Kansas Head Start Association Raises Concerns over Federal Proposal to Overhaul Head Start Program Standards
August 12, 2026
Lawrence, Kansas — On August 7th, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would negatively impact Head Start programs in Kansas: Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs. The Kansas Head Start Association (KHSA) warns that this broad-sweeping proposal would eliminate nearly all existing standards that have made the Head Start model so effective, replacing them with a 90% shorter version.
The existing regulations distinguish Head Start as a comprehensive and effective program. KHSA is concerned that removing these requirements will create confusion, result in inconsistencies for children and families, and threaten program stability.
The proposed changes include:
Eliminating Head Start-specific classroom ratios and group sizes. The existing requirements keep children safe and ensure that every child in a Head Start classroom receives the individualized attention we know they need to learn and thrive.
Removing key requirements for serving children with disabilities and multilingual learners. Head Start has a long-standing commitment to ensuring that all children access the services and support they need to help them fully participate and succeed. Removing these requirements undermines this commitment.
Reducing the ability of Head Start programs to use federal funding for the everyday operational costs associated with service delivery. Such restrictions could force local programs to cut staff, scale back on comprehensive services, or serve fewer children.
Removing quality standards for learning environments, child development, child safety, services to pregnant women, and family partnerships. Weakening these standards would remove existing protections and decrease opportunities for some of our youngest and most vulnerable children.
Since 1965, Head Start programs have provided comprehensive, high-quality early learning, health, development, and family support services. Head Start’s effectiveness is backed by decades of research demonstrating that this comprehensive approach leads to positive short- and long-term outcomes for children and families. KHSA emphasizes that Head Start is often one of the only sources of high-quality early learning and family support services available in rural and underserved communities. These proposed rules put access at risk for 6,200 young children and families across Kansas communities.
“Head Start programs in our communities are vital to the well-being of our youngest Kansans. For over 60 years, Head Start programs have created opportunities, offered hope, and strengthened futures. They rely on consistent and clear requirements to deliver the high-quality Head Start services that children deserve. Such large-scale changes to the program threaten to jeopardize the tremendous and long-lasting impact that Head Start offers children and families,” said Heather Schrotberger, Executive Director of the Kansas Head Start Association.
The proposal is open for public comment through October 6th, 2026. Existing Head Start standards remain in effect, and KHSA wants families and communities to know that Kansas programs continue to operate under those existing requirements throughout the federal rulemaking process, offering the same high-quality early learning opportunities that children and families have always expected and deserved.
KHSA needs parents, educators, community members, and all Head Start champions to utilize the federal public comment process. The public comment process is an important opportunity to share how these proposed changes would impact outcomes for Head Start children and families.
About Head Start in Kansas
The Kansas Head Start Association partners with Kansas Head Start programs to strengthen opportunities for Head Start staff, children, families, and communities. Head Start programs in Kansas provide intensive, comprehensive early education to 6,200 young children through Head Start preschool services and Early Head Start services for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. Head Start is a proven investment in children, families, and local economies—supporting school readiness, helping parents work, and connecting families to critical health and social services.
