminist gains in the workforce with a fantasy of women’s rest. Together, these strains of rhetorical opposition to women in the workforce have made anti-feminism into a new kind of “socialism of fools” – a misguided misdirection of anger and resentment at the rapaciousness of capitalism towards a social justice movement for the rights of an oppressed class.

But what is on offer from the political right is not about the refashioning of work and life to be less extractive and exploitative for women, and particularly for mothers. It is instead about a sex segregation of human experience, an effort to make much of public life inaccessible to women. Combined with the right wing’s successful attack on the right to abortion, the Trump administration’s dramatic cuts to Title X programs that provide contraceptive access, and the rescinding of federal grants aimed at helping working women, what emerges from the rightwing policy agenda is an effort to force women out of education, out of decently paid work and into pregnancy, unemployment and dependence on men.

Theirs is an effort to shelter men from women’s economic competition, to revert to the regressive cultural modes of an imagined past, and to impose an artificially narrow vision of the capacities, aspirations, talents and desires of half of the American people.

Murray Rothbard, the paleoconservative 20th-century economist whose ideas have had a profound influence on the Trumpist worldview, once vowed: “We shall repeal the 20th century.” As far as the Republican right is concerned, it seems to want to repeal the gains of 20th-century feminism first.

Moira Donegan is a Guardian US columnist

[rvllybllply2014]

They’re getting rid of head start, you know the preschool program for 778,420 children from low income families and they’re not replacing the program. Sure is the party of pro lifers isn’t it? Like if it was a democrat people would be losing their shit and it would be headline news for weeks.

Anyway I hate it here

[toxicanonymity]

Hi my dearest!

I contacted my senator to vote against the safe act! I tried to highlight the impact on rural voters since we’re a very rural state. My senator wouldn’t care about trans people or married women but I tried to frame it as “darn city folk don’t understand rural life!”

Anyway I don’t need another piece, instead I’d just like to take this moment and ask if maybe those of us using the bots and contacting our representatives take moment and look into trump wanting to completely defund Head Start, and contact your representatives

https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/HeadStart/Campaigns/125064/Respond

Head start is an incredibly important program providing preschool to underserved children and children with disabilities. Most fall far below the poverty line, many are homeless. Head start provides not only education and a safe place for children to go when parents work, but also healthy meals and snacks.

I worked for the program and feel very passionate about it. This site linked makes it v easy to contact but use whatever you’d like! Children are depending on you.

JD Vance wants to tout around being a fake hillbilly but programs like head start are incredibly vital to children facing poverty to help them start on a good path.

Hi, Roman! Major kudos on figuring out the best angle to use with your senators 👏👏👏. The SAVE act would have a huge impact on rural voters, many of whom would have to take a half or full day off if they can afford it just to go in person to register with their documents as it requires. And that's after paying to get the documents if they're not handy. The Brennan institute says this bill could impact 10% of all voters.

I also agree that Head Start is an important program. Republicans want to take money from these important programs and give it to corporations and billionaires. Furthermore, republicans know education shrinks their base. They depend on convincing less educated voters of fictional narratives to explain their struggles, like immigrants taking their jobs, vs. the reality of capitalism. It's sick.

Head Start Voter Voice

[joe-england]

Let's talk about Trump, Head Start, and reverse Robin Hood....

How? How did we manage to pick someone this stupidly evil? TWICE??

[knit-me-a-blanket]

WIP Wednesday

This Wednesday, I actually have a lot on my needles. I'm getting started early on my Pride Projects for June while also starting my projects for my Leukemia Lymphoma Society Fundraiser! But you'll have to wait until the first WIP on Wednesday to find out what they are!

So today, we are going to highlight a hat that I'm making for my cousin. Last year, we traveled to see the solar eclipse and, of course, stumbled upon a yarn shop! He had asked me to make him a watermelon-themed throw pillow that he could put on his bed. We purchased the yarn (Plymouth Yarn Company Encore Worsted - Item 611), and I got to work. After finishing the pillow and making it the size that he asked for, I realized that I had quite a bit of extra yarn left over. I had to do something with it and figured that I'd make a hat! It would be a fun and easy way to create something and give him an additional watermelon-themed item.

I'm aware that this isn't the prettiest-looking WIP that I've posted, but bear with me here as I explain the process.

I first cast on with a provisional cast-on. My intention was to knit the hat flat and then pick up the ribbing in the round when I was finished.

I then knit a band of white, keeping this area fairly thin as it's just the border between the hat and the ribbing. I'm knitting the hat using the herringbone stitch. I've never done this stitch but have always wanted to, and figured this would be the perfect opportunity to try it out.

The last step is to sew the hat together using the gathering stitch at the top and then stitching up the sides. Because I used a provisional cast-on, I'll be able to pick up the stitches in the round to finish the border.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Jennifer Scholtes at Politico:

One week in, the Trump administration is broadening its assault on the functions of government and shifting control of the federal purse strings further away from members of Congress. President Donald Trump’s budget office on Monday ordered a total freeze on “all federal financial assistance” that could be targeted under his previous executive orders that pausing funding for a wide range of priorities – from domestic infrastructure and energy projects to diversity-related programs and foreign aid. In a two-page memo obtained by POLITICO, the Office of Management and Budget announced all federal agencies would be forced to temporarily suspend payments, while making clear that Social Security and Medicare would not be affected. “The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve,” according to the memo, which three people authenticated.

The new order could affect billions of dollars in grants to state and local governments, while also creating disruptions to programs that benefit U.S. households. But in the immediate aftermath there was also widespread confusion over how the memo would be implemented and whether it may face legal challenges. While the memo says the funding pause does not include assistance “provided directly to individuals,” for instance, it does not clarify whether that includes money sent first to states or organizations and then provided to households. The brief memo also does not detail all payments that will be halted. However, it broadly orders federal agencies to “temporarily” stop sending all federal financial assistance that could be affected by Trump’s executive actions.

That includes the president’s orders to freeze all funding from Democrats’ signature climate and spending law called the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure package enacted in 2021, along with a 90-day freeze of all foreign aid. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement decried the announcement as an example of “more lawlessness and chaos in America as Donald Trump’s Administration blatantly disobeys the law by holding up virtually all vital funds that support programs in every community across the country.”

The OMB under Tyrant 47’s misadministration puts out a “temporary” freeze to most federal aid and grants, including food assistance, Medicaid, farm aid, Head Start, and rent assistance. Social Security and Medicare are exempted.

This is dangerous and dictatorial, and must be resisted.

See Also:

HuffPost: Donald Trump Orders Freeze On All Federal Grants And Loans In Huge Power Grab

The Hill: Trump administration directs widespread pause of federal loans and grants

Reuters: White House pauses federal grant, loan, and other assistance programs

NOTUS: Trump Administration Orders Sudden Freeze on Federal Aid

[thedialoguedilemma]

The Dilemma Bulletin: Friday January 31st, 2025

Keeping you informed about the daily events of the Trump Administration

President Donald Trump held a press conference and signed a Memorandum yesterday blaming the Washington DC helicopter and plane collision crash on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as putting blame on the Biden Administration and the Obama Administration. There is no evidence that DEI was the cause of the crash.

President Trump officially announced his implementation of a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada beginning on February 1st. Tariff taxes are ultimately always passed on to the consumer to pay. Expect skyrocketing prices on Energy, Natural Gas, Oil, Steel, Aluminum, Seafood, Grain, Fruits, Vegetables, automotive parts, clothing, footwear and more.

Robert F Kennedy, Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard's Cabinet Confirmation hearings continue. Republican colleagues express growing concern over Tulsi Gabbard as her continuous flags as a national security risk are brought to question especially after she refused to condemn Edward Snowden.

Bird Flu cases continue to soar with Massachussets showing a major increase in cases. The CDC and Department of Health has paused communications to the public via a Trump Executive Order. Trump has also started the process to withdraw from The World Health Organization but you can still sign up for their mailing list newsletters on their website.

Trump has revoked deportation protections initially enacted by the Biden Administration for almost 600,000 Venezuelans

[gwydionmisha]

What He's doing is illegal.

[timbarrus]

I am a communist. I note that short term pain is code for something is going to be removed. For the disabled, it will mean food. It will mean medications. I know that is not what you want to hear. But the measuring itself is an institution of massive variables. I notice that there are many children playing in the hurricane rubble here in Appalachia. It was odd. No Head Start. Now, there's a great way to find and keep a job. Let's hope it's a safe rubble. Let's hope it will be a sane economic rubble when all the suits are done with their feeding frenzies. No Head Start means no food. Now, sit down with your 4-year-old, and you are going to tell them the story of how tariffs and bankruptcy after bankruptcy are two peas in a corporate pod. Money can be spread around in many ways such as indentured servitude and the whip. I mean, workers and supply and demand. Has any economist in the entire world ever even been in a slaughterhouse. How do you measure morality in a culture, anyway. You don't. You explain to the masses through bullhorns in helicopters that it's all for our own good. All you need to do is work harder. All you need to do is work faster. Who are these guys who think parenting and three jobs in the family is a game of economic musical chairs. It's always caste and class. Work harder with less. I am looking out of my little writing window, and those kids are out there in the incomprehensible rubble the adult world has made of things.

[bye-bye-sugar-blue-eyes]

I work for the Iowa branch of Headstart and today was an all-day meeting. HALF OF WHICH was taken up by going over the orange fucker's new executive orders. We now have plans put into place in case ICE officers show up because we have a pretty big Hispanic community. We also talked about how legal "safe spaces" are no longer a thing and we were given resources for LGBT members who need to talk about their fears for the future. And we were assured that even if our funding is cut, we'll all still have jobs.

WHAT. THE. FUCK?

Not only do we have to spend time and energy worrying about our future, but also the children and families we support. This is baffling and terrifying. I'm still half-waiting on someone to come out and say it was all a prank or social experiment. I feel like I'm in an episode of the Twilight Zone and I want to fire the writers.

[rvllybllply2014]

Trump sure is for the poor people isn’t he?

[leahm2000]

Things I learned as a teacher on the first day of school -year 4 edition

1) there is nothing that a little glitter water can’t fix (a spray bottle filled with water with a pinch of fine glitter)

2) Rice cakes are not called rice cakes they are popcorn pancakes. I will forever refer to them as such

3) tiny humans (4-5years old) ask a lot of random questions. I thought I knew this one and was preferred for what I figured would be the slew of questions (when can I go home, where’s my tablet, why…) but instead I got things similar to this. ��Miss who would make a better pet? You or Mr don?” And “why do the leaves have to die every year? Do we have to too?” Like ummm what?

3) my class seemed to unanimously decide that we don’t like the following popular shows and therefore will throw a fit if it comes on during dance party transitions

- SpongeBob

- Dora

- PJ masks (despite several clothing articles and water-bottles featuring this nocturnal crime fighting trio)

- The ‘Old’ Disney songs. When asked to clarify I got “not the cartoons miss L those are so old. We like the ones with the real people.”

4) Nap-trapped is my favorite place to be… I would love to know what they are dreaming about though

5) finally the amount of pure joy and happiness that these kiddos bring into my classroom each day is unmatched and I am the luckiest human alive to experience it everyday.