Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110
§9852c General Provisions
Title 42 › CHAPTER 105 — COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS › SUBCHAPTER II — HEAD START PROGRAMS › § 9852c
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services staff and contractors may not require or control what curriculum, instruction, or materials Head Start programs use. Head Start and local school districts may not force each other to adopt a specific curriculum. When the law says "health" for enrolled children, their parents, or siblings, it means both physical and mental health.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §9852c
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Limitation
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize or permit the Secretary or any employee or contractor of the Department of Health and Human Services to mandate, direct, or control, the selection of a curriculum, a program of instruction, or instructional materials, for a Head Start program.
(b)Special rule
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize a Head Start program or a local educational agency to require the other to select or implement a specific curriculum or program of instruction.
(c)Definition
In this subchapter, the term “health”, when used to refer to services or care provided to enrolled children, their parents, or their siblings, shall be interpreted to refer to both physical and mental health.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 9852c
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110