As County Superintendent of Schools, I want our community to know that the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is advocating for children, families, and early learning programs as the federal government considers proposed changes to the Head Start Program. 

For more than 60 years, Head Start has helped children and families by providing early learning opportunities, health and nutrition services, family support, and other resources that help children succeed in school and in life. These services make a meaningful difference for families throughout Santa Clara County and across the nation. 

On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a proposal that would change the rules and requirements for Head Start programs. The proposal is open for public comment through October 6, 2026. 

Some of the proposed changes may help reduce paperwork and give local programs more flexibility to meet the needs of their communities. This could allow programs to spend more time focused on serving children and families. 

At the same time, it is important to carefully review how these changes could affect the quality of services families receive. Head Start's current standards help support safe learning environments, strong family partnerships, health and nutrition services, qualified staff, and support for children who are learning more than one language. These are important parts of a high-quality early learning experience. 

SCCOE is working with early childhood organizations, statewide partners, and advocates across California to review the proposal and make sure the needs of children and families are represented. We plan to submit formal comments during the public review period. 

Our goal is simple: support changes that help programs serve families more effectively while also protecting the high-quality services and opportunities that children deserve. Every child should have access to a strong start in life, and every family should have access to the support they need to help their children thrive. 

We will continue to monitor this process, share updates with our community, and advocate for policies that support children, families, and the future of early learning.​