This statement can be attributed to Wendy Chun-Hoon, executive director and president of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)

Washington, D.C., August 6, 2026—Today, the Department of Health & Human Services released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled, “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs.” This NPRM would deregulate and dismantle the program’s valuable education, health, safety, and other core components by removing long-standing regulations that govern the implementation and delivery of services.

This is yet another attempt by the Trump Administration to undermine essential programs that support children and families dressed up as an effort to “streamline,” “enhance,” and “modernize.” Head Start was originally designed in 1965 to target systemic inequality, empower marginalized Black communities in the Deep South, and provide crucial health and educational resources. Today, this program is so much more and reaches far higher numbers of children and families with valuable support and services.

The NPRM’s proposed changes threaten the foundational purpose of the Head Start program: to support the school readiness of children—especially those with the lowest incomes. These detrimental changes would have long-lasting consequences and create inequities in implementation. By not responding to the diverse needs of children and families across the country, these changes would lead to inequitable impacts for children and families. For over 60 years, Head Start has been making a difference for children and families, reaching more than 40 million Americans since its founding and currently serving over 750,000 children annually. Because of the program’s significant, positive effects on children and families, we must not compromise Head Start.

CLASP opposes this rule and any effort to dismantle essential programs that support the well-being of children and families. Along with our partners, we are ready to respond and have plans to support others interested in sharing how these proposed changes will impact their family, community, or organization.

Please reach out to Stephanie Schmit at sschmit@clasp.org with questions or to engage in the comment process.