Head Start and Child Care Prevent Crime in North Dakota

This report shows that quality early education programs can help young children reduce aggressive behavior and prevent crime in North Dakota. Despite the well-documented benefits of quality early childhood programs, a large number of children in North Dakota are not participating in quality early childhood care and education programs due to inadequate funding. Last year, 31 percent of North Dakota’s children who were eligible for Head Start were not served by the program. Federal child care assistance is available to only one in seven eligible children. Of the children enrolled in North Dakota Head Start programs in 2004-2005, 1,375 were American Indian children, comprising 35 percent of all enrolled children. There is a huge need for quality child care in North Dakota, as 72 percent of children under age six years have working parents and are in the care of someone other than their parents during the work day. Research shows that at-risk children receiving high-quality early childhood programs like Head Start are as much as one-third less likely to go on to commit crimes than similar at-risk children who don’t attend these programs. Early education programs can provide young children essential academic and social skills that are critical for later success. The law enforcement leaders of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids call on Congress to fully fund Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant to serve all eligible children. Congress should also provide funds to improve Head Start quality.