Mrvan touts benefits of early childhood education in visit to Gary

U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, and Mayor Eddie Melton visited a Head Start facility on Thursday, where they emphasized the need for the federally funded early childhood education program and vowed to continue to support it.

Both elected officials were joined by Geminus Head Start officials as they toured the St. Mark Early Learning Academy, which serves over 100 children from ages 0 to 5 years old. While touring the building, they learned more about the center's curriculum and interacted with several of the Head Start children and staff.

During a press conference following the tour, Melton, Mrvan and Geminus leaders touted the benefits of the Head Start program.

Melton said investments in early childhood education weren't just helping individual children but were also laying the foundation for stronger families and economy, citing a 2019 study that stated that every dollar invested in early childhood education could yield up to a $17 return in investment to the economy.

"For a city like Gary, this impact cannot be overstated, we know that the success of our children directly influences the success of our city," said the mayor.

Karen Carradine, vice president of early childhood services for Geminus, said Head Start was a "public good" that helped young children improve their cognitive language skills and social-emotional development. Carradine also cited data from the National Head Start Association which noted that children enrolled in Head Start were 93% less likely to be placed in foster care.

"These programs are not merely about meeting the physical needs of babies, toddlers or preschoolers, they are essential learning centers that provide a stable, nurturing environment where young children can come grow and thrive," Carradine said.

Mrvan said he wanted to make sure there was awareness of the benefits of the Head Start program given "uncertainty" at the federal level, due to the temporary pause of federal grants and loans ordered by the Trump administration in late January. The White House later withdrew the budget memo that ordered the freeze, which resulted in numerous Head Start facilities being unable to access federal funding. 

The congressman said he would use his position on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee — which decides how federal government funds are spent — to advocate and fight for continued funding of Head Start.

"I can say that I visited and I've seen parents who are able to go out into the workforce and provide for their family," said Mrvan. "I'm able to see young minds grow so that they're able to be able to be better, productive students."

When asked by The Times if there was any indication that funding for Head Start could be cut at the federal level, Mrvan said all federal programs and agencies were at risk of being on the chopping block.

According to Geminus Head Start officials, the federal program employs around 4,000 Hoosiers and serves over 12,000 families across the state each year. In Lake and Porter counties, Geminus provides services for over 1,670 children.