Department of Health and Human Services officials announced changes to the Head Start early education program, aiming to reduce regulatory burdens and administrative costs for agencies while increasing available slots and aligning with other governmental mandates.<\/p>\n
The move will shift structures at institutions currently charged with the care of the over 60,000 Texas children under age 5 enrolled in the national program. More than 30 facilities offer Head Start or Early Head Start programs in Tarrant County, according to the program\u2019s website.<\/a><\/p>\n Proposed changes will remove what HHS views as \u201conerous regulations\u201d and performance standards that are \u201coverly prescriptive, constrain flexibility, and impede coordination with state and local requirements,\u201d according to the notice of proposed rulemaking document published today.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are removing unnecessary bureaucracy, strengthening nutrition and physical health, trusting parents and local communities, and opening Head Start to hundreds of thousands more children,\u201d Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a release. \u201cThat\u2019s how we renew the promise of Head Start for the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n Proposed changes would require agencies to:<\/p>\n No funding is being cut from Head Start, which was first launched in 1965 and is allocated $12 billion annually by the federal government.\u00a0<\/p>\n The proposal is projected to preserve or expand as many as 236,000 Head Start slots nationwide and save $2.2 billion, according to the release.<\/p>\n What is Head Start?<\/p>\n The Head Start program was started by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 as part of his War on Poverty. The comprehensive child development program looked to help communities meet the needs of disadvantaged preschool children. The program continued to grow and, in 1998, saw the inclusion of Early Head Start, meant to service children below the age of 3.<\/p>\n Through a federal-to-local funding model, Head Start takes the billions of dollars allocated by Congress and distributes them through state agencies to school districts, nonprofit and for-profit groups, faith-based institutions, tribal councils and other organizations. In the 2024 fiscal year, Texas agencies in Head Start, Early Head Start and the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start received nearly $830 million.<\/p>\n Programming eligibility for enrolled agencies is dictated by Head Start requirements. Eligible children are those whose families meet the federal low-income guidelines<\/a>. Children in the foster care system or experiencing homelessness are also eligible. Programs can accept a limited number of those who do not meet those criteria.<\/p>\n Tarrant\u2019s Head Start facilities are operated by Child Care Associates and Center for Transforming Lives, two county nonprofits providing early learning programs regionwide. Nationally, 1,600 organizations and school districts participate in the program.<\/p>\n In a statement provided to the Fort Worth Report, Child Care Associates President and CEO Kara Waddell said the organization was aware of the federal notice and is currently focusing on \u201cwelcoming young learners and their families\u201d as programs begin this month.<\/p>\n \u201cFor nearly 60 years, CCA has worked to ensure every child, regardless of neighborhood or circumstance, can access quality early learning and care. That doesn\u2019t change,\u201d Waddell said in her statement. \u201cAnd as always, if Austin or D.C. policymakers can benefit from our local voice and experience, then we\u2019re always pleased to offer our insights as to how young children thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Carol Klocek, president and CEO for the Center for Transforming Lives, said her nonprofit has not received official guidance on potential Head Start changes.\u00a0<\/p>\n In her statement to the Report, Klocek emphasized Head Start is the \u201cgold standard when it comes to early childhood education,\u201d and that standards from the state and federal level ensure safety, help identify and support children living in poverty or homelessness, and catch potential development delays early.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s an incredible two-generation, family centered program that allows parents to work and build their long-term financial stability while supporting the child\u2019s development at the same time,\u201d Klocek said in her statement.<\/p>\n The HHS proposal is open to public feedback for 60 days starting Friday, which can be submitted here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the nonprofit editor for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from North Texas Community Foundation. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n