MORIAH BALINGIT Education Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks during an event on prescription drug prices in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Judge blocks Trump administration from purging DEI-related terms from Head Start grant applications

January 8, 2026

A federal judge has directed the Trump administration to stop purging words it associates with diversity, equity and inclusion from Head Start grant applications and barred it from laying off any more federal employees in the federal Office of Head Start. The decision follows an April lawsuit by organizations representing Head Start providers and parents. They are challenging the Department of Health and Human Services’ attempts to exclude children in the U.S. illegally and ban language associated with DEI efforts. A Health and Human Services spokesperson said he could not comment on the judge’s order.

Trump officials bar Head Start providers from using ‘women’ and ‘race’ in grant applications

January 5, 2026

The Trump administration is telling Head Start providers to avoid dozens of terms in federal grant applications, including “race,” “belonging” and “pregnant people.” The directive could reshape the early education program. A coalition of organizations representing Head Start providers and parents said in court filings last month that the Department of Health and Human Services told a Head Start director in Wisconsin to cut those and over a dozen other terms from her application. President Donald Trump’s administration associates the terms with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, which it has vowed to root out across the government.

Families leave CentroNia at the end of the school day in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump’s crackdown on immigration is taking a toll on child care workers

December 9, 2025

President Donald Trump’s push for the largest mass deportation in history has had an outsized impact on the child care field, which is heavily reliant on immigrants and already strained by a worker shortage. Immigrant child care workers and preschool teachers, the majority of whom are working and living in the U.S. legally, say they are wracked by anxiety over possible encounters with ICE officials. Some have left the field, and others have been forced out by changes to immigration policy. About one-fifth of the child care workforce is Latino, and one-fifth were born outside the United States.

Michael Dell, left, his wife Susan and President Donald Trump listen during an event on "Trump Accounts" for kids in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

With ‘Trump Accounts,’ your baby could qualify for $1,000. Here’s what to know

December 2, 2025

President Donald Trump’s tax legislation included a provision called “Trump Accounts,” which gives $1,000 to every newborn if their parents open an account. This money is invested in the stock market, and children can access it when they turn 18. The accounts aim to help low-income children build wealth. Congress is funding accounts for babies born between 2025 and 2028. Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell on Tuesday announced a donation to help some older children with seed money of $250 each. Critics argue the accounts don’t help children in their early years and may widen the wealth gap. Parents can sign up now, and the accounts will start to open in July 2026.

Taylor Moyer's two youngest boys Colton, 4, behind, and Bradley, 2, eat strawberries at home, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Virginia Beach, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)

WIC food program receives $300M to keep running during government shutdown

October 10, 2025

The Trump administration has provided a $300 million infusion to a food aid program for low-income mothers and children, easing concerns about funding during the government shutdown. The program for women, infants and children — known as WIC — supports over 6 million people. It was at risk of running out of money this month because of the shutdown. This week, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the government would use tariff revenues to keep the program running. By Thursday, some states, including Alaska and Washington, received funds to continue operations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs WIC.

Law enforcement officer from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) walking back to their vehicle after responding to a emergency call in Franklin Park in downtown Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

A law enforcement surge has taken a toll on children of immigrants in Washington schools

September 17, 2025

An immigration crackdown in Washington has taken a toll on children attending the district’s schools. Some children have had their parents swept up in the law enforcement surge. Other students fear they or their family members could be next. Mindful that some parents were afraid of leaving home, volunteers began organizing “walking buses” to accompany groups of children by foot from apartment buildings to schools. Research has linked immigration raids near schools to lower academic outcomes. The scenes are likely to be replicated elsewhere as President Donald Trump dispatches federal agents to the streets of other big cities. Department of Homeland Security officials say Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have not entered schools to make arrests.

A parent and student arrive on the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Teachers sue over Trump’s immigration crackdown, saying students are staying home

September 10, 2025

Labor unions representing educators and school employees are suing President Donald Trump’s administration over its immigration crackdown. The unions argue arrests near schools terrorize children and teachers, leading some students to drop out. The lawsuit by the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers claims the Republican administration’s decision to allow immigration arrests at schools violates the law. The unions Tuesday joined an ongoing lawsuit in Oregon challenging the administration’s decision to open houses of worship to immigration enforcement. Lawyers argue these actions violate the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act. Trump’s administration says criminals won’t be able to hide in schools and churches to avoid arrest.

FILE - President Donald Trump colors during a visit with a group of children at the Nationwide Children's Hospital, Aug. 24, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

What Trump’s big tax law could mean for the youngest Americans

July 8, 2025

The impact of the massive spending bill that President Donald Trump signed into law on Independence Day is expected to filter down to infants and toddlers — a segment of the population that is particularly vulnerable to cuts to the federal social safety net. Many middle-class and wealthy families will see benefits from the new legislation, but programs that help low-income families keep babies healthy have been cut back. While state money funds public schools and preschool in some cases, programs supporting the youngest children are largely backed by the federal government.

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Hagerstown Regional Airport, in Hagerstown, Md., on his was to Camp David, Md., Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Can $1,000 at birth change a child’s future? A Republican proposal aims to find out

June 9, 2025

A House Republican proposal backed by President Donald Trump would set up tax-deferred investment accounts with $1,000 for infants born across the U.S. It builds on the concept of baby bonds, which some cities have begun introducing as a way to reduce gaps between wealthy people and poor people. But while other programs generally target disadvantaged groups, this one would be available to families of all incomes. Critics say the accounts would worsen inequality. Trump’s Republican administration says the accounts would “empower American children to reap the American Dream with a strong financial foundation.”

MORIAH BALINGIT Education Writer.