A Seat at the Table: Real Stories Shaping Head Start

By Holly Unger, Family Action Network Member

Holly Unger, a member of Groundwork Ohio’s Family Action Network (FAN), recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in Parents Unite—a national convening led by the National Head Start Association that brings parents from across the country together to share their stories, build connections, and engage directly with federal leaders. Representing Ohio families, Holly joined other parents with lived experience to elevate what’s working, where challenges remain, and why programs like Head Start matter for children and families navigating complex systems.

There are moments in this work that remind you exactly why you keep showing up—and this was one of them.

During our time on Capitol Hill, we had the opportunity to sit down with Adam Jones, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration for Children & Families Assistant Secretary Alex Adams.

What stood out most wasn’t just the meeting itself, but the genuine conversation we were able to have about foster care, Head Start, and the realities families are facing every single day.

We didn’t walk in as professionals with titles—we walked in as parents. As caregivers. As people living this work in real time.

We talked about the intersection of foster care and Head Start—how critical early childhood support is for children who have already experienced so much instability. We shared what it looks like on the ground: the gaps, the challenges, but also the incredible impact when these programs work together the way they’re meant to.

Then came a moment none of us expected.

We were joined by the new Director of the Office of Head Start, Liz Castro White.

What could have felt intimidating instead became something powerful—because we weren’t just being talked to, we were being listened to. Around that table were parents from across the United States, each bringing their own stories, perspectives, and lived experiences.

And that’s what made it matter.

Because policies aren’t just words on paper—they shape real lives. And when parents are included in those conversations, when our voices are heard and valued, better decisions are made for children and families.

We talked about why Head Start works. Why it matters not just for the child, but for the whole family. We talked about the importance of support systems, of trust, of meeting families where they are—especially those navigating foster care.

What I walked away with is this:

There is power in showing up.

There is power in sharing your story.

And there is real change that can happen when parents are given a seat at the table.

This was more than a meeting. It was a reminder that our voices belong in these spaces—and that we will keep showing up, speaking up, and advocating for every child and every family who deserves the opportunity to thrive.