Sweeping Changes Would Threaten Head Start’s Impact for Kansas Children and Families

Heather Schrotberger, Executive Director, Kansas Head Start Association | September 18, 2026

Since it was established 61 years ago, Head Start has offered hope and opportunity to our youngest Kansans. But a new proposed rule by the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services would replace the existing Head Start quality standards with a significantly reduced set of standards. 

Introduced in 1965 as an anti-poverty program under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration, Head Start has grown nationally from an eight-week program for preschoolers to a comprehensive high-quality program with multigenerational support for pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and their families. Head Start programs in Kansas touch the lives of more than 6,200 young children and their families each year. The Head Start workforce in Kansas includes nearly 2,500 dedicated individuals, working daily to make sure Kansas children and families thrive.  

Head Start is different from child care or state pre-K. Head Start identifies a child who hasn't seen a dentist, connects families to housing help, and works with parents on their own goals. Head Start serves children who often cannot get early care and education in other places, such as kids with disabilities and in rural areas.

The proposed large-scale changes to the program threaten to jeopardize the tremendous and long-lasting impact that Head Start offers children and families. If finalized, this rule would: 

• Eliminate existing science-based requirements for educational quality, child safety, health, mental health, and dental services, and developmental screenings that help children arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed. 
• Eliminate the recommended evidence-based teacher/child ratios and group sizes that allow strong teaching, individualized learning experiences, and child safety. 
• Eliminate standards that ensure new moms and their infants receive essential screenings and services at the medically necessary times. 
• Eliminate key requirements for serving children with disabilities. 
• Reduce the role of parents in shaping the Head Start program in their community, including fewer parent engagement opportunities, and less parent choice. 

Head Start believes reducing administrative burden and expanding services is a goal worth discussing, but these sweeping changes to the Head Start model will weaken quality and consistency, limit services, and may create significant differences in the Head Start experience from one Kansas community to another. 

Because these changes could significantly reshape the future of Head Start, it is critical that federal officials receive feedback on the proposal. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is open for public comment HERE through October 6. KHSA encourages all Head Start partners and champions to submit comments. Your voice can help protect the future of Head Start. 

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