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119-s-2166119th CongressWALLET

Head Start for Our Future Act

Sponsored By: Senator Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Introduced

Summary

Would add child development and early learning to the Federal Work-Study program so students can work in Head Start and Early Head Start. It would also require these placements to follow Head Start personnel rules and include clear supervision and staffing-ratio safeguards.

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  • College students and student workers: Would become eligible for Federal Work-Study pay when placed in Head Start or Early Head Start roles. They must follow program personnel policies, may not be left alone with children, and do not count toward staff-to-child ratios.
  • Children and families in Head Start programs: Would retain safety protections because students in work-study must be supervised by regular staff and cannot replace required staff for ratios.
  • Colleges and Head Start programs: Would have to give written assurances before hiring that any work-study student will meet Head Start Act hiring and performance requirements.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Work-study at Head Start Programs

If enacted, students in the Federal Work-Study program would be allowed to work at Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The change adds "child development and early learning" to the list of eligible community-service placements. This would create more paid placement options for eligible college students. It would take effect upon enactment.

Protections for Head Start Work-Study Students

If enacted, Head Start and Early Head Start programs hiring Federal Work-Study students would have to meet certain staffing requirements before hiring. Students would need to follow the program's personnel policies. Students could not be left alone with any child and would not count toward staff-to-child ratios. Colleges would have to give assurances that programs will follow these rules. This would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

    ME • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/20/2025

  • Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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