The Impacts of Extreme Weather Disasters on the Implementation of Head Start Services

Abstract

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather disasters pose significant challenges to the delivery of Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) services, impacting children’s access to early childhood education. This study investigates how extreme weather events disrupt EHS/HS programs and their implications for enrollment and service delivery. We find that over 43% of EHS/HS sites were located in communities that experienced an extreme weather disaster during the period from March 1, 2012, to February 28, 2017. These extreme weather-affected EHS and HS sites had the capacity to serve more than half a million children. EHS/HS sites located in communities that experienced an extreme weather disaster were more likely to temporarily or permanently close in the year following the disaster. EHS/HS programs that remained open after an extreme weather disaster served more children in the following year but provided a lower percentage of those children with developmental screenings. Based on these findings, we propose the Office of Head Start (OHS) enhance assistance to help EHS/HS create comprehensive plans that maintain essential services, including screenings, even during increased enrollment following disasters. We also suggest that OHS coordinate with state and federal emergency management agencies to prioritize the timely resumption of EHS/HS services following extreme weather disasters.