In 2023, in partnership with the National Head Start Association, Civic Mapping Initiative assessed the 16,000+ Head Start centers in the 50 states and District of Columbia. Only 42% of centers have a public transit stop within walking distance.

Critically, we found that an additional 19% could be made accessible through very low-cost investments in extending existing bus lines. These centers — more than 3,000 in total — are located less than one mile from an existing public transit stop, but are beyond walking distance for a toddler.

Read more about our project and methodology in our brief or learn more about the first new bus stops inspired by our project, located in Memphis, Tennessee.