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Trump administration proposes deregulating Head Start. Here’s what parents need to know
Parents and the public can now weigh in on the Trump administrations proposed changes to Head Start regulations.
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Adriana Heldiz
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CalMatters
)
Head Start centers in Southern California say they’re operating as usual despite the Trump administration proposing a vast overhaul to the early education program.
The administration last week proposed stripping many of Head Start’s regulations, saying it would provide more local flexibility. Advocates fear it could gut many of the features of the program, which goes beyond early education services.
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For now, providers and advocates say parents should continue to enroll their children.
“Head Start programs will remain open. We will continue to offer services as currently designed. And that won't change until all of this is ultimately resolved,” said Luis Bautista, executive director of early learning at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, which serves around 7,000 children in Head Start through local organizations.
The proposed rule will now undergo a 60-day public comment period.
How you can submit public comment on the proposed Head Start changes
Members of the public have until Oct. 6 to submit comments on the proposed rule change. You can do so by:
- Submitting a comment online: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/ACF-2026-0595-0001
- Emailing a comment to Deregulation@acf.hhs.gov and including the docket number ACF-2026-0595 and/or RIN number 0970-AD30 in the subject line of the message.
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“We want to make sure that everyone is involved in raising their voice and providing feedback,” Bautista said.
After the public comment period closes, the federal government is expected to analyze the comments before moving forward.
Bautista and others said it’s possible that if some changes go through, there could be litigation that also puts off implementation.
”A lot of times I think people feel because something is proposed, it will just happen, but that is not the case,” said Stacy Lee, who oversees early childhood initiatives at Children Now, an advocacy group for children in California.
“They do have to take public feedback into consideration, and it is documented as part of the process,” Lee said.
The proposed rule marks the latest effort by the Trump administration to reshape the federally-funded program. Previously, the administration tried to eliminate funding for Head Start in an early draft budget before restoring the money.
The administration also tried to ban undocumented children from attending, an effort that's been tied up in court.
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