On February 28, 2024, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 902- Prekindergarten- Ulysses Currie Head Start Program- Eligibility for State Funds. This bill extends funding to providers in the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program to support the expansion of public pre-K.

In doing so, the bill will help address several local concerns about pre-K expansion, including workforce, facility  capacity, and private provider participation.

From MACo Testimony:

By expanding State-supported pre-K programs to include providers under Ulysses Currie Head Start Programs, HB 902 helps address the State’s current challenges of not having enough providers and facilities to expand pre-K services as required under the Blueprint. While the capacity and situation vary between counties, these are near-universal issues facing every corner of the state.

More on MACo’s Advocacy:

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2024 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2024 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog