Augusta Police Chief Jared Mills Testifies in Support of Head Start

On April 17, Augusta Chief of Police Jared Mills provided testimony to the Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services in support of an effort to expand access to Head Start early education programs, particularly for families impacted by substance abuse. As a Fight Crime: Invest in Kids member, Chief Mills is familiar with the research that demonstrates the positive impact of early investments in later crime reduction.

Unfortunately, in 2018 about 40 percent of eligible low-income Maine children were served by Head Start, and more than 8,000 eligible children were not enrolled due to the lack of capacity. Across the state, there are 1,000 children currently listed on waiting lists to enter Head Start. The bill before the Health and Human Services committee right now prioritizes funding for additional Head Start spaces for children whose families are impacted by a substance abuse disorder. Chief Mills and all of our law enforcement members know that such a condition puts more strain on families, and often negatively impacts the children in those families.

Head Start programs can also save a lot of money for taxpayers. Studies have shown that Head Start can return, on average, a “profit” (economic benefit minus costs) to society of nearly $11,000 for every child served.

Chief Mills had the opportunity to visit classrooms at his local Head Start program, the Magic Years Center in Augusta, and saw firsthand the amazing work being done there.

Augusta Police Chief Jared Mills high-fives a child at the local Magic Years Center, which offers Head Start programming.