TEXAS (August 13, 2026) – On Thursday, August 6, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families released proposed changes to the regulation of Head Start. Dubbed “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs,” the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) removes significant federal regulations, decreases allowable administrative costs from 15% to 5%, emphasizes English-language instruction in most programs, and shifts many program standards toward state and local requirements.

CHILDREN AT RISK will gather child advocates and early childhood stakeholders from key states across the country for a virtual press conference on Thursday, August 13th  at 9:00 AM CT. The conversation will detail the potential implications of the proposed rule on each state’s providers, families, and larger communities.

“Few programs in American history have had such a profoundly positive impact on breaking the cycle of poverty as Head Start,” said Dr. Bob Sanborn, president & CEO of CHILDREN AT RISK. “Why fix something that isn’t broken?”

For more than 60 years, Head Start has combined early childhood education with health, family engagement, and other supports for children and families with low incomes. The proposed rule would significantly change the federal standards governing how those services are delivered, giving states and local programs greater discretion over many aspects of program operation.

During the press conference, early childhood leaders will examine how those changes could play out differently across states, particularly in communities where state child care requirements differ from existing Head Start standards. Speakers will discuss the potential impact on program operations, staffing, family engagement, health and developmental services, and the consistency of care available to children.

The conversation will also examine what a greater reliance on state and local standards could mean for Head Start providers across Texas, Alabama, and Florida, as well as the questions advocates and families should be asking during the federal public comment period.

Head Start and Early Head Start create positive intergenerational outcomes, including a decrease in the likelihood of adult poverty and a reduction in reliance on public assistance.

As of 2025 in Texas:

• Is home to 464,698 low-income children with working parents.
• Has the capacity to provide 148,675 subsidy seats for qualifying children. 
• All together, Head Start and Early Head Start provide affordable, high-quality child care for  69,450 children.

As of 2025 in Florida:

• Over 236,487 Florida children under 6 live in poverty.
• 44,992 children under the age of 6 are enrolled in Head Start.
• Head Start programs in Florida only have the funding to serve 19% of all young children living in poverty.

As of 2025 in Alabama:

• Altogether, Head Start and Early Head Start provide affordable, high-quality child care for 12,548 children.
• Of the families served in Alabama, 7,075 have one or more parents employed, in school, or in job training.

##

About CHILDREN AT RISK

CHILDREN AT RISK is a research and advocacy nonprofit leading the way in improving the quality of life for Texas children. CHILDREN AT RISK considers the whole child by tracking issues in children’s health, safety, education, and economic security to improve equity and justice for all Texas families. Committed to action beyond the data, CHILDREN AT RISK drives evidence-based change by speaking out on behalf of children. For more information, visit childrenatrisk.org, Facebook, and Twitter.