The federal government has proposed changes to the rules that guide every Head Start program. Here's how to tell them why strong standards matter.
For more than 60 years, Head Start has given children and families facing the greatest challenges a strong start. It covers early learning, health and developmental screenings, mental health support, nutrition, services for children with disabilities, and a real voice for parents in their child's education. It has set the national standard for high-quality early childhood education.
Now those standards are at risk.
In August, the federal government proposed a rule called Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs. It would change the Head Start Program Performance Standards, which are the rules every Head Start program in the country follows. The public can comment on the proposal until October 6.
What's at stake
Everyone supports cutting red tape so programs can spend more time with kids and families. But our partners at Community Action, which runs Head Start and Early Head Start in Washington County, warn that many of these proposed changes would weaken services families count on, including:
- Barriers for families in crisis. The proposal would end self-attestation, which lets families experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence enroll without paperwork they may not have. Adding documentation requirements could delay or block access for the very families Head Start was built to serve.
- Larger class sizes and fewer staff. Children in Head Start often need more one-on-one support, not less. Bigger classrooms make it harder for teachers to build relationships and respond to each child's needs.
- Fewer screenings and disability services. Head Start is often a family's first connection to developmental screenings, early intervention, and medical and dental care. Weakening these expectations means children could miss support during the years it matters most.
- Less mental health support at a time when children, families, and early educators need it more than ever.
- A cut to administrative funding from 15% to 5%. That money pays for the finance, HR, IT, facilities, and compliance work that keeps programs running and accountable for public dollars.
Why this matters here
At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, we know that strong early learning is one of the best investments a community can make. Research shows that every dollar invested in high-quality early childhood programs returns $7 to $9 through better educational, health, and economic outcomes. Studies of Head Start in particular have found lasting gains in high school graduation, college attendance, and adult earnings.
Those results don't come from preschool alone. They come from Head Start's whole-child approach. Children can't fully thrive in the classroom when they're dealing with untreated health needs, hunger, housing instability, or trauma. Head Start's comprehensive services make the learning possible.
Add your voice by October 6
Every comment counts, and comments in your own words carry the most weight. You don't need to be a policy expert. If you're a Head Start parent, educator, alum, health provider, employer, or neighbor who cares about kids, your perspective matters.
How to comment:
- Go to the proposed rule on the Federal Register: federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16134/reducing-federal-burden-for-head-start-programs
- Click the green "Submit a Public Comment" button at the top of the page.
- Type your comment in the comment field, or attach it as a file.
- Submit by October 6.
Tips for an effective comment:
- Share your story. Tell them how Head Start has made a difference for you, your family, or your community.
- Be specific. Name the changes you're concerned about, like class sizes, screenings, or self-attestation, and explain why they matter.
- Keep it short. A few heartfelt paragraphs are plenty.
Head Start works because of its standards. Let's make sure they stay strong for the children and families who count on them.