Head Start Cuts Crime in Oregon

This Oregon report shows that providing high-quality Head Start to all eligible at-risk Oregon children could prevent as many as 500 at-risk children each year from becoming criminals. Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood development program for low-income 3- and 4-year-old children and their families, which provides integrated services in preschool education, child health, nutrition, social and emotional development, parent education, and family involvement. Oregon Head Start gives children a smart start to succeed in school and in life. Research shows that Head Start helps children learn to get along with others and follow directions, and reduces problem behavior that can lead to youth and adult crime. Head Start also shows strong results for children in improving language and math skills, reducing grade retention, and increasing graduation rates. Many of Oregon’s children who are eligible for Head Start do not receive it. Oregon’s elected leaders need to ensure that Head Start services are available to all eligible children and that program quality is enhanced by increasing Head Start teacher qualifications and providing increased compensation to retain highly qualified teachers.