A statement from ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler
Dear ABCD Community,
The Trump administration’s leaked budget proposal for the Health and Human Services Department eliminates funding for Head Start, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Community Action’s Services under the Community Services Block Grant (CSGB) — all of which serve as a foundation for assisting and uplifting millions of Americans each year at ABCD and across the country.
Eliminating these programs would be catastrophic for millions of hardworking families and vulnerable children nationwide and tens of thousands in Massachusetts.
These programs have enjoyed bipartisan support for decades and since Congress still has the power to develop and pass its own budget after the President’s budget is officially released, we must mobilize now to ensure that the critical services of CSBG, Head Start, and LIHEAP continue.
Under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Community Action Agencies across the country are able to reduce poverty, revitalize communities, and help families become self-sufficient. CAAs reach more than nine million people each year through programs like Head Start, LIHEAP, and others that meet the local needs for jobs, youth development, asset-building, food and housing assistance and more.
At ABCD, elimination of this programming will leave neighbors throughout our 14 neighborhood service centers with no access to the vital resources that have helped their families survive and get out of poverty for over 60 years.
Nationwide, Head Start changes the lives of more than one million children, through its comprehensive family development services providing education, health, dental, nutrition, and related services for children from birth to age five, and pregnant mothers. Parent empowerment is central to the program’s success. ABCD proudly serves 2,000 Head Start children each year. Every dollar invested in Head Start returns $7–$10 in long-term benefits through better education, health, and employment outcomes.
ABCD’s LIHEAP program provides heating assistance to 16,000 to 20,000 households in greater Boston and the Mystic Valley area each year. This critical assistance keeps families safe in their homes during the frigid winter months by preventing dangerous heating practices, repairing or replacing broken heating systems, and it helps them spread their limited resources to cover basic needs as energy bills continue to climb. Nationwide, LIHEAP assists six million households, and in states with warmer climates, provides cooling assistance that prevents heat stroke and death.
As part of ABCD’s community, we need you now more than ever. We deeply value your support in this turbulent time. Please support these vital services by taking action:
● Use the following to contact government officials to express support:
○ National Head Start Association Advocacy Action Center, which includes a letter to President Trump
○ National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition LIHEAP Action Toolkit
We encourage you to modify the template, to reflect any personal insights you feel comfortable sharing.
● Share information near and far about the positive impact of CSBG programs, Head Start, and LIHEAP with your community via email and social media.
● Learn more about CSBG and its impact at the National Community Action Foundation website.
● Encourage anyone you know who has benefited from these programs or ABCD to share their stories with ABCD by emailing info@bostonabcd.org.
ABCD and community action programs nationwide have faced such threats before, and together with our allies, we prevailed on behalf of people facing the most challenging economic barriers.
With your help, we can do it again.
Together let’s fight for the life-changing and necessary services that we provide to our community. And please know that your impact is real and valued.
With appreciation,
Sharon Scott-Chandler
President and CEO