Luján: Trump Administration is Withholding Nearly $24 Million in Funding for Head Start in New Mexico While Shuttering Centers Nationwide and Forcing Devastating Closures

New Data Shows a Steep Decline in Head Start Funding Going Out the Door So Far This Year

Trump Administration Hollows Out Offices Running the Program and Eyes Eliminating It Outright

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), one of only two Head Start graduates to serve in the U.S. Senate, sounded the alarm as President Trump finalizes his proposal to eliminate Head Start, shutter half of the regional offices running the program, and fire scores of staff who ensure Head Start centers can serve kids and families.

New data shows how the Trump administration has issued nearly $24 million less in federal grants to Head Start centers in New Mexico so far this year compared to the same period last year, a staggering -83% decline. Nationwide, the Trump administration has issued nearly $1 billion less in federal grants to Head Start centers nationwide so far this year compared to the same period last year, a steep -37% decline.

The Trump administration’s withholding of nearly $1 billion in Head Start funding is impacting Head Start centers nationwide—already forcing center closures, which hurt families and teachers, and risking many more.

“Head Start provides critical early childhood programs and helps make child care safer and more affordable for families across the country,” said Senator Luján. “As a proud Head Start graduate, this slow-walk of distributing funding is extremely concerning and an attack on New Mexico families. I know the value of Head Start – it got me to the United States Senate, and I will continue to fight to protect Head Start for New Mexico families and the next generation.”

A New Mexico breakdown of the Head Start funding being slow-walked by the Trump administration is below:

State	Head Start Funding Disbursed 1/1/24 – 4/15/24	Head Start Funding Disbursed 1/1/25 – 4/15/25	Difference in Head Start Funding Dispersed
New Mexico	$28,763,786	$4,812,435	-$23,951,351

DATA SOURCE: HHS

Head Start programs’ grants are generally renewed at the same time each year, and Head Start programs depend on these strict funding cycles to continue serving kids and families. In fiscal years 2024 and 2025, Head Start has been funded at $12.27 billion nationwide. In 2024, $28.76 million in Head Start funding went out from the start of the year through April 15 in New Mexico. But during the same period this year, only $4.8 million has so far gone out—a nearly $24 million, or -83%, decline. Any delays in funding going out the door can have devastating consequences for Head Start programs.

Head Start currently serves over 750,000 kids nationwide, and the program has served nearly 40 million children and their families nationwide since its inception in 1965. There are over 17,000 Head Start centers nationwide that help kids and families thrive, and these centers are particularly important in serving rural communities with fewer options for care. A state-by-state breakdown of the number of kids and families served by Head Start is available HERE.

Since taking office, President Trump has gutted the offices that keep Head Start centers and child care programs across the country running. In late February, the Trump administration fired scores of staff at the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Head Start and Office of Child Care. Earlier this month, President Trump continued to hollow out HHS, including by shuttering half of the regional offices at the Office of Head Start, which are responsible for ensuring high-quality Head Start services are available to families nationwide.

To combat attacks on Head Start, Senator Luján has led efforts to reverse the mass firings at Head Start, demanded action and answers regarding the disruption of Head Start programs, and pressed Trump administration nominees on cuts to Head Start.

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