Natalie Weber / Houston Public Media
The Houston-area nonprofit BakerRipley is expanding its “Head Start” and “Early Head Start” programs in Fort Bend County, opening two new centers in the Missouri City area within the last year.
They’re federally funded programs that provide free early childhood education for low-income families with infants and children up to 5 years old.
In Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston, there are 511 children enrolled in BakerRipley’s Head Start program, which serves children between ages 3-5. Another 176 Fort Bend children are enrolled in its Early Head Start programs, which focus on infants and toddlers.
BakerRipley spokesperson Sucre Woodley said the nonprofit expanded its programs in Fort Bend in response to a growing need as more lower-income families move out to the suburbs.
“It’s really important that the services such as Head Start be located much closer to where people live and where they need it,” she said.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 8.5 percent of Fort Bend County residents live below the poverty line.
As of 2022, another 27% percent of the county’s residents did not make enough money to cover basic living costs, despite earning more than the poverty line, according to a report from United Way.
Meanwhile, the average monthly cost of daycare for one child in Fort Bend County is around $805, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Natalie Weber / Houston Public Media
Virginia Stevens, the director of child development services for BakerRipley, said parents don’t have to pay anything out of pocket for the program, which covers the costs of items such as diapers and food for children during the day.
“We provide resources, classroom supplies, everything needed for the child to succeed as well as their family,” she said.
Those resources include rental and utility assistance, free tax preparation, entrepreneur coaching and parenting classes for families.
The Head Start program was started under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. However, it could face scrutiny under the Trump administration. Some centers have already reported difficulties accessing funds after the Trump administration froze federal grant funding – a move that was halted by a federal court and later rescinded.
BakerRipley recently renewed its 5-year grant for its Head Start programs. The nonprofit receives more than $10 million for its six Head Start centers in Fort Bend County.
Woodley said private donors have reached out to ask how they can support BakerRipley’s early education efforts.
“We are open to other funding sources, and we will continue to operate just as we have for many, many years,” she said.
Open enrollment for the nonprofit’s Head Start programs began this week, with dozens of openings at the Missouri City locations. Families can learn more about the program and enroll by visiting BakerRipley’s website.