by Allison Williams, Melinda Monroe, and Pat Holterman-Hommes
Originally published on LinkedIn on May 2, 2025
“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”
Abraham Maslow, 1966, The Psychology of Science
Nonprofit leaders pursuing change to positively impact humanity became stymied anew as they face proposed cuts to the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Proven programs supporting the well-being of our nation’s children and youth will be financially devastated by such cuts. Without change, the current administration’s sweeping changes will leave scars we will see for decades. None of us can stand idly by. And none of us alone can do what all of us can do together. Join us today in standing for the wellbeing of children and youth.
We are back with our second blog post. Nurses for Newborns, Wyman, and Youth in Need provide collective work across the lifespan that contributes to young people and families living healthier lives, achieving educational success, and reaching their full potential. We come together again as one voice because we believe and understand that the wellbeing of our nation’s people is our most important resource – and that starts with children and youth.
Proposed hammer-like cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services that were leaked in mid-April are absolutely staggering. They include:
- Eliminate Head Start
- Eliminate Early Head Start
- Eliminate part of Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grants
- Eliminate Infant and early childhood mental health programs, and
- Eliminate Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs
- And many others.
Undercutting proven programs that promote child and youth wellbeing will disintegrate a safety net that has taken years to stitch together. It risks being undone by the stroke of a pen. Nonprofits are at risk of unprecedented change. There must be an acknowledgement and an outcry by the families we serve, the boards who govern our work, the staff we employ, the partners we leverage, and the public at large to say speak your truth.
Did the infants in your life arrive to their first birthdays healthy and safe?
Did the children in your life have the best possible chance for living a healthy childhood?
Did the children in your life have access to safe before and after school care?
Did the children in your life reach developmental and educational milestones on time?
Did the children in your life learn empathy and social leadership skills?
Did the children in your life have advocates doing the work delegated by parents and family?
Did the children in your life have the supports to graduate from high school on time?
Did the children in your life reach the age of 18 without abuse, harassment, and bullying?
These are the nails being struck with one hammer. And the list is endless. Share your additions in the comments section below.
And please take the opportunity to advocate for all children now. Our recent Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, writes “To live a life of purpose should not be the privilege of a few, but an opportunity for all that we help each other nurture.” Nurturing a life of purpose and full contributions to our civil society starts with supporting the health and well-being of our nation’s most vulnerable children and youth.
What can you do?
- Understand the threat as outlined in our first blog and SHARE with as many people as possible, encouraging their understanding, and action.
- Reach out to your elected officials NOW.
- Find and contact your elected officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
- Join the Child Welfare League of America and/or sign up for news alerts. https://www.votervoice.net/CWLA/Campaigns/125305/Respond
- Learn more about the National Head Start Association: https://nhsa.org
- Stand strong in your support of nonprofits. If you are a funder, consider maximum flexibility, unrestricted dollars, and continued support as your nonprofit partners navigate through this challenging time in support of the children and youth in our communities.
- Stay informed.
Read more in this series
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