U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Proposed Rule Threatens Health, Safety, and Future of More Than 30,000 Pennsylvania Children in Head Start
Harrisburg, PA (September 29, 2026) – Early Learning PA (ELPA) is calling on Pennsylvanians to speak out against proposed federal changes to Head Start that could weaken longstanding standards for quality, health, safety, and staffing for children and families across the Commonwealth. As a coalition of policy and advocacy organizations and experts in the science of child health and early childhood development from across Pennsylvania, we oppose the proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, which would roll back critical protections for children and families.