Washtenaw County Celebrates 60 Years of Head Start
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) Early Childhood department celebrated 60 years of Head Start in Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park. Over 100 children, family members, early childhood staff, elected officials, and community members came together to celebrate the milestone birthday. Head Start is a federal program promoting school readiness and early childhood development for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from low-income families.
“For six decades, Head Start has been a cornerstone of early childhood education and community building,” stated Dr. Edward Manuszak, Executive Director for Early Childhood at WISD. “Head Start nurtures not only school readiness, but also confidence, curiosity, and the belief that every child can thrive. This celebration is a tribute to the tremendous impact Head Start has made right here in Washtenaw County.”
Head Start began in 1965 and has served over 40 million children and families in its history. In Washtenaw County, Head Start currently serves 451 children through three key programs in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Whitmore Lake:
- Early Head Start home-based services for children ages birth to 36 months.
- Early Head Start center-based classrooms for children ages 18-36 months.
- Head Start center-based preschool classrooms for children ages 3-4.
Shayna Wilson, Chairperson of the Washtenaw County Head Start Policy Council and current Head Start parent, has directly experienced how the program made a difference for her and her children. “I saw firsthand how Head Start can be life-changing for my own children. I want every child to be able to experience that kind of support and chance to learn,” shared Wilson.
As part of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, 245 parents are also employed, participating in job training, or attending school, which provides an economic boost to families and the local community. Wilson continued, “Thanks to Head Start, I was able to work while my children attended a preschool that I knew I could trust. Because my children were in a stable and consistent preschool program, I was also able to maintain a stable and consistent work schedule. It worked for my employer, for me, and my family.”
Special guests and speakers of the Head Start 60th Birthday Bash and Rally included: Ypsilanti Mayor Nicole Brown, Rep. Jimmy Wilson, Rep. Jason Morgan, Rep. Kathy Schmaltz, Rep. Carrie Rheingans, High Scope President and CEO Alejandra Barraza, WISD Family Services Coordinator Althea Wilson, University of Michigan Pediatrician Dr. Karen Brennan, and DTE Vice President and Head Start alumna JoAnn Chavez.