August 7, 2026
Yesterday the Department of Health & Human Services released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled, “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs.”
Susan Gale Perry, CCAoA Chief Executive Officer, issued the following statement.
"Child Care Aware of America is doing its due diligence to carefully review the Administration’s plan to make significant changes to Head Start. Our early read raises real concerns. While we welcome changes that reduce bureaucratic paperwork and unnecessary burdens on Head Start grantees, we will not support any proposals that do away with what we know children facing the most barriers need for their healthy development and learning.
For more than 60 years, Head Start has earned bipartisan support because it produces real and measurable benefits for children and families—in healthy development, educational attainment, and economic well-being. Any changes to Head Start should build on that record, not undermine it."
The proposed rule is open for a 60-day public comment period. CCAoA will complete its review of the proposal and submit feedback and encourages others to share their comments. The 60-day comment period will end on October 6, 2026.
