Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow and thrive. For many children and families, Head Start and Early Head Start help make that possible.
These programs provide much more than child care. They connect young children with skilled teachers, early learning, developmental support and services for children with disabilities. They also help parents access resources, build skills and create a strong foundation for their children.
Now, proposed federal changes could weaken some of the standards and supports that help these programs work.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released proposed changes on August 7. The changes could affect:
- Services for children with disabilities and developmental delays
- Classroom size, staffing and teacher qualifications
- Training and support for teachers
- The length and frequency of home visits
- Family support and engagement
- The resources programs can use to manage public funds and provide quality services
The changes are not final. The public has until October 6, 2026, to submit comments.
Your Voice Can Make a Difference
You do not need to be a policy expert to submit a public comment. If you are a current or former Head Start parent, teacher, early childhood professional, health professional, community partner or someone who cares about young children, your experience matters.
Tell federal leaders why children need qualified teachers, strong classrooms, developmental support, home visiting and family services. If you have a personal connection to Head Start or Early Head Start, share what these services have meant to you, your family or your community.
Public comments must be submitted by October 6, 2026.
Read the Policy Brief and Public Comment Guide
Suggested Public Comment
I am writing to ask the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) not to move forward with proposed changes to Head Start and Early Head Start that would reduce important supports and standards for children, families and the programs that serve them.
Head Start and Early Head Start serve children and families who often need more support, not less. These programs provide more than child care. They provide high-quality early learning, skilled teachers, developmental support, home visiting, family services and support for children with disabilities and developmental delays.
I ask HHS to:
- Keep the current administrative cost limit and do not reduce it to 5%. Programs need enough administrative capacity to responsibly manage public funds, staff, data, grants, oversight and other required work.
- Protect meaningful home visiting. Do not reduce the frequency or length of home visits in ways that could leave families with less consistent support.
- Maintain strong family support and engagement services. Supporting young children also means helping families address the challenges that can affect a child’s development and success.
- Protect services and supports for children with disabilities and developmental delays. These children may need additional time, expertise and individualized support to succeed in early learning settings.
- Maintain standards that support classroom quality and strong teachers. Children need teachers who have the training, professional support and time to meet their individual needs.
[Add 2–3 sentences about your own experience with Head Start or Early Head Start and why one or more of these services matter to you.]
Programs should be accountable for using public funds responsibly. But reducing requirements does not reduce the needs of children and families, and reducing resources does not eliminate the work required to serve them well.
Serving more families should not mean giving every family less. I ask HHS to revise the proposed rule and protect the meaningful, high-quality services that help Head Start and Early Head Start children and families succeed.Please also share this information with others. Together, we can help protect the quality of Head Start and Early Head Start for the children and families who need these programs.
