Head Start Ditches COVID Rules: Deregulation Hits Playtime
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting February 17, 2026, Head Start programs won’t have to follow the COVID-19 mitigation policy rule anymore. This change affects all Head Start centers, removing the need to create special COVID-19 plans with their health advisors. It’s a move to cut red tape and make things simpler, with no new costs involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Head Start COVID-19 Policy Requirement Removed
Starting February 17, 2026 (unless adverse comments are received by January 20, 2026), Head Start programs will no longer be required to have an evidence-based COVID-19 mitigation policy developed in consultation with their Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee (HMHSAC). The rule rescinds paragraph 1302.47(b)(9) from the Head Start Program Performance Standards and applies to all Head Start centers.
Paperwork Burden Cut — $17,312 Annual Savings
ACF estimates this rescission will save about $17,312 per year by removing an OMB-approved recordkeeping requirement (OMB control number 0970-0148) tied to updating program policies and procedures. The estimate is based on eliminating 320 annual burden hours at a fully loaded wage rate of $54.10, with a present value of $0.23 million and $0.02 million in annualized terms (2024 dollars, 7% discount rate).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16414, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2008. The proposed rule would have amended the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 and the appendices to Part 1355 to modify the requirements for States to collect and report data to ACF on children in out-of-home care and in subsidized adoption or guardianship arrangements with the State. This document also withdraws the provision of the 2008 proposed rule that implemented the AFCARS penalty requirements of the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-145).
2026-16134, Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs
This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies delivering the services and to parents as the primary caregivers and decision-makers for their children; reduce unnecessary duplication of Head Start regulations with Federal statute and other regulations; and emphasize the critical role of health, nutrition, and physical exercise for young children.
2026-11530, Employment and Training Services for Noncustodial Parents in the Child Support Program; Rescission
The government plans to cancel a recent rule that let child support agencies offer job training to noncustodial parents using federal funds. This change affects agencies and parents involved in the child support program and could shift how support services are funded and delivered. Comments on this proposal are open until August 10, 2026, so folks have time to weigh in before it’s final.
2026-09383, Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632, Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-20265, Proposed Information Collection Activity; U.S. Repatriation Forms
The U.S. government wants to keep using and update 13 forms that help Americans who come back from tough situations abroad, like war or illness, and need short-term support. These forms help provide temporary aid like money, medical care, and housing for up to 90 days. If you have thoughts, speak up by December 1, 2026, as this extension will keep things running smoothly without extra costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23425, Special Assessment Collection
The FDIC is lowering the special assessment rate banks pay to cover losses from protecting uninsured depositors, dropping it from 3.36 to 2.97 basis points starting December 19, 2025. Banks affected by this will also get credits if the FDIC collects more than needed after key legal cases and receiverships end. This change helps keep fees fair and avoids overcharging while recovering costs responsibly.
Next: 2025-23460, Excise Tax on Repurchase of Corporate Stock; Correction
The IRS fixed some small mistakes in the rules about the excise tax on companies buying back their own stock. These corrections clear up confusing parts of the original rules that started applying after December 31, 2022. If you’re a company dealing with stock repurchases, these updates take effect December 19, 2025, so keep an eye on your tax paperwork!