Protect the Standards That Help Children and Families Thrive
For more than 60 years, Head Start has helped children and families thrive by bringing together high-quality early learning, health, nutrition, developmental supports and meaningful family engagement.
Today, those services, and the standards that help make them possible, are at risk.
On August 6, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed significant changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the standards that guide Head Start programs in providing high-quality, comprehensive services to children and families across the country.
Start Early opposes the proposed changes. And through Together for Head Start, we are joining organizations, providers, educators, families and advocates across the country to protect and strengthen Head Start. Now, we need your voice.
HHS is accepting public comments on the proposed rule through October 6, 2026. This is an important opportunity for people who care about Head Start to tell federal decision-makers what these standards mean to children, families and communities and why they should be protected.
Add Your Voice to the Movement
You do not need to be a policy expert to make a difference.
If you are a Head Start parent, educator, alum, provider, community member, advocate or simply someone who believes every child deserves a strong start, your experience matters.
A public comment is simply your opportunity to tell the federal government what you think about the proposed changes to the standards before they make amendments or finalize the proposed rule. We’ve made it easy to participate.
In collaboration with a broad coalition of national and regional allies, Start Early launched Together for Head Start—a nationwide campaign to build support among early childhood professionals, families and advocates. The campaign highlights the urgent threats facing Head Start and mobilizes communities and policymakers to protect and sustain the program.
Since 1985, Start Early has provided 
