Head Start and Social Safety Net Programs
Last updated: 09/16/2026

Click here to be directed to TFC's Federal CCDF webpage for other federal child care updates

Click here for TFC's Head Start NPRM Comment Guide and Template

Submit formal comments via the Federal Register before the October 6, 2026 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time

Head Start Updates

NEW! National Head Start Association Releases Initial Draft of Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Head Start Performance Standards

08/07 Head Start NPRM Released: What Programs and Advocates Need to Know

The highly anticipated Head Start NPRM was released Thursday, August 6th. In brief, the NPRM removes all of the existing Head Start Program Performance Standards and replaces them with a few short, politically motivated standards.

Instead of evidence-based best practices, the new standards would:

Require all classroom instruction be in English only
Eliminate evidence-based teacher-child ratio and group size requirements that support classroom quality, safety, and individualized learning.
Remove key requirements related to serving children with disabilities, raising concerns about equitable access to the services and supports that help children fully participate and thrive alongside their peers.
Impose new administrative cost caps on local programs that, when combined with years of funding challenges, could force many programs to reduce staffing or services.

OVERVIEW: For a brief overview, see Start Early’s summary here . For more details, watch the August 12 webinar on this Linktree from Start Early.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Head Start California calls on our fellow advocates to join us in opposing these harmful rules. We urge you and your networks to submit formal comments via the Federal Register before the October 6, 2026 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time deadline. Resources for commenting will be shared soon.

CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH: Congressional outreach is also underway. Mark your calendars for a call in day on Thursday, August 12. For call in materials and regular updates and resources, sign up here for HSC’s NPRM updates.

Head Start Actions & Resources

Join the Head Start Communications Network

Action Items

NEW: Parent Action Toolkit
Click to comment portal: Oppose Proposed Changes to Head Start (NWLC)
MomsRising’s Protect Head Start Call-In Line Social Media Toolkit - Google Docs
Protecting Head Start's Future | Linktree (Start Early)
A Simple Guide to Submitting a Public Comment (Start Early)
Post on social media using the hashtags #HeadStartWorks, #ProtectHeadStart, and #HeadStartMatters

Tag your members of Congress and Head Start CA

Resources, Reports, and Factsheets:

Understanding the NPRM

Head Start NPRM key takeaways - Google Docs (Start Early)
What Programs Need to Know - Early Childhood Chats with NWLC

Audio: https://childhoodchats.transistor.fm/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/JCkAsSwCldY

Social Safety Net Programs

Immediate Action Items

Organizational Sign-On: Urge Congress to Cosponsor Upcoming Bill Repealing Recent SNAP Cuts

Sen. Lujan (D-NM) and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representative Hayes (D-CT) and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Craig (D-MN) will introduce “The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025,” in the Senate and House. This sign-on letter urges Members of Congress to cosponsor the bill.

FFYF 5 Actions to Take
Sign-on Letter to Save SNAP & Federal Anti-Poverty Programs to Rep. Valadao
The Children's Partnership Medi-Cal/Medicaid Action Center
Tell your story of how social services programs have impacted you

From CCRC: Help us gather stories about the positive impact in your family or program from receiving services through Covered California or MediCal (Medicaid), SNAP, Head Start and Subsidized child care. CCRC is collecting stories and working to create videos to share the positive impact these public investments have on the lives of California Families. You can either be a current program participant or an alumnus of the services. You can find the submission form at this link: https://ccrc.to/headstartworks

Resources, Reports, and Factsheets:

Senate Committee Approves FY 2026 Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Bill 07/30/2025

CCDBG - $8.83 billion, an $85 million increase from FY 2025
Head Start - $12.36 billion, an $85 million increase from FY 2025
Preschool Development Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) - $315 million, level with FY 2025
Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) - $75 million, level with FY 2025