For more than 60 years, Head Start has given children from families facing poverty a strong start in school and in life. At Denise Louie Education Center, that means children of immigrant, refugee, and low-income families learning, growing, and being seen for who they are. Now that promise is at risk.
What’s happening
On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed rescinding the Head Start Program Performance Standards. It would replace 133 pages of protections for children with about 19. The public can comment until October 6, 2026, and every comment must be reviewed.
What it would mean for children and families
- Fewer families could enroll. SNAP would no longer qualify families automatically, and self-attestation for income and birth certificates would end. Over half of DLEC’s current families would be affected.
- English-only classrooms. Home-language support, bilingual staffing requirements, and translation help for families would be removed.
- Health and wellness supports cut. Mental health consultation, developmental screenings, help finding health care, and daily toothbrushing would no longer be required.
- Weaker protections for children with disabilities. Referral timelines and early intervention coordination would be removed.
- Less time learning. Minimum program time could drop to as little as 3 hours a day.
- Deep cuts to the systems that hold it all together. Administrative funding would be capped at 5% instead of 15%, a loss of over $600,000 for DLEC.
What hasn’t changed
These rules are proposed, not final. Our classrooms, teachers, and family services are here today, and we will keep serving families the way we always have.
Submit a comment by October 6
- Learn more: Start Early (https://linktr.ee/headstartnprm) or Washington State Head Start/ECEAP Association hub (wsaheadstarteceap.com/head-
start-nprm-hub) - Use our step-by-step guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BnKPdYNg78QTRDSVHZaQOvrJa-huaFT8/edit
- Tell your story. Why does Head Start matter to you, your family, or your community? Personal comments in your own words carry the most weight.
Submit Your Comment:
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