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Source: Education Forward Arizona. Original article available at the link below; full text pasted below. https://mailchi.mp/05ce31d2a304/a-first-look-at-our-new-education-to-workforce-series-14028845?e=96fd746e14 Head Start is more than child care. It is an investment in Arizona’s children, families, workforce and economy. Today, 17,000 Arizona children rely on Head Start for high-quality early learning and critical health, developmental, nutrition, mental health and family s

The Trump administration could remove federal standards for the early education program, leaving more decisions up to states. by Noor Haghighi Source: AZPM Original article available at the link below; full text pasted below. https://news.azpm.org/s/103921-families-need-an-ecosystem-of-support-proposed-changes-to-head-start-could-put-vulnerable-arizona-families-at-risk/ Gabby Berryhill’s 5-year-old son, Lincoln, is off to kindergarten this year. He still struggles to speak, b

BY SHIRA TANZER Source: KTAR News. Original article available at the link below; full text pasted below. https://ktar.com/arizona-education/ruben-gallego-head-start-changes PHOENIX — Arizona U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego is pushing back on proposed changes to the federal Head Start early learning and development program. Gallego met with local Head Start providers and parents Friday to hear their thoughts on the proposal. He said that with already long lines to get into childcare c

Under state standards, metrics like adult-to-child ratios and accessibility would worsen, according to a Children’s Equity Project analysis. Naaz Modan Senior Reporter Source: K-12 Dive. Original article available at the link below; full text pasted below. https://www.k12dive.com/news/how-would-head-start-programs-fare-if-federal-standards-are-pared-down/828173/ What would happen to Head Start programs if they began to follow state childcare licensing standards instead of

Source: Read on Arizona. Original article available at the link below; full text pasted beneath. https://readonarizona.org/news/proposed-changes-to-head-start-could-affect-program-quality-public-comment-open-through-oct-6/ On August 7, 2026, the Administration for Children and Families, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, proposed significant changes to Head Start, the nation’s high-quality early education program for children from low-income families. E

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Article by Arizona NPRM PBS: ‘Families need an ecosystem of support:’ proposed changes to Head Start could put vulnerable Arizona families at risk. Featured: Parent Advocate Gabby Berryhill, Children's Action Alliance Director of Early Care and Education, Kyrstyn Paulat and Child Abuse and Prevention Executive Director, Claire Louge

Read Here: Arizona Daily Start- News Article Featuring: CEO/Head Start Director Erin Lyons and Parent Advocate Gabby Berryhill from Child Parent Center

View Interview by Arizona PBS: Trump Administration’s plans to remodel Head Start program

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What is happening to Head Start? On August 7, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services shared proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Although Head Start is organized under and somewhat protected by the Head Start Act, the Standards set expectations for quality and many of the services provided. What is being proposed? The proposal indicates a desire to eliminate key elements of the Standards and instead follow state requirements. While ther

Child-Parent Centers calls for urgent action to restore federal funding in support of Head Start Programs at risk of closure. Read Press Prelease here

130 organizations issued a joint statement urging Congress to take action to protect Head Start by ending the federal shutdown now. To read the statement and see the organizations that signed on please visit this link.

WASHINGTON – This week, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), a Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Acting Director of the Office of Head Start Tala Hooban demanding they release delayed federal funding for Urban Strategies Early Head Start in Phoenix. Yesterday, Urban Strategies received the funding they were owed. Head Start provides affordable childc

Contact: Jessica Rivera-Garcia Executive Director, Arizona Head Start Association Email: JRG@azheadstart.org Press Release: Statement Regarding HHS announcement Phoenix, July 14, 2025- The Arizona Head Start Association (AZHSA) remains committed to ensuring that every child—regardless of background—has access to quality early education and the foundational support they need to thrive. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a press release last Thursd

Contact: Jessica Rivera-Garcia Executive Director, Arizona Head Start Association Email: JRG@azheadstart.org Press Release: Head Start Funding at Risk - Here's How You Can Help Phoenix, April 28, 2025 – The Head Start community urgently requests that all Arizonans take immediate action regarding a potential threat to Head Start funding. According to a recent article in USA TODAY published on April 11, the Trump administration is considering a budget proposal that would elim