The federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, which guide how Head Start and Early Head Start programs operate. CEO is continuing to review the proposal and is developing a formal organizational comment ahead of the October 6, 2026 public-comment deadline. Some of the proposed changes involve:
- Eligibility and enrollment documentation
- Administrative costs
- Staff-to-child ratios and group size
- Services for children with disabilities
- English-language instruction
- Program hours and service requirements
- Other Head Start operating standards
CEO supports efforts to modernize Head Start, reduce unnecessary administrative burden, and provide programs with reasonable local flexibility. At the same time, we are reviewing where proposed changes could affect services.
Staff Can Comment Too
Employees who have experience with Head Start may also choose to submit an individual public comment. You do not need to comment on the entire proposal. A thoughtful comment about one issue you know well can be valuable. Consider sharing:
- What helps you serve children and families effectively
- How current staffing, ratios, or program requirements work in practice
- What supports or resources are important to program quality
- Examples of how Head Start standards affect children, families, or staff
- Concerns, questions, or recommendations related to a proposed change
Specific examples and firsthand experience can help federal officials understand what a proposed change may mean in practice. Individual comments should reflect your own experience and perspective. Unless specifically authorized, employees should not identify themselves as speaking on behalf of CEO. CEO will submit a separate formal comment representing the organization.