RFK Jr. excludes undocumented kids from Head Begin: What to know

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Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration is reversing a long time of federal coverage to exclude undocumented kids from the federal preschool program Head Begin, in its newest assault on immigrants within the US.

Who shall be affected? Kids with out authorized immigration standing shall be immediately excluded from this system underneath Thursday’s announcement, however the influence shall be broader. Because the Nationwide Head Begin Affiliation wrote in response to the information, “Makes an attempt to impose such a requirement threaten to create concern and confusion amongst all households who’re targeted on elevating wholesome kids, prepared to achieve faculty and life.”

What does Head Begin do? Head Begin is an early childhood training program for low-income and homeless kids between the ages of three and 5, run on the nationwide stage by the Division of Well being and Human Companies however largely administered on the native stage. Amongst different advantages, it additionally offers vitamin help for enrolled kids and, crucially, dependable baby care for his or her dad and mom.

Why is the coverage altering? Because the training publication Chalkbeat identified, this alteration suits with a deliberate technique by the Trump administration to make life tougher for undocumented immigrants and power them to self-deport. In February, President Donald Trump signed an government order directing the federal government to exclude undocumented immigrants from extra packages.

What else did HHS change? Thursday’s announcement doesn’t simply influence Head Begin, however at the very least 12 different packages, together with psychological well being and substance abuse help, that the administration is now reclassifying as “federal public advantages” to be able to exclude undocumented immigrants.

What’s the large image? Information on the advantages of early childhood training is sophisticated, as my colleague Kelsey Piper has reported — however analysis means that it might probably have a optimistic lifelong influence on outcomes for kids. The Trump administration’s resolution excludes a gaggle of youngsters younger sufficient that they could know no different dwelling than america from these advantages.

And with that, it’s time to sign off…

The pygmy hippo Moo Deng, who turned a world sensation final yr for her puckish antics, turned 1 on Thursday and celebrated with a “cake” made from vegetables and fruit. Final yr, my colleague Li Zhou examined what makes Moo Deng and her friends on this planet of viral child animals so fashionable — it’s an important piece that additionally encompasses a very fluffy penguin chick and a child beaver. I hope you give it a learn, and if there are every other child animals who’ve stolen your coronary heart not too long ago, I’d like to see images. Have an important weekend!