Voices proudly supports this bill’s commitment to universal access to evidence-based Head Start and Early Head Start programs for all eligible families across the Commonwealth. By directing the Head Start State Collaboration Office to develop a comprehensive, well-resourced plan that expands capacity, strengthens the early childhood workforce, and leverages innovative funding models, this legislation takes a critical step toward ensuring every child has a strong, equitable start in life.

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HB 211 takes a vital step in strengthening Virginia’s early childhood care and education system by taking a clear, informed look at the current state of Head Start and Early Head Start across the Commonwealth and aiming to fortify it. At the core, Head Start provides a comprehensive and high-quality pre-k curriculum in a safe and warm learning environment for our most vulnerable children. Beyond the classroom, Head Start is truly a wrap-around service providing families with support to promote their physical and emotional health, mental wellness, and even financial well being. When families have access to Head Start services, children enter elementary school healthier, more prepared, and are more likely to succeed long term. HB 211 is critical for the future of Head Start in the state of Virginia. Nationally, there is a need for stronger state-level investment and coordination, especially as federal funding continues to wane. This bill lays the groundwork for exactly that by helping Virginia understand just how much the support is needed and how to responsibly maximize and protect this beloved program. Head Start’s mission statement is “to promote the school readiness of children from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development in learning environments”. HB 211 supports this mission by expanding and strengthening Head Start in Virginia, as this state-level support is needed now more than ever. When Head Start is strong, families are empowered and when families are empowered, children thrive. I respectfully urge you to support this bill. Thank you for your time and commitment to Virginia’s children and families.

ODACS does not take a position on HB 211. However, we would caution the subcommittee about the persistent safety gap that exists between licensed childcare in Virginia and Religiously Exempt childcare in Virginia. Contrary to conventional thought, Religiously Exempt centers are statistically safer than licensed centers. For example, according to data collected by the Department of Social Services, from 2021 to 2024, there were 175 founded cases of child abuse that occurred in licensed centers in Virginia. In the same 3-year period in Religiously Exempt childcare settings, there were 8 founded cases of child abuse. HB 211 would dramatically expand licensed childcare in our state. In our opinion, it is highly imprudent to do so without at least acknowledging the safety gap, let alone addressing it.

Early prevention and support are absolutely critical for children, especially those from underserved communities. Programs like Head Start provide children with access to early education, health screenings, and social-emotional support before they enter kindergarten. These early interventions lay the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. As a School Psychologist, I have seen firsthand how early support makes a difference. Children who have access to high-quality early learning programs are more prepared for school, develop stronger social-emotional skills, and are better able to engage in learning from the very first day. Head Start also provides families with resources and guidance that support their child’s development, creating a strong home-school connection that benefits children well beyond the classroom. Universal access to Head Start would ensure that all children, regardless of background, have the opportunity to start school ready to succeed.

The Virginia Head Start Association (VAHSA) supports this legislation directing the Head Start State Collaboration Office to develop a plan to maximize state support to Head Start and Early Head Start in Virginia. Establishing this goal reflects Virginia’s commitment to evidence-based early childhood services and coordinated state support for federally funded programs. We support the bill’s focus on capacity expansion, sustainable funding, and workforce stability, and look forward to continued collaboration with the General Assembly and state partners to strengthen and expand Head Start across Virginia. Submitted by Dawn Ault, VAHSA Executive Director

Affordability? Who is paying for all this? This is setting up fraud, waste, and abuse, on the Somali/Minn. level.

On behalf of PositiveAge, the LeadingAge Virginia foundation, which focuses on transforming the aging experience in Virginia by building coalitions and developing innovative solutions to promote positive aging. PositiveAge is proud to support House Bill 254 and its thoughtful approach to strengthening Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy Program through an income-based phased reduction model. This proposal addresses a real and persistent challenge facing working families — the sudden loss of child care assistance when a modest raise or additional hours pushes income just beyond eligibility thresholds. Too often, families are forced to turn down opportunities for workplace advancement because they risk losing affordable child care. HB 254 replaces that “benefits cliff” with a gradual, predictable phase-out that encourages work, supports economic mobility, and provides stability for children. From the perspective of aging support and services, access to reliable child care is also a workforce issue. Many of the professionals who care for older Virginians — nurses, CNAs, home care workers and others are parents balancing low wages with high child care costs. Policies like this directly support employee retention and participation in the workforce serving older adults. We also appreciate the bill’s built-in safeguards, including limits on reduction percentages, opportunities for appeal, and flexibility for families facing hardship or disability-related needs. LeadingAge Virginia and PositiveAge believe this is a proven, common-sense reform that strengthens families, supports employers, and promotes long-term economic stability across the Commonwealth. We respectfully urge your support for House Bill 254.

HB478 This testimony is in favor of the enactment of a Fine Arts Seal of Excellence on high school diplomas. In considering the Fine Arts Seal of Excellence on a diploma, a lot is to be considered. Guidelines and criteria should reflect the dedication students have given to the Fine Arts Program of their school district to receive such an honor. This honor would be not only an encouragement to the dedication and participation of the programs that really compliment the educational experience students receive academically, This recognition would not only serve to encourage the students participating and dedicating themselves, but also be a lighthouse to beacon prospective students to participate in such programs. We have long known the value of such programs to improve academic improvement, aid in responsibility through punctuality and taking ownership of being a part of team effort. These skills are valuable and carry young people into adulthood and through the rest of their lives. To recognize their significant dedication to such programs for most of their formidable high school years will I believe shape stronger intellect and success in our future graduates. Please deeply consider the positive impact this will have on future graduates when approving this measure. Respectfully, Mrs. O’Neill

Affordability? Who is paying for all this? This is setting up fraud, waste, and abuse, on the Somali/Minn. level.

Dear Members of the Virginia General Assembly, My name is Jolisa Rhoyal, and I am writing in strong support of HB 2454. I offer this comment not only as a concerned citizen, but as a public school employee who has served within Virginia’s education system for more than ten years. Through my firsthand experience working with students at both the middle school and high school levels, I have consistently observed a major gap between academic instruction and real-life preparedness. Many students, even as they approach graduation, have little understanding of what life will look like after school whether that includes entering the workforce, pursuing higher education, or navigating adulthood responsibly. HB 2454 is a meaningful step in the right direction because it recognizes the value of work-based learning, apprenticeships, internships, and externships. These opportunities expose students to real-world environments, teach responsibility, and help them identify career interests early. I strongly believe these programs should not be optional or secondary, but instead taught and encouraged at a much higher demand across our schools. In addition to work-based learning, I urge the General Assembly to continue expanding and prioritizing instruction in financial literacy and real-life skills. Students should graduate with a working knowledge of: • Budgeting and saving • Money management • Investing and building generational wealth • Maintaining a healthy credit score • Avoiding and managing debt These are essential life skills that directly impact long-term stability, independence, and economic success. When students understand finances and career pathways early, they are better positioned to make informed decisions and avoid cycles of financial hardship. As someone who sees the needs of our students daily, I believe HB 2454 has the potential to positively shape their futures. I respectfully encourage your continued support of this bill and future efforts that prepare students not just academically, but practically, for life beyond the classroom. Thank you for your time, service, and commitment to Virginia’s children. Respectfully, Jolisa Rhoyal

In early care and education services, there is a need for clarity within laws and standards when referring to child care that is taking place in a licensed home-based setting. In VA, this type of care has been called family day homes and doesn’t provide the public or lawmakers a clear distinction between center-based child care and home-based child care. I support changing the language as proposed by Del Simonds in HB 258.