On August 6, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the most significant Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Head Start Program Performance Standards in its decades-long history.
The NPRM is the first stage in a long process—one that can take time and potentially undergo significant revision before implementation. It is important that programs continue to operate as usual and families continue to seek the services that Head Start offers. It is also important to note that the NPRM does not currently cut funding. While First Five Nebraska acknowledges that streamlining of Head Start requirements could mean better services for the nation’s low-income children and families, simply removing them without a better, more flexible standard hinders local control rather than empowering it. That’s why it is essential to make your voice heard.
Head Start serves more than 700,000 children across the country, including up to 5,000 in Nebraska, helping parents work, strengthening local economies and helping ensure every child receives a strong start. The program is run at the local level but is funded by federal dollars and community matching dollars under a federally regulated framework.
Head Start families and program staff deserve flexibility—but not at the cost of quality, safety and the comprehensive services they otherwise may not receive but for Head Start. That is why First Five Nebraska, in partnership with the Nebraska Head Start Association and other early childhood partners, is mobilizing families, child care providers, advocates, community leaders and educators to ensure federal officials protect the quality of Head Start’s proven model for delivering positive outcomes for the nation’s lowest income families.
Why This Proposal Matters
The proposed rule would remove or substantially reduce many federal Head Start requirements, including standards related to staff-to-child ratios, class size, health screenings, disability services, family engagement, transportation, prenatal services and other critical supports. While Head Start programs are locally operated, national standards help ensure every child, regardless of socioeconomic background, receives essential services across the country. Head Start’s strength comes from combining local flexibility with consistent national standards.
What’s at Stake in the Proposal
- Reductions in budgets that cover program costs: Reducing the cap on administrative functions from 15% to 5% would strain Head Start programs’ operations (such as personnel and fiscal oversight, as well as facilities costs). This is especially true for those programs with less organizational or community support. The federal administration acknowledged that only 3.7% of Head Start grants nationwide meet the proposed threshold.
- Arbitrary Enforcement Decisions: Lack of clarity in the proposal for how Head Start programs are to carry out various requirements under the federal Head Start Act could leave them vulnerable to unfair or arbitrary enforcement decisions made in Washington, D.C.
- Differences in Program Quality: A key strength of Head Start is its proven model of consistent quality, regardless of socioeconomic background. The proposed changes could leave many families without the same standard of service as others, especially those served by programs with less organizational or community support.
- Elimination of Best Practices: Dropping best practices for health, disability support and parent involvement could lead to uneven results. This could mean some children’s needs are identified later when solutions are more costly and time-consuming.
How You Can Make Your Voice Heard
There is a 60-day public comment period. The public has until October 6 to weigh in. We encourage Head Start supporters, families, providers and community partners to review the proposal and submit a public comment against the proposed changes. You can learn more on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) from First Five Nebraska: Administrative Policy – First Five Nebraska. To submit your comment at the Federal Register, please click here: Federal Register: Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs
Where to Learn More
- See the Core Elements of Head Start guide from the First Five Years Fund (FFYF), one of our national partners.
- FFYF polling shows Head Start is still very popular with voters across all backgrounds.
- Read what the National Head Start Association says about how new rules should be judged in their article, “Fewer Rules Cannot Mean Fewer Results.”
