New Proposed Early Head Start & Head Start Rule: Key Updates for Families

Early Head Start & Head Start Proposed Rule Changes

Information for Families, Staff, Educators & Community Members

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has proposed changes to the federal standards that guide Early Head Start and Head Start programs across the country. These proposed changes could affect how services are delivered, who may qualify for services, classroom experiences, home-based programs, and other areas that impact children and families. – Click here.

No changes have been approved yet. A public comment period is currently open, giving families, staff, educators, and community members an opportunity to share feedback before any final decisions are made.

The Early Head Start & Head Start Programs Performance Standards are the framework that guides the comprehensive services Early Head Start & Head Start programs provide to children and families nationwide. Any proposed changes deserve careful review, thoughtful discussion, and informed participation from our community.

This process matters. By law, every public comment must be reviewed and considered before a final rule is issued. While technical and policy feedback is important, the lived experiences of Early Head Start & Head Start staff, educators, program leaders, families, and communities are equally valuable in helping inform federal decision-making.

Now is the time for Early Head Start & Head Start staff and program teams to get involved. You do not need to comment on all aspects of the NPRM. You can focus on the issues that matter most to your role, your program, and the families you serve.

Take Action Today

Submit a Public Comment Before October 6

Share your experience with Early Head Start and Head Start and how proposed changes may affect children and families in your community.

Helpful Questions to Consider

• What has Early Head Start or Head Start meant to your family?
• Which services have helped your child the most?
• How important are consistent teachers and classroom support?
• How would changes to program eligibility, schedules, or home visits affect your family?
• What do you want decision makers to understand about quality early childhood programs in your community?

Submit a Public Comment

Sign the Family Support Letter

Sign the Staff Support Letter

Find Additional Resources

What Families Should Know

Some proposed changes could affect:

• Eligibility requirements for some families
• Classroom size and program structure
• Program schedules and hours of service
• Home visiting services
• Staffing and workforce requirements
• Educational and family engagement requirements

These changes are only proposals at this time and are not currently in effect.

How Head Start WEST Will Support the Early Head Start & Head Start Community

Throughout the public comment period, Head Start WEST will provide information, resources, and tools to help families, educators, staff, program leaders, and community members understand the proposed changes and participate in the public comment process. Our goal is to make this information accessible, easy to understand, and helpful as community members evaluate how the proposed changes could affect children and families.

Resources

Several efforts are underway to support your team’s effort to review, discuss and comment. Comments are critical to guide OHS’s final rule determination. Here are a few resources for you – background information, templates, talking points:

• Federal Register: Click Here
• NHSA’s NPRM Portal: Click Here
• Together for Early Head Start & Head Start Hub: Click Here
• First Five Years Fund NPRM State of Play: Click Here

Tools

In addition, tools are underdevelopment for you to guide your team discussions on how these changes will impact your program. Here are a couple tools for you to review and utilize:

• NPRM Searchable Guide(FFYF): Click Here
• Simple Guide to Submitting a Public Comment(T4HS): Click Here
• NPRM Team Discussion Template (HSW): Click Here
• Op Ed Development Guide (NAEYC): Click Here

Take Action: Here are links you can share today to take action and ask Congress to speak up on behalf of our families.

• Hold a Town Hall on Head Start (NHSA): Click Here

Reading List

Here are a few additional reports and analysis you may wish to keep close by as you guide your teams.

• Education Counsel Deep Dive: Click Here
• Children’s Equity Project Reports: Click Here
• National Institute for Early Education Research: Click Here

Updates: Yes, more change coming! Another NPRM under review at OMB. An NPRM is currently under review at OMB entitled “Ensuring Program Integrity in Head Start Programs.” This is a proposed rule, and the content of the rule is not yet available. Because it is a proposed rule, there will be a public comment period. Together for Head Start will alert the community as soon as it is removed from the OMB dashboard, which indicates that publication is imminent. This is separate from the “Reducing Burden” NPRM that is already out for public comment.