Testimony of Elizabeth Boodosingh: Healthy Futures is Essential to DC Kids Education

Good afternoon, Chairperson and members of the DC Council, 

My name is Elizabeth Boodosingh, and I have been an early childhood educator for over two decades—twenty five years in New York and the last five here in Washington, D.C. I currently serve as a lead teacher working with two-and-a-half to three-year-olds in a classroom of sixteen children at Everstand Early Learning Program in Ward 7. I come before you today to speak not only as an educator but as an advocate for the well-being of our youngest learners and to urge you not to cut funding for the Healthy Futures program. 

Every day in my classroom, I see firsthand the emotional and behavioral challenges that young children experience. They come to school carrying big emotions, difficult experiences, and developmental needs that require specialized support. Some struggle with emotional regulation, others with sensory sensitivities, and many are still learning the language to express how they feel. 

This is where Healthy Futures has been a game-changer. The support we receive from Ms. Penny, our consultant, has transformed how we help children navigate their emotions. She not only provides targeted interventions for children who need extra support but also equips us as educators with effective strategies—strategies that I would not have had the bandwidth to develop on my own, given the realities of working with a classroom of 16 children and only two teachers. 

One of my students, for example, struggles with sensory overload and becomes overwhelmed in loud environments. Through guidance from Healthy Futures, I created a “cozy corner”—a safe space where this child and others can regulate their emotions and re-enter the classroom environment when they’re ready. Another child, who had significant difficulty expressing frustration, benefited from visual emotional regulation charts and structured one-on-one support—interventions that Healthy Futures helped us implement. These strategies work, and they make a tangible difference in children’s ability to learn, engage, and grow in a safe, nurturing environment. 

But let me be clear: not all children respond to the same strategies, and without expert guidance, educators are left to navigate these challenges alone. The presence of Healthy Futures ensures that teachers, families, and children have access to the right tools, at the right time. If this program is cut, it will not only increase the burden on educators but will directly harm children—especially those most in need of early intervention and support.

As an educator, I know that it only takes one caring adult to make a difference in a child’s life. For me, that person was my cousin—an educated role model who instilled in me the value of learning and perseverance. But not all children have that person at home, and in those cases, school must fill that gap. Healthy Futures allows us to be that support system, to create safe learning environments, and to intervene before small struggles become lifelong challenges. 

We cannot afford to take this lifeline away from our children. We must invest in their emotional well-being as much as we invest in their academics, because without emotional stability, learning cannot happen. Cutting funding for Healthy Futures is not just a financial decision—it is a decision that will shape the trajectory of our most vulnerable children. 

I urge you to stand with educators, families, and—most importantly—our children by fully funding the Healthy Futures program. When we invest in early childhood mental health, we invest in the long-term success of our communities. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.