A coalition of Democrats, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, is urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to withdraw proposed changes to the Head Start program, arguing the reforms are illegal and fundamentally opposed to the program's mission.
Head Start, the nation's largest federal childcare program, serves over 700,000 children aged 3-5, aiming to provide high-quality preschool education and improve welfare outcomes for low-income families. The proposed reforms would transfer federal oversight to state programs and, according to the lawmakers, roll back approximately 90% of its performance standards.
In a letter to Secretary Kennedy, a bicameral group of Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Education Committee ranking member Bobby Scott, stated that the proposed changes represent a "brazen attempt to dismantle Head Start without regard for the hundreds of thousands of young children and working-class families who depend on these programs and services every year." They allege the changes violate the Head Start Act, the legislation authorizing the program's eligibility and standards.
Critics of the proposed rule contend that it could diminish program quality, lower disciplinary standards, lead to job losses for educators and healthcare providers, and weaken protections for students with disabilities and unhoused families. The lawmakers also assert that the changes contradict Secretary Kennedy's previous commitment to Congress to preserve Head Start.
Conversely, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services stated that any Head Start program wishing to maintain its current performance standards is welcome to do so. The department characterized the concerns as a lack of trust in Head Start directors, teachers, and parents to make decisions for the children they serve, suggesting Washington should not dictate how all 1,600 Head Start centers operate.
The department also indicated that the reforms aim to empower parents, implement new federal dietary and physical activity standards, shift governance to the states, and eliminate redundant compliance measures. The department noted it recently awarded over $200 million to Head Start for nutrition, facilities, and other services.
Historically, Head Start has seen revisions under various administrations. Since fiscal year 2016, enrollment has decreased from over 1 million children to 771,121 in FY25, according to government data. While the National Head Start Association supports reducing unnecessary burdens on programs, they believe the proposed rule goes too far.
Former Biden administration Head Start director Bernadine Futrell emphasized the program's comprehensive impact, stating, "It's more than early learning. It is an early childhood program. It's focusing on brain development, health and nutrition, healthy habits, financial literacy, economic mobility for parents, and it's a two-generational approach – where it's not just a child being served; it's the entire family that is moving to another level." The 60-day public comment period for the proposed changes is currently ending. The program was founded in 1965 by Sargent Shriver, Secretary Kennedy's uncle.