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Head Start Policy and Regulations

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Overview Fact Sheet of the Tribal Request for Information

On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published a formal request for information (RFI) in the Federal Register, Request for Information: Office of Head Start Tribal Programs. It solicits comments from the public about the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Head Start programs. Specifically, the RFI asks for public feedback on the rules, regulations, and available training and technical assistance (TTA) that support and impact AIAN Head Start programs.

It is essential for ACF to understand opportunities and challenges facing tribal grant recipients in current Head Start regulations. This is part of the ACF Office of Head Start’s (OHS) commitment to partner with tribal nations and maintain tribal sovereignty by requesting feedback on current policies and programs.

Through this RFI, OHS seeks comment on whether existing rules, regulations, and available TTA regulations on the topics below are optimal for AIAN Head Start programs:

  • Eligibility
  • Program Options
  • Quality Environments
  • Child Health and Safety
  • Tribal Language Preservation, Maintenance, Revitalization, and Restoration
  • Family and Community Engagement
  • Investing in the Workforce
  • Training and Technical Assistance for AIAN Programs
  • Supporting Partnerships with State Systems
  • Facilities
  • Fiscal Operations and Management
  • Early Childhood Systems
  • Other Topics

Resources and materials related to this RFI will be posted to the Tribal Request for Information for Optimal AIAN Services page. Tribal leaders, AIAN Head Start directors and staff, and others are invited watch this informational webinar featuring OHS leaders to learn more about the RFI.

What is the AIAN Head Start program?

OHS manages Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and AIAN Head Start programs that support children’s development from birth to age 5, pregnant women and pregnant people, and their families. In AIAN Head Start programs, OHS partners with tribal nations, states, and territories to deliver research-based, high-quality comprehensive child development services in healthy and safe settings that prepare Native children for school and life.

Region XI programs are those funded by OHS to federally recognized AIAN tribes or consortia of tribes. In fiscal year 2022, a total of 154 AIAN grant recipients were funded to serve 21,871 enrollees — 16,627 (76%) were preschool-age children (ages 3 to 5 years) served in Head Start programs and 5,244 (24%) were infants, toddlers, and pregnant women and pregnant people served in Early Head Start programs.

What is an RFI?

A request for information is a formal process to gather public comments on policy and program questions. RFIs are typically published in the Federal Register and may inform future rulemaking through notices of proposed rulemaking, technical assistance, or program guidance. This RFI focuses specifically on AIAN Head Start programs and its rollout includes a national webinar, tribal consultation, as well as listening sessions and other engagement activities for relevant stakeholders.

Why issue an OHS Tribal RFI?

OHS recognizes the importance of prioritizing and directing resources to AIAN Head Start programs that meet the federal trust responsibility and preserve and promote Native language, culture, and traditions. This RFI will help ensure any changes that need to be made to existing OHS requirements, regulations, and TTA supports are informed by consultation from tribal nations, families, and providers.

This RFI aligns with ACF’s Principles for Working with Federally Recognized Tribes, including the promotion and sustainability of strong nation-to-nation relationships, tribal sovereignty, and transparency in ACF’s actions as public servants.

What is the RFI seeking comment on?

The RFI is organized into topics related to the rules, regulations, and available TTA supports that are best suited for the needs of children, families, and programs in the AIAN Head Start community. The topics are lettered and numbered for reference when submitting public comment and include specific prompts or questions. For example, with respect to topic ‘F’, Family and Community Engagement, OHS would like to understand the barriers programs face when engaging with parents and families. In the RFI under ‘F’, we ask, are the Head Start Program Performance Standards clear and culturally appropriate when explaining the expectations with respect to family engagement?

OHS recommends that commenters provide feedback on topic areas where they have relevant expertise or experience. It is not necessary to respond to every question.

A. Eligibility

A.1 Eligibility Processes
A.2 Public Assistance
A.3 Enrolling Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness

B. Program Options

B.1 Program Options
B.2 Waivers

C. Quality Environments

C.1 Early Learning Outcomes Framework
C.2 Curriculum
C.3 Indoor and Outdoor Space

D. Child Health and Safety

E. Tribal Language Preservation, Maintenance, Revitalization, and Restoration

F. Family and Community Engagement

G. Investing in the Workforce

G.1 Retention, Recruitment, Compensation, and Benefits
G.2 Teacher Qualifications

H. Training and Technical Assistance for AIAN Programs

H.1 TTA Materials and Resources
H.2 TTA Funding for Programs

I. Supporting Partnerships with State Systems

J. Facilities

K. Fiscal Operations and Management

L. Early Childhood Systems

M. Other Topics

Please note that feedback is not restricted to these topics, subtopics, or their associated prompts. Reference topic “M” to indicate other areas of interest or concern.

Who can comment?

OHS is seeking feedback from:

  • Tribal leaders
  • AIAN Head Start program administrators and staff
  • Others who are impacted directly by OHS AIAN requirements, including but not limited to:
    • Child care providers
    • Current federal and nonfederal technical assistance providers
    • National organizations
    • Researchers
    • Philanthropic groups
    • Families
    • Tribal community members

Every comment received will be reviewed and can be submitted anonymously.

How is feedback submitted?

Submit comments by Sept. 16, 2024:

To ensure OHS can effectively address comments, please identify the topics as indicated by the number/letter convention above (e.g., A.3, H.2, K). Indicate the source or level of any barrier, as well as the types of child care providers and settings (e.g., centers, family child care homes, in-home) that are impacted. There is no penalty or disqualification for mislabeling a comment according to the guidance above.

All comments will be posted publicly to regulations.gov. Please do not submit confidential information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. If you wish to remain anonymous, enter “N/A” in the required field.

Find tips on how to navigate the Federal Register website, draft effective comments, and submit comments for consideration.

« Go to Tribal Request for Information 2024

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