For decades, Head Start has been a national leader in serving young children with disabilities. The Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) do much more than make broad promises to serve children with disabilities: they give programs specific expectations for welcoming, identifying, including and supporting them and their families.
On August 6, the federal government released proposed changes to the HSPPS that would eliminate nearly all requirements for how programs must support children with disabilities, including rules to ensure full participation, provide individualized supports, prevent exclusion and coordinate with families and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) agencies. In its place would be general instruction for programs to follow all applicable federal and state laws.
Here’s what Head Start’s current standards make possible, and what could be lost if the proposed changes are finalized:
- Head Start turns the promise of inclusion into practice. The standards make clear that children cannot be denied enrollment based on disability and that they must be supported to participate fully. They also encourage local educational agencies to serve children with disabilities in inclusive settings in their home Head Start programs whenever possible. Without these standards, children would often be required to travel elsewhere during the program day for their services, or families would have to choose between keeping their child at Head Start or receiving disability supports. Even Head Start’s transportation standards promote inclusion by requiring children with disabilities to ride alongside other enrolled children whenever possible.
- Head Start supports children with disabilities regardless of IDEA eligibility. Head Start supports children with disabilities, even when they do not qualify for IDEA services. The current standards require programs to meet the needs of children with disabilities “including but not limited to” those eligible for services under IDEA. Because IDEA eligibility can vary from state to state, a child with similar developmental needs may qualify for services in one state but not another. Head Start’s standards guarantee that families can expect the same support no matter where they are.
- Head Start identifies concerns early and helps families become advocates for their children for years to come. Head Start does not wait for a child to arrive with a diagnosis or for a family to ask how to navigate the disability process. Programs must complete developmental screenings for every enrolled child within 45 days of when they first attend the program. When concerns arise, programs must work with families to pursue further evaluation and connect children with appropriate services and supports. Then, they help families become lifelong advocates for their children. Staff help families understand their rights, navigate evaluations and services and participate actively in the IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) or IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. This builds families’ knowledge and confidence to advocate for their child throughout their educational journey.
If finalized, the proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards would weaken the program’s inclusive practices and individualized supports – core elements of the Head Start model.
Children with disabilities deserve to be welcomed, included and supported in early childhood programs. Add your voice by submitting a public comment by October 6.
