Proposed Rule Could Create Up to 236,000 New Slots While Strengthening Focus on Health and Nutrition
WASHINGTON, DC–The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) unveiled a new proposed rule, “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,” aimed at delivering on President Donald J. Trump’s vision to expand access, reduce red tape, and refocus the program on its core mission of preparing America’s most vulnerable children for success.
“Head Start began as a bold commitment to the health, dignity, and potential of every child. My uncle, Sarge Shriver, founded the program on a simple conviction: strong families, wholesome nutrition, and healthy childhood development can change the course of a child’s life,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Today, we are returning Head Start to those roots. We are removing unnecessary bureaucracy, strengthening nutrition and physical health, trusting parents and local communities, and opening Head Start to hundreds of thousands more children. That’s how we renew the promise of Head Start for the next generation.”
The Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) restores flexibility to programs to meet local needs, reduces regulatory burden and administrative costs, and aims to increase available slots and services for families. It is projected to preserve or expand as many as 236,000 Head Start slots nationwide and save $2.2 billion — the largest known reinvestment in the program since its creation 61 years ago. It also preserves the federal to local program model, allowing ACF to refocus compliance and accountability on core statutory priorities while also upholding the local decision-making that has been integral to Head Start since its inception.