The Trump administration on Thursday announced a proposed overhaul of the federal Head Start program that would give states more control over preschool standards and could reduce administrative costs by an estimated $2.2 billion.The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says the proposed changes could preserve or create up to 236,000 Head Start slots.The proposal would remove several federal mandates and emphasize parents as a child’s "primary teachers." It would also establish new nutrition and physical fitness guidelines."Head Start began as a bold commitment to the health, dignity, and potential of every child.
My uncle, Sarge Shriver, founded the program on a simple conviction: strong families, wholesome nutrition, and healthy childhood development can change the course of a child’s life," HHS Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.
said in a statement.AMERICA’S CHILD CARE CRISIS NEEDS MORE PARENTAL FREEDOM — NOT MORE WASHINGTON CONTROLHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.
delivers remarks during an event at HHS headquarters on Aug.10, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
The event highlighted actions aimed at improving the nation's food supply and advancing the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.(Win McNamee/Getty Images)"Today, we are returning Head Start to those roots," he added.
"We are removing unnecessary bureaucracy, strengthening nutrition and physical health, trusting parents and local communities, and opening Head Start to hundreds of thousands more children.That’s how we renew the promise of Head Start for the next generation." Head Start, established in 1965, helps low-income children prepare for school and serves them from birth to age five.
It provides early education, health screenings, healthy meals and other services.The administration says the overhaul aims to reverse recent enrollment declines under the Biden administration.The proposed changes would restructure parent committees that advise on...