Hawaiʻi Head Start officials monitor proposed federal performance standards changes

As the federal government considers proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Executive Office on Early Learning and the Hawaiʻi Head Start Collaboration Office remain committed to ensuring children and families continue to have access to the high-quality early learning services. 

If adopted, the proposed rule would shift oversight of many Head Start performance standards from the federal government to individual states. While the proposal remains in the federal rulemaking process and no immediate changes have been made, Hawaiʻi officials are closely monitoring developments.

“Head Start has long been one of our nation’s most successful investments in children and families,” said Dr. Ephraim Schwab, director of the Hawaiʻi Head Start Collaboration Office. “For generations, Head Start has helped prepare children for success in school while connecting families to critical health, developmental and family support services. As conversations continue at the federal level, our priority remains ensuring that Hawaiʻi’s youngest learners continue to receive the comprehensive, high-quality services they deserve.”

Head Start serves children from birth to age five and their families through comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, mental health, disability and family engagement services. In Hawaiʻi, Head Start programs play an especially vital role by serving families with the greatest need by helping children build the social, emotional, language and cognitive skills that lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Head Start currently serves 2,400 children and families across the islands.

“The first five years of life are a critical period of brain development,” said Yuuko Arikawa-Cross, director of the Executive Office on Early Learning. “High-quality early childhood programs like Head Start help children develop the skills they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond while providing families with resources and support that strengthen entire communities. We remain committed to partnering with Head Start programs across Hawaiʻi to ensure children continue receiving the best possible start in life.”

Since its creation in 1965, Head Start has established nationally recognized performance standards that help ensure consistent quality across the country. These standards address everything from teacher qualifications and classroom environments to health screenings, family partnerships, nutrition, safety and continuous program improvement.

As the federal rulemaking process moves forward, both agencies will continue working closely with local Head Start grantees, state and federal partners and the National Head Start Association, to better understand the proposal and advocate for policies that support Hawaiʻi’s children and families.

Families currently enrolled in Head Start should know that services will remain unchanged.

Local families are encouraged to stay informed through official federal announcements.

The proposed rule is currently open for public review and comment. Community members, Head Start families, educators and stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposal and submit comments through the US Department of Health and Human Services. Information about the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and instructions for submitting public comments are available at: Head Start Proposed Rulemaking.