News & Resources
FEATURED PRIORITIES
2026 Early Head Start and Head Start
Head Start has a long history of giving kids a strong start through comprehensive early learning, health, and nutrition services. We are focused on continuing to bolster overall support for this essential program at the federal level.
Appropriations FY2027
For FY2027, Congress should protect, prioritize, and expand these investments in programs including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Early Head Start/Head Start, and the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5).
Child Care is an Affordability Issue
“Affordability anxiety” is particularly high for parents of young children, where child care consistently stands out as one of the most significant and unavoidable expenses.
Modernizing Child Care
Modernizing the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is essential to ensuring more working families can access the quality, affordable child care care they need.
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A Closer Look at HHS’s Head Start Comprehensive Services Data
Head Start is designed to support the whole child and the whole family, which is why comprehensive services are central to the model.
FFYF 2026 Head Start State Fact Sheets
These state fact sheets have data that show the impact of Head Start in all 50 states, including funding, enrollment, unmet need, and the reach of local programs and partnerships.
MEMO: Head Start Message Testing Project
First Five Years Fund, in partnership with First Five Action, conducted a comprehensive messaging project to identify which messages are most effective at building support for Head Start.
Head Start NPRM: Public Comment How-To Guide
On August 7, 2026, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Head Start, a formal announcement published in the Federal Register when an agency intends to add to, …
HEARING: House Education and Workforce Subcommittee Hearing Highlights Importance of Federal and State Partnership in Addressing the Child Care Crisis
The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing on September 2, 2026 to highlight how states are leveraging federal, state, and local funds to address the pervasive need for affordable, quality child care.
Analysis: The Head Start NPRM
Upon initial review and analysis, this resource represents the proposed changes we believe require additional scrutiny or discussion, raise potential concerns, and could warrant official comment.
Searchable Guide: 2026 Head Start NPRM
FFYF has heard directly from providers, parents, and advocates with questions about what this proposal would actually mean for Head Start. We’ve compiled those questions here, along with clear, straightforward answers.
Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 Head Start NPRM
FFYF has heard directly from providers, parents, and advocates with questions about what this proposal would actually mean for Head Start. We’ve compiled those questions here, along with clear, straightforward answers.
State Of Play: The Head Start NPRMs (Rules and Regulation Changes)
As part of a “Child Care Reform Package” released on May 11, the Administration issued four separate policy actions: a Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Final Rule, a Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF) Information Memorandum, and a CCDF Dear Colleague Letter.
Head Start Snapshot: Early Head Start
Early Head Start was established to serve pregnant women and children under age three during a critical developmental period.
Head Start Snapshot: Populations Served
Head Start’s mission goes beyond the classroom: it is designed to reach the children and families who need it most, which is why eligibility is intentionally built around those facing the greatest barriers to opportunity.
