Head Start Gives States New Grant Instructions and More Time
Published Date: 6/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Office of Head Start is updating how states apply for their Head Start State Collaboration Office grants to better support kids and families. States will follow new instructions that focus on teamwork and improving early childhood programs. Current grants get a short extension while the new process gets approved, with fresh 5-year grants coming soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New HSCO Application Instructions
States and territories that receive Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSCO) grants must submit new application materials using updated instructions that focus on coordinating Head Start with state early childhood systems. The application will include brief narrative and structured responses and will be used to align activities with federal priorities; after Paperwork Reduction Act approval, states will have a defined window to submit materials ahead of new 5-year grant awards.
Extension of Current HSCO Grants
Existing HSCO grants will be extended through February 28, 2027, to allow time for Paperwork Reduction Act approval and transition to the new application process. This extension preserves current, non-competing grants for states and territories while OHS finalizes the new application instructions and issues a future application window for new 5-year awards.
Estimated Application Burden Hours
OHS estimates the HSCO Grant Application will involve 52 respondents (the 50 states, DC, and territories), with each respondent submitting 1 response that takes an average of 10.4 hours, for a total estimated annual burden of 540.8 hours. The agency requests public comment on the accuracy of this burden estimate and ways to minimize respondent burden, including automated collection techniques.
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.
2026-21762, Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Unaccompanied Alien Child Health Forms
The Office of Refugee Resettlement is updating health forms for unaccompanied children in their care to make them clearer and easier to use. These changes will improve how health info is shared, including with Homeland Security when needed, and help kids get the care they deserve. Public comments are open until November 25, 2026, with no extra costs expected.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-11881, Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC, Venture Global CP Express, LLC; Notice of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline
Venture Global CP2 LNG and CP Express want to expand their LNG export terminal in Louisiana and the pipeline from Texas to Louisiana. This big project will boost LNG export capacity by 11.7 million tonnes per year and add pipeline capacity for 1,900 million cubic feet daily, costing about $826 million. If you’re interested, you’ve got until the intervention deadline to speak up or get involved!
Next: 2026-11883, Pecans Grown in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas; Continuance Referendum
Pecan growers in 16 states will vote from July 6 to August 3, 2026, on whether to keep the current rules that help manage pecan marketing. Only growers who produce a lot of pecans or own enough pecan acres can vote. This decision affects how pecans are handled and could impact growers’ costs and sales in the future.